The Final Word Cricket Podcast

Season 14, Episode 23: Finally, a normal weekly show. Plenty going on, with both men's Ashes teams getting clobbered for slow over rates, deservedly, and the women's Ashes teams gearing up for the three ODIs that will decide the destination of the trophy. Also this week, India get ready for some Caribbean Test cricket, Dominica is back on the schedule after its awful hurricane, the Bangladesh Prime Minister gets herself involved in a Tamim Iqbal story, the Dutch reach the ODI World Cup, and we talk to Cam Ponsonby from Houston ahead of Major League Cricket. Your Nerd Pledge number for this week: 2.24 - David Whiteley The Final Word Live show in London is on July 26. Tickets here. Or get 50% off if you join Patreon first. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Visit westfield.com/united-kingdom/London to see everywhere you can eat, shop and play in Europe’s largest shopping centre. Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More Extra, Less Ordinary! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ashes, 3rd Test at Headingley, Day 5: No play on what would have been the last day, but plenty to think about. Three Tests, three close finishes, and a series that has been all twists and turns with barely a quiet hour. Who has come out of it well, who has struggled, what are some of the moves that might come next? We have it all on The Final Word. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Visit westfield.com/united-kingdom/London to see everywhere you can eat, shop and play in Europe’s largest shopping centre. Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More Extra, Less Ordinary! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ashes, 3rd Test at Headingley, Day 4: Who doesn't love a last-day run chase? It was Day 4 at Headingley, it was a Sunday, and it wasn't quite 2019, but it wasn't a million miles away. Plenty of angst, tension, twists and turns from the final day of this third Ashes Test, with salutations to Harry Brook and Mitchell Starc. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Visit westfield.com/united-kingdom/London to see everywhere you can eat, shop and play in Europe’s largest shopping centre. Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More Extra, Less Ordinary! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Women's Ashes, 3rd T20 at Lord's, Day 8: The series is STILL alive! The mighty Australians have lost a T20 series for the first time in six years, England take them down for the second match running, in front of yet another record crowd, this time at Lord's. A triumph in general, and a triumph for the home team - now they need to keep on winning in the ODI series to follow. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Visit westfield.com/united-kingdom/London to see everywhere you can eat, shop and play in Europe’s largest shopping centre. Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More Extra, Less Ordinary! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ashes, 3rd Test at Headingley, Day 3: Rain, delays, leaden skies, then finally coming out to bat, it was all in favour of England. It was all going the way of Woakes, Broad, Wood. And then Travis Head happened, again. Just another chapter in this endlessly wild Ashes series. Perfectly set up for a finish on Day 4. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Visit westfield.com/united-kingdom/London to see everywhere you can eat, shop and play in Europe’s largest shopping centre. Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More Extra, Less Ordinary! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ashes, 3rd Test at Headingley, Day 2: It was all set up with a Yorkshire pair coming to the middle in Yorkshire, but Pat Cummins had other ideas. Then Mark Wood had other ideas to that. Then Ben Stokes had the same idea as Ben Stokes usually has. Has there been a normal day of cricket in this series? No! The hits just keep on coming, as do the Steve Smith bright ideas. Until he started batting. Another truly bonkers day, get into it. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Visit westfield.com/united-kingdom/London to see everywhere you can eat, shop and play in Europe’s largest shopping centre. Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More Extra, Less Ordinary! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ashes, 3rd Test at Headingley, Day 1: Here we are in Leeds. A fast track, plenty of pace and bounce, and a fast bowler to make use of it with Mark Wood coming back. But, wait, a minute, what's that? Is that... is that Mitchell Marsh's music? What an opening day of the third Test! Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Visit westfield.com/united-kingdom/London to see everywhere you can eat, shop and play in Europe’s largest shopping centre. Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More Extra, Less Ordinary! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Women's Ashes, 2nd T20 at The Oval, Day 7: The series is alive! England needed to win five in a row to have a shot at taking the trophy off Australia... and they have their first. A record-breaking night at The Oval: crowd, runs, and the bloody length of that Georgia Wareham six. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Visit westfield.com/united-kingdom/London to see everywhere you can eat, shop and play in Europe’s largest shopping centre. Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More Extra, Less Ordinary! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ashes, 3rd Test at Headingley, Day 0: Just three days since Lord's and we'll be back in action at Leeds, in one of the more febrile Ashes environments imaginable. The day before play, Bharat Sundaresan has already been having some run-ins with the local Yorkshire police, and Adam is at Headingley with him while Geoff heads to the Women's Ashes game in London. England have made a stack of changes, Australia will make one and perhaps two - but is there a bigger surprise in the works? Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Visit westfield.com/united-kingdom/London to see everywhere you can eat, shop and play in Europe’s largest shopping centre. Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More Extra, Less Ordinary! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 14, Episode 22: A day after the wildness at Lord's, we look back and try to take its measure. Meanwhile, in the world beyond the ground, the story has only got bigger. Adam and Geoff try to puzzle out the conflict. Then we speak to Wisden's Yas Rana about English cricket's ICEC report into discrimination, and the recommendations to change it. Plus the World Cup qualifiers and - at last - a World Cup schedule. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Visit westfield.com/united-kingdom/London to see everywhere you can eat, shop and play in Europe’s largest shopping centre. Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More Extra, Less Ordinary! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ashes, 2nd Test at Lord's, Day 5: What the absolute fridge. That was Headingley Mach II for a while, with Ben Stokes reaching heights that seemingly only he can find. It was a grudge match, too, with Lord's ridden with angst. And it was a fast bowling vindication in the end, as the bouncer war was finally won. Angry fans, discontent, invocations of the Spirit of Cricket, and some very ugly scenes in the Long Room - this end to the Test was extraordinary, unedifying, and all kinds of other things besides. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Visit westfield.com/united-kingdom/London to see everywhere you can eat, shop and play in Europe’s largest shopping centre. Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More Extra, Less Ordinary! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Women's Ashes, 1st T20 at Edgbaston, Day 6: A stunning day for women's cricket, with nearly 20,000 filling Edbgaston for the start of the T20 series. Daniel Norcross and Henry Moeran were there with Geoff and Adam sidelined by the scheduling clash with the Lord's Test. A Sophia Dunkley milestone, an Amy Jones hometown moment, and another ice-cold Beth Mooney masterclass would follow. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Visit westfield.com/united-kingdom/London to see everywhere you can eat, shop and play in Europe’s largest shopping centre. Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More Extra, Less Ordinary! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ashes, 2nd Test at Lord's, Day 4: The days don't get any quieter. Bouncer wars. Bizarro Steve Smith stuff. Nathan Lyon batting on one leg. A late burst from Mitchell Starc, a late burst from Pat Cummins. Another controversial catch, or non catch. The chance of a big chase, still alive overnight, with Ben Stokes still there. We had it all. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Visit westfield.com/united-kingdom/London to see everywhere you can eat, shop and play in Europe’s largest shopping centre. Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More Extra, Less Ordinary! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ashes, 2nd Test at Lord's, Day 3: If life is all about about learning things and getting better, then England missed that directive. More madness on the third day at Lord's, before the Australians responded with sanity, though this came amidst a bowling contest that was as gripping as they come. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Visit westfield.com/united-kingdom/London to see everywhere you can eat, shop and play in Europe’s largest shopping centre. Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More Extra, Less Ordinary! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ashes, 2nd Test at Lord's, Day 2: What on earth was that? Another manic day of Test match cricket as England were set a challenge and went after it in wild style. Nobody knew what they were seeing, but most of them had some fun. Plus a bunch of Steve Smith records, and an injury that could shape the series. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Visit westfield.com/united-kingdom/London to see everywhere you can eat, shop and play in Europe’s largest shopping centre. Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More Extra, Less Ordinary! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ashes, 2nd Test at Lord's, Day 1: After a lot of talk, it's time for the second Test. England won the toss and bowled under cloudy skies, but things went every which way from there: some David Warner, a lot of Steve Smith, and a healthy dash of Joe Root involved. Quite the occasion in front of a packed crowd. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Visit westfield.com/united-kingdom/London to see everywhere you can eat, shop and play in Europe’s largest shopping centre. Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More Extra, Less Ordinary! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Adam and Rachel's Wedding, Day 1: You asked, so you shall receive. Adam decided to get married in the middle of an Ashes series, so his wedding gets the regular TFW Daily treatment, from the rooftop drinks reception after the ceremony in central London. Thanks to previous TFW guest hosts Daniel Norcross, Bharat Sundaresan, Isabelle Westbury, Ben Jones and Henry Moeran. And yes, Geoff did his shopping at Westfield. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 14, Episode 21: It’s all we talk about. Everyone who watches cricket will go on about the pitch - too flat, too fast, too dry, too green - and almost none of us knows anything about them How are they made? What do the adjectives mean? What is the process? In a special request episode for Enthusiast level Nerd Pledger Simon Wallace, we find out, with Lord’s head groundsman, or curator if you will, Karl McDermott. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Visit westfield.com/united-kingdom/London to see everywhere you can eat, shop and play in Europe’s largest shopping centre. Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More Extra, Less Ordinary! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Women's Ashes Test, Trent Bridge, Day 5: We're never got to type that before! It ended quickly on the fifth morning, but a memorable result with a very memorable Ash Gardner performance. A double ton plus two ten-wicket matches? Stop it. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Visit westfield.com/united-kingdom/London to see everywhere you can eat, shop and play in Europe’s largest shopping centre. Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More Extra, Less Ordinary! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Women's Ashes Test, Trent Bridge, Day 4: Ok, the rollercoaster has started again. This match twisted and turned on Day 4 in ways that we would not have anticipated on the previous three. A glorious session from England, then a terrible one, a remarkable solo performance from Sophie Ecclestone, and a day of interesting work from Alyssa Healy. It's all to play for one Day 5. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Visit westfield.com/united-kingdom/London to see everywhere you can eat, shop and play in Europe’s largest shopping centre. Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More Extra, Less Ordinary! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Women's Ashes Test, Trent Bridge, Day 3: A historic day: no England woman had ever made a double century before, in any format, and now that has changed forever. Tammy Beaumont, takes a bow. There was plenty of toil for the Australians, then some impressive bowling at the back end. Three days done, and this match could go anywhere from here. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Visit westfield.com/united-kingdom/London to see everywhere you can eat, shop and play in Europe’s largest shopping centre. Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More Extra, Less Ordinary! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Women's Ashes Test, Trent Bridge, Day 2: Annabel Sutherland achieved something significant on the second day, and helped her team a long way in the process. But England have responded in barnstorming style as the runs continue to flow. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Visit westfield.com/united-kingdom/London to see everywhere you can eat, shop and play in Europe’s largest shopping centre. Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More Extra, Less Ordinary! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Women's Ashes Test, Trent Bridge, Day 1: On a fast track with good bounce, the runs flowed and the wickets eventually came. Ellyse Perry made a stunning 99, Australia's next tier of all-rounders made their mark, and Sophie Ecclestone put in a huge shift. Thoroughly entertaining on Day 1. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Visit westfield.com/united-kingdom/London to see everywhere you can eat, shop and play in Europe’s largest shopping centre. Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More Extra, Less Ordinary! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 14, Episode 20: Well, with a night and a day to think about, we can start to come to terms with what we saw in Birmingham yesterday. An extraordinary day, with some bigger themes to come out of it than what we could address in the Daily show looking more at the action on the field. Also this week, our preview of the Women's Ashes Test with Geoff at Trent Bridge in Nottingham, and we look at some remarkable results from the 2023 World Cup qualifiers. Your Nerd Pledge number for this week: 3.62 - Tim Unwin Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Visit westfield.com/united-kingdom/London to see everywhere you can eat, shop and play in Europe’s largest shopping centre. Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More Extra, Less Ordinary! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ashes, 1st Test at Edgbaston, Day 5: What a finish. What a day. One of the all-time great Test matches, one of the closest results. The rhymes of history were all there, but we didn't think it could be as good. We were wrong. Don't read any more, just listen. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Visit westfield.com/united-kingdom/London to see everywhere you can eat, shop and play in Europe’s largest shopping centre. Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More Extra, Less Ordinary! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ashes, 1st Test at Edgbaston, Day 4: Hooollly schmackerel. We have a blazing Test match on our hands. England went utterly wild on the fourth day, brilliantly and mad-eyed, especially Joe Root. Australia fought like hell to hold them back, especially Nathan Lyon and Pat Cummins. And then England set them 281 to win, when in 2005 this Test required 282. It's fate. There was still time for a Broad special. Don't miss the last act. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Visit westfield.com/united-kingdom/London to see everywhere you can eat, shop and play in Europe’s largest shopping centre. Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More Extra, Less Ordinary! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ashes, 1st Test at Edgbaston, Day 3: There was rain, but it only added to the atmosphere in a brilliant short burst on the third afternoon. England were feeling pretty good with the ball but have early worries with the bat. Almost level on the first innings, the Test is brilliantly set up after three days. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Visit westfield.com/united-kingdom/London to see everywhere you can eat, shop and play in Europe’s largest shopping centre. Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More Extra, Less Ordinary! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's Story Time, our weekly walk through cricket history via your listener quiz challenges. This week, a special episode recorded after the first day of the first Ashes Test. A little weariness makes for more contemplation, and a lot more being sidetracked. Come for the cricket, stay for the examination of historical conspiracy theories, and a journey through terrible sport team names. Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week: 1.34 - Lauren Kandasamy 4.80 - George Pearson 13.63 - Anna Collins 2.64 - Rory Seymour & Liam Jolliffe Revisits 3.43 - Stuart Akers 7.00 - Matt Gaynor Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ashes, 1st Test at Edgbaston, Day 2: Another ridiculously good day, with a Broad morning and a Khawaja afternoon. Two in two, lots of misses, and the worst hat-trick ball in history - get it all on The Final Word. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Visit westfield.com/united-kingdom/London to see everywhere you can eat, shop and play in Europe’s largest shopping centre. Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More Extra, Less Ordinary! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ashes, 1st Test at Edgbaston, Day 1: And we're away. England batted first and kinda tried to Bazball, but it didn't entirely come off. Joe Root played a blinder, Jonny Bairstow made a comeback, Harry Brook had one of the strangest dismissals you'll ever see. Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland impressed again, Josh Hazlewood looked good. And there was a real twist ending to the day. Find out about it all with The Final Word. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Visit westfield.com/united-kingdom/London to see everywhere you can eat, shop and play in Europe’s largest shopping centre. Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More Extra, Less Ordinary! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ashes, 1st Test at Edgbaston, Day 0: We're almost ready. The day before the action starts, Adam and Geoff get together in the Hollies Stand - quiet now, but not for long. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Visit westfield.com/united-kingdom/London to see everywhere you can eat, shop and play in Europe’s largest shopping centre. Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More Extra, Less Ordinary! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 14, Episode 19: It's only been 18 months since the last time the urn was played for but it feels like an eternity. For England, everything really has changed since Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes took over a broken side. Now, for the series this has all been leading up to - The Ashes. And they take this with Moeen Ali back in the team after having not touched a red ball for the better part of two years. Ali Martin, another Birmingham native, knows the England all-rounder well and joins us to piece that together. Also on the show: WTC washup, Bluey does cricket, the Lottie Cup stays put, and Heather Knight's side name their Test squad for Trent Bridge. Recorded on location at Westfield London. Your Nerd Pledge number for this week: 14.50 - Sam Davies Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Visit westfield.com/united-kingdom/London to see everywhere you can eat, shop and play in Europe’s largest shopping centre. Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More Extra, Less Ordinary! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's Story Time, our weekly walk through cricket history via your listener quiz challenges. This week, a lot of different threads lead us back to a certain European autumn over a century ago. There is also a dusty week in Sydney, the 1008 names of Lord Shiva, one of the most forgotten domestic competitions ever, a pioneering slip catcher, and the biggest day in Birmingham. All recorded on a hot summer day in Adam's garden with the bumblebees bumbling about. Wholesome as, tuck in. Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week: 2.52 - Jack S 2.78 - Shounak Sarkar 7.50 - Jonathan Aspin Revisits 7.00 - Jon Lansdell 6.80 - Owen 3.39 - Pat Rodgers 5.28 - Paul Murphy 4.39 - Vanessa Collins 3.57 - Alan Simpson 4.89 - Edward Greggs Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

World Test Championship, India v Australia Day 5: It started with expectation but it ended expeditiously. Scott Boland and those short bursts of time, hey? Find out how everything came together on the last day of the WTC final. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Visit westfield.com/united-kingdom/London to see everywhere you can eat, shop and play in Europe’s largest shopping centre. Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More Extra, Less Ordinary! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

World Test Championship, India v Australia Day 4: You'll hear a lot about controversy today, so let's rip into it first. The catch that was, from Cameron Green off Shubman Gill. Also, more important work from Carey, and some fire and ice from Kohli and Rahane. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Visit westfield.com/united-kingdom/London to see everywhere you can eat, shop and play in Europe’s largest shopping centre. Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More Extra, Less Ordinary! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

World Test Championship, India v Australia Day 3: A classic day at The Oval as India came back into the contest, throwing the bat and then delivering with the ball, while Australia went blow for blow at times but lacked the polish at key moments. Compelling, even though India remain behind in the contest. Ajinkya Rahane, Shardul Thakur, Pat Cummins and Scott Boland were all prominent. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Visit westfield.com/united-kingdom/London to see everywhere you can eat, shop and play in Europe’s largest shopping centre. Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More Extra, Less Ordinary! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

World Test Championship, India v Australia Day 2: It started in a hurry with a Steve Smith hundred, but the game changed several times from there. India's bowlers did some hard work, Alex Carey combined the classy and the comical, then Australia's bowlers found something extra. Don't miss a packed day from The Oval. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Visit westfield.com/united-kingdom/London to see everywhere you can eat, shop and play in Europe’s largest shopping centre. Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More Extra, Less Ordinary! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

World Test Championship, India v Australia Day 1: It was long awaited, then it was here. A high-octane morning session from Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj, then a spectacular riposte from Travis Head, and the anticipation was deserved. Find out all about day one from London. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Visit westfield.com/united-kingdom/London to see everywhere you can eat, shop and play in Europe’s largest shopping centre. Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More Extra, Less Ordinary! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

WTC Final, India v Australia - preview: Two years after India slipped up in the decider against New Zealand they've made it again, this time up against Pat Cummins' Australians in a true heavyweight bout. The first Test Match to ever be played at The Oval in June, there's a lot to consider at the selection table, especially for Rohit Sharma's side - are they really going into this with Ashwin? Adam Collins has Bharat Sundaresan with him on the ground in South London. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Visit westfield.com/united-kingdom/London to see everywhere you can eat, shop and play in Europe’s largest shopping centre. Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More Extra, Less Ordinary! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 14, Episode 18: Three years after his first appearance, Cricket Ireland chief executive Warren Deutrom returns to the show for a conversation at Lord's, looking at the structural challenges as they now stand, and the possible impact of the new ICC revenue deal. Also this week, after your hosts played their own match at Alleyn Cricket Club, England's key spinner is out of the Ashes, Josh Hazlewood is out of the WTC final, and we have some very good news pertaining to a Test match that happened in 1977. Your Nerd Pledge number for this week: 3.15 - Ben Connor Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's Story Time, our weekly walk through cricket history via your listener quiz challenges. This week, a show that could also have been titled Wally Grout is Grouse. Where did that word go? Before we ponder that big question, a true sensation of a tale that we had never heard before, about a player trying to take his place in the middle against all medical sense. Plus a couple of the most extraordinary revisit solutions for stubborn unsolved numbers, including more Ramaswamy than even Ramaswamy would have expected. Of all episodes, this week you must stay through to the end. Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week: 2.50 - Chris Arkle 11.40 - Chris Dobbins 8.81 - Haylee Fuller 8.90 - Ramaswamy 2.15 - Joel Emonson 3.67 - Stephen Baxter Revisits 2.93 - Graeme Innes 5.67 - Bala Sivaraman Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

England v Ireland, Lord's Day 3: The Irish had some real fun at last. The match is over in three days but not before Mark Adair and Andy McBrine got to have one of their more enjoyable days with the bat, as the sun shone munificently on a lovely Lord's Saturday. Sometimes cricket just makes you feel good, and this was one of those days. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

England v Ireland, Lord's Day 2: Catch your breath after that one. More than 350 runs in two sessions of batting, most of them off the blades of two players, each of whom set a record in his own way. Ollie Pope and Ben Duckett had a carnival at Lord's on day two of the Test. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

England v Ireland, Lord's Day 1: With very little surprise, we announce that it was a Stuart Broad Day. Not that the Irish didn't show some resistance, especially at the top with McCollum v McCullum. Then it was time for a light dusting of Baz things and a Rorshach Test innings from Zak Crawley. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 14, Episode 17: Running the ECB is one of the toughest gigs in cricket and one that Richard Gould signed up for when returning to the game this year. With a long history as CEO at Somerset and Surrey, he knows the terrain as well as anyone. But the challenges he's inherited - at home finding a resolution to the ongoing debate around The Hundred, or on the international stage with Indian capital dominating the sport in ways unimaginable 15 years ago - he's got his work cut out for him. We had the better part of an hour to speak with Richard at ECB headquarters at Lord's. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Help our Edinburgh Marathon runners raise funds for the Lord's Taverners at bit.ly/eddiemarathon, or learn about other Tavs projects with bit.ly/tavssignup. Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

England v Ireland, Lord's Test 2023: It's almost upon us. The one-off Test at Lord's will repeat the fixture played before the Ashes of 2019, with Andrew Balbirnie's team ready to tackle England fresh off his interview with The Final Word a few weeks ago. We have a new sponsor, and the ground signage is getting very creepy. Eight Test matches in eight weeks begins... now. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 14, Episode 16: Geoff has landed in London and he's straight to Lord's to join Adam, who has just returned from Edinburgh where The Final Word runners did a brilliant job over the long weekend - on and off the track. When the conversation moves to cricket, Bharat jumps on to explain how the Dhoni Touch keeps touching after another CSK triumph at the IPL. There's Test cricket at HQ this week with Ireland in town so we check in with a couple of their stars, and the WTC Final is just around the corner, which brings its own hype. Our biggest summer yet has officially begun. Your Nerd Pledge this week: 3.11 - Max Gillespie Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Help our Edinburgh Marathon runners raise funds for the Lord's Taverners at bit.ly/eddiemarathon, or learn about other Tavs projects with bit.ly/tavssignup. Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's Story Time, our weekly walk through cricket history via your listener quiz challenges. This week, a chance diversion takes us to Dr Erica Larson's work on insects. Adam's childhood dreams of Bob Cowper are realised, three times over, while Andy Whittall keeps bobbing up as well. Eddie Barlow pulls a cool trick, Wisden is scathing about some timid New Zealanders, and we confirm that Harold Larwood did not in fact bowl at 564 miles per hour. Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week: 210.15 - Rob O'Neill 3.07 - Martin Lawrence 7.94 - Eranda Jayawickreme 2.35 - Nick Tewson 7.00 - Matt Gaynor & John Lansdell 2.01 - Ian Wolstenhome Revisits 8.16 - Ramaswamy 4.63 - Tim Andrews 3.17 - Nick Dempsey Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Help our Edinburgh Marathon runners raise funds for the Lord's Taverners at bit.ly/eddiemarathon, or learn about other Tavs projects with bit.ly/tavssignup. Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 14, Episode 15: Ahead of his seventh tour to England, Gideon Haigh has been collecting his writings on the rivalry for a new book, On The Ashes. It's a good time to sit down in Melbourne with one of cricket's most respected thinkers and look over everything, from 1877 to today, and wonder where the game is going next. Gideon's book is out on June 6: pre-orders are through Allen & Unwin here. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Help our Edinburgh Marathon runners raise funds for the Lord's Taverners at bit.ly/eddiemarathon, or learn about other Tavs projects with bit.ly/tavssignup. Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 14, Episode 14: Another week, another Ashes bowler in trouble: Josh Hazlewood only has "side soreness" according to CA, but we know how that has panned out for him lately. In the meantime, Michael Neser continues to do everything he could do in county cricket to fill that berth. And there's Ollie Robinson for England, in a moon boot after another bag of wickets. Will anyone be fit come June? Also this week, Dr Tom Brown joins the show to talk about his program to promote British Asian cricketers, Jodie Hicks wins a gong, CA get involved with the Voice to Parliament campaign, Mackay gets a cricket ground upgrade, and there's plenty of ridiculousness in the County Champs. Your Nerd Pledge this week: 2.10 - Hugh McNaughtan Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Help our Edinburgh Marathon runners raise funds for the Lord's Taverners at bit.ly/eddiemarathon, or learn about other Tavs projects with bit.ly/tavssignup. Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices