The Final Word Cricket Podcast

It's Story Time, our weekly walk through cricket history via your listener quiz challenges. This week, have we found the oldest Jodie Hicks of all? Have we found a rival for Bart King as the best player never to play Test cricket? Have we found a feat that has never been achieved before in the men's game? Have we solved a horrifically cryptic clue? And do we have a wonderful human tale for you about a man named Colin Blythe? You'll know the answers after this. Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week: 1.06 - Joel Emonsen 16.54 - Nick Coutts 2.06 - Vijai Prabudhass 5.12 - Michael Bell 1.40 - Michael Ball 4.64 - James Harding 4.00 - Karan Shah 7.20 - Rudi Edsall 6.23 - Sabareesh Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find other episodes at finalwordcricket.com Get 20% off Woodstock Cricket kit with code TFW20 at woodstockcricket.co.uk Get 44% off a Wisden Cricket Monthly subscription at bit.ly/wcmtfw Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 11, Ep 16: Over a year ago, Cricket Australia knew they had an issue with Justin Langer. Instead of working out a respectful, dignified solution, they put off doing anything until the whole thing fell in a heap. It has been bruising for Langer, for Patrick Cummins, and for anyone else invested in the issue. Goodwill has given way to bad faith. We try to unpick the disaster. Also this week, England's women fall apart to end the Ashes, England's men sack their own coaches, and Australia's squads for the women's World Cup and the Pakistan Tests are named. Your Nerd Pledge number this week: 1.67 - Ewan McDonald Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com 20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk kit with the code TFW20 The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network 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, we burn through a couple of months' worth of numbers that we didn't get right, but this time we're confident. We'll go back to Faisalabad, have a clash of continents, double up in Lancashire, and find the most prolific player to never have a Cricinfo biography. Were we right about Jeff Thomson's real average? What's the finest work done by an Antigua dentist? Why is the host of Bullseye in my hotel room? Find out! Your Nerd Pledge revisits this week: 14.45 - Terry Hogan 6.04 - Jeffrey Gabriel 3.86 - Brian Stratford 4.21 - Kumar Gopalkrishnan 4.14 - Sam Ashworth 6.28 - Declan Lawlor 5.88 - Max Heaton 1.43 - Wayne Holloway 5.67 - Andrew Turner 6.14 - Nikhil Venkatesh 2.07 - Vijay 2.15 - Bryan R. Caine 28.01 - Richard Jansz-Moore 2.39 - Dane Hansted 96.00 - Jeremy Brown 3.82 - Julian King 4.18 - Ed Fowler 4.54 - Chris Unwin 3.45 - Mark Stein 6.43 - Mel Shawley Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find other episodes at finalwordcricket.com Get 20% off Woodstock Cricket kit with code TFW20 at woodstockcricket.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 11, Ep 15: After the wild Test finish in Canberra, it's time to look at what it might mean for women's cricket from here. After that, a busy week in which Cricket Australia has let the Justin Langer saga drag on. Deandra Dottin goes big in South Africa's one-dayers, and the Windies men sneak past England in their T20s. Your Nerd Pledge number this week: 96.00 - Jeremy Brown Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com 20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk kit with the code TFW20 The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network 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. We're back in the swing of things, with the Australian summer's Test matches done with, and the English winter unrelenting. Today, The Kid can only mean one thing to Adam. There's never a bad time to talk about Captain Misbah, and who fancies a trip to Lismore? Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week: 19.51 - Michael Gormley 5.34 - Jake Sheedy & Sean Barry 42.50 - Chris Churches-Lindsay 4.21 - Kumar Gopalkrishnan 4.00 - Dan Walsh and James Heuzenroder 2.39 - Dane Hansted 11.13 - Christopher Byrne Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com 20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk kit with the code TFW20 44% off Wisden Cricket Monthly subscriptions at bit.ly/wcmtfw Check out Brick Lane Brewing on Instagram,FB and Twitter The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is The Final Word Women's Ashes Daily: Day 4 of the Test from Manuka Oval in Canberra. After an insane final hour, it all came down to the final ball and ended in a draw. Hear about it all with Geoff Lemon and Isabelle Westbury. You can support the show at patreon.com/thefinalword Check out previous shows at finalwordcricket.com Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is The Final Word Women's Ashes Daily: Day 2 of the Test from Manuka Oval in Canberra. England struck early, Australia declared. Then Australia struck early, and the English captain dug in. Heather Knight brought up her century as she led her side to 8 for 235 at stumps in reply to Australia's 9 declared for 337. Hear about it all with Geoff Lemon and Isabelle Westbury. You can support the show at patreon.com/thefinalword Check out previous shows at finalwordcricket.com Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is The Final Word Women's Ashes Daily: Day 1 of the Test from Manuka Oval in Canberra. England struck early, Australia fought back, then England struck late. Haynes and Lanning nearly brought up centuries as Australia ended the day on 7 for 327. Hear about it all with Geoff Lemon and Isabelle Westbury. You can support the show at patreon.com/thefinalword Check out previous shows at finalwordcricket.com Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 11, Ep 14: The women's Ashes Test match is about to start, so we were very fortunate to sit down for an hour with England's captain Heather Knight. A chat about leadership, development, and the wider world outside cricket. Also this week, Ireland's series win over the Windies, India's one-dayers in South Africa, and the last few bits of men's Ashes wash-up. Your Nerd Pledge number this week: 48.44 - Shravan Kumar Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com 20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk kit with the code TFW20 44% off Wisden Cricket Monthly subscriptions at bit.ly/wcmtfw Check out Brick Lane Brewing on Instagram,FB and Twitter The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 11, Ep 13: It didn't seem like it would happen for years, but it happened quickly in the end. Virat Kohli is no longer India's captain in any format, resigning from the Test job after a hard-fought 2-1 loss in South Africa. He burned fiercely and for a long time, but perhaps in the end burned out. Harsha Bhogle has watched Kohli's life more closely than most, and joins us to help understand it. Also, men's Ashes aftermath and women's Ashes instability. Your Nerd Pledge number this week: 5.85 - Alexander Davis Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com 20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk kit with the code TFW20 44% off Wisden Cricket Monthly subscriptions at bit.ly/wcmtfw Check out Brick Lane Brewing on Instagram,FB and Twitter The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 11, Ep 12: While we were busy in Sydney, Test cricket was going off elsewhere. Bangladesh! Completed a magnificent win in New Zealand, which felt entirely more important than a less magnificent loss to follow. But the second match said farewell to Ross Taylor, after so many years as the core of the Kiwi order. Also, India are in the middle of a ding-dong battle in South Africa. And the women's Ashes and World Cup could both be in some strife. Your Nerd Pledge number this week: 3.00 - Jane Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com 20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk kit with the code TFW20 44% off Wisden Cricket Monthly subscriptions at bit.ly/wcmtfw Check out Brick Lane Brewing on Instagram,FB and Twitter The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 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. Hello, 2022! It begins as you might expect, with isolation and covid tests (as well as covid Tests). Does Adam have a strong argument for the greatest match ever played? Has Geoff unravelled a unique clue about David Clarence Boon? Let's go via Faisalabad, visit one of the greatest dashers, after starting with an apt connection to the Sydney Cricket Ground. Happy New Year. Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com 20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk kit with the code TFW20 44% off Wisden Cricket Monthly subscriptions at bit.ly/wcmtfw Check out Brick Lane Brewing on Instagram,FB and Twitter The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 11, Ep 11: And a happy new year. As we always do on December 31, The Final Word takes a look back at the year that was. Also, Australia won the Ashes. After England went down 3-0 after barely two days in Melbourne, we get into the thick of the troubles of the game in that country with the perceptive journalist Rory Dollard. Get your free Ashes mag from Wisden Cricket Monthly: pktmags.com/tfwpod 44% off subscriptions at bit.ly/wcmtfw Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com 20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk kit with the code TFW20 Check out Brick Lane Brewing on Instagram,FB and Twitter The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is The Final Word Ashes Daily: Day 3 of the 3rd Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Well that was quick! Hear about it all with Adam Collins and Geoff Lemon. Support the show at patreon.com/thefinalword Check out previous shows at finalwordcricket.com Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is The Final Word Ashes Daily: Day 2 of the 3rd Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. A day that started with drama and ended in drama, just one of those days in Ashes cricket. Hear about it all with Adam Collins and Geoff Lemon. You can support the show at patreon.com/thefinalword Check out previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is The Final Word Ashes Daily: Day 1 of the 3rd Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. A cool and rainy day with some action in the middle. Hear about it all with Adam Collins and Geoff Lemon. You can support the show at patreon.com/thefinalword Check out previous shows at finalwordcricket.com Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 11, Ep 10: Merry Christmas! As we love to do at this time of year, it's time to sit down for a long conversation with a much loved voice of the game. In years past we've had Jim Maxwell, Harsha Bhogle, and Mel Jones at Christmas, this year it's Michael Atherton. A voice of the game and a pen of the game after his years leading England through turbulent times. Get your free Ashes mag from Wisden Cricket Monthly: pktmags.com/tfwpod And 44% off Wisden Cricket Monthly subscriptions at bit.ly/wcmtfw Your Nerd Pledge number this week: 2.32 - Benjmn Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com 20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk kit with the code TFW20 44% off Wisden Cricket Monthly subscriptions at bit.ly/wcmtfw Check out Brick Lane Brewing on Instagram,FB and Twitter The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 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, Adam is recording under a blanket with booster chills, but: can't stop, won't stop. Want to know the silver lining of an Ashes whitewash? The link between Rust Cohle and Gareth Batty? Or learn about the life and times of Syed Abid Ali? Here you go. Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week: 3.54 - Luke Richardson 6.43 - Mel Shawley 3.61 - Fran & Nick O'Connell 5.33 - Trev from Perth 3.11 - Sukrit Munjal Find Matt H's cricket analysis series here. Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com 20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk kit with the code TFW20 44% off Wisden Cricket Monthly subscriptions at bit.ly/wcmtfw Check out Brick Lane Brewing on Instagram,FB and Twitter The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 11, Ep 9: At last, at last, we're back together. Adam, Winnie and Rach have met up with Geoff in the City of Churches, and it feels good to be recording in the same room again. To add to the bonhomie, Ali Martin of the Guardian joins us to talk about England's precarious position heading into the Adelaide Test. Also, Virat Kohli gets punted as India's one-day captain, and Mohammed Rizwan continues a record-breaking year for Pakistan. Get your free Ashes magazine from Wisden Cricket Monthly here: pktmags.com/tfwpod Your Nerd Pledge number this week: 4.59 - Mark Davies Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com 20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk kit with the code TFW20 44% off Wisden Cricket Monthly subscriptions at bit.ly/wcmtfw Check out Brick Lane Brewing on Instagram,FB and Twitter The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 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 sequence of unfortunate timing with some of our numbers - but here's your proof that we don't mess with the spreadsheet. We cover a bit of Lord Gower, the all-round skills of Jolet Hartenhof, when someone was better than Bradman, and the propensity of cricketers to get on the darts. Also don't miss our Aerosmith Broadway production with Derek Pringle. Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week: 4.80 - Jono Haylen 3.86 - Steve Dodkin & Brian Stratford 2.15 - Duncan Davies & Bryan R. Caine 6.52 - Dominic Bowes 6.14 - Nikhil Venkatesh 5.01 - James Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is The Final Word Ashes Daily: Day 1 of the first Test at the Gabba. Safe to say that it was not England's day. Overcast skies, a bit of green in the pitch, and some fierce fast bowling from Australia's new captain. Hear about it all with Adam Collins and Geoff Lemon. You can support the show at patreon.com/thefinalword Check out previous shows at finalwordcricket.com Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 11, Ep 8: Thank providence, this is our last pre-Ashes show. No more predictions and speculation. Except for this week. The teams, the tactics, the insecurities. Some Mariah Carey, some Happy Birthday Sachin, and a lot of time given to the ten wickets of Ajaz Patel. Plus, Tim Peach from the BBC joins the show to talk about the behind-the-scenes podcast he has spent a year making about the process of England's Ashes preparation. Your Nerd Pledge number this week: 2.73 - Ben Finn Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com 20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk kit with the code TFW20 44% off Wisden Cricket Monthly subscriptions at bit.ly/wcmtfw Check out Brick Lane Brewing on Instagram,FB and Twitter The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 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 partially hidden Marsh whose work we have never touched on before. Not Jack, Geoff, Rod, Mitchell or Shaun. Also, back to Betty Wilson and Una Paisley, a visit to Brisbane's combination Lord Mayor and pitch curator, and Wasim in the pub in Manchester. Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week: 3.69 - Steve Moore 3.82 - Julian King 6.04 - Jeffrey Gabriel 4.54 - Chris Unwin 2.60 - Rob Taylor 4.14 - Sam Ashworth 1.51 - Brendan Legg 6.28 - Declan Lawlor Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com 20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk kit with the code TFW20 44% off Wisden Cricket Monthly subscriptions at bit.ly/wcmtfw Check out Brick Lane Brewing on Instagram,FB and Twitter The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 11, Ep 7: With a new COVID variant causing panic in the ranks, the ICC cancelled its Women's World Cup qualifier that was underway in Zimbabwe. But there will be no rescheduling, just the promotion of countries that already sit at the top of the tree. Andrew Nixon joins the show to explain how Thailand, in particular, have been dudded. Also this week: the WBBL final, Ashes selections, and New Zealand hold off India in a classic Test. Your Nerd Pledge number this week: 18.44 - Justin Douglas Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com 20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk kit with the code TFW20 44% off Wisden Cricket Monthly subscriptions at bit.ly/wcmtfw Check out Brick Lane Brewing on Instagram,FB and Twitter The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 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, Daniel Norcross joins the show once again as Adam (read, Winnie) deals with jetlag, allowing the show to start with World War II and take a wintry perambulation through the fields of Daniel's imagination. We have some splendid parts of the story of Laurie Nash, the feats of two direct-hit specialists at cover, another peer through the smoky haze at Dion Nash, and the history of the Tamworth Big Golden Guitar. Plus, New Zealand's special secret... Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week: 2.12 - Darren Smith 1.06 - Jake Cunliffe 6.66 - Graham Jones 2.50 - Sam Brown 4.20 - Peter Tattersall 2.68 - Guy Hornsby 4.18 - Ed and Jamo Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com 20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk kit with the code TFW20 44% off Wisden Cricket Monthly subscriptions at bit.ly/wcmtfw Check out Brick Lane Brewing on Instagram,FB and Twitter The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 11, Ep 6: There was one main story this week: another Australian captain resigning, claims and counterclaims, and a lot of misunderstanding and misinformation. We sit down with The Age's Daniel Brettig to find some more clarity in the tale. Also this week: Nerd Pledge is back, the WBBL finals, Amanda Wellington for Australia, the Shield, and a new chief exec at the ICC. Your Nerd Pledge number this week: 3.73 - Andy Cox Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com 20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk kit with the code TFW20 44% off Wisden Cricket Monthly subscriptions at bit.ly/wcmtfw Check out Brick Lane Brewing on Instagram,FB and Twitter The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 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. Back from the hospital, stitched up and ready to run, here is the second part of our Revisits Only show to clean the slate before launching into the Australian summer. Adam is on a plane to Australia, Geoff will head to Brisbane shortly. And this episode was recorded before Tim Paine fell to an ill-advised stroke, so you won't hear about that here. You will hear about some other moments of impulsiveness, a debut rearguard, a first date made possible by Adam Gilchrist, and one of the most spiteful series ever played that is massively underrated in the shithousery stakes. As well, of course, as a very special night in Canberra. Featuring Nerd Pledge revisits for: 13.90 – Anthony Radford 1.80 - Chris Clarke 3.18 - Thilo Fob 4.60 - Robert Dinsbury Dinsey 6.26 - Jack Firth 2.00 - Jack Frantz 4.60 - Michael Fallon 2.43 - Simon Ward 1.54 - Shane Fagg 2.36 - Keiron Costello 3.83 - Jayaprakash Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com 20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk kit with the code TFW20 44% off Wisden Cricket Monthly subscriptions at bit.ly/wcmtfw Check out Brick Lane Brewing on Instagram,FB and Twitter The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 11, Ep 5: Few bigger weeks for the show to return: this was the week when Azeem Rafiq's testimony to a parliamentary hearing shook cricket in the UK, after years of him reporting racist conduct as a player at Yorkshire have been dismissed and covered up. It was an extraordinary moment of truth. The ramifications may be felt more widely than in one country. To take us through the story we have Taha Hashim, the journalist who first interviewed Rafiq about his treatment, as well as broadcaster and former player Nikesh Rughani. Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com 20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk kit with the code TFW20 44% off Wisden Cricket Monthly subscriptions at bit.ly/wcmtfw Check out Brick Lane Brewing on Instagram,FB and Twitter The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 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. On ep 70, we planned to clear the decks and get through ever revisit in a BUMPER edition until Geoff had another bike accident before we had a chance to record part two. Don’t worry, he’s fine. Before that we did visit the dustbowl of Pune, returned the white-ball debuts of a couple of Aussie stars and re-lived some memorable moments from the beloved annual one-day tri-series. Further back in time, the day when it all fell apart for Sonny Ramadhin, Robert Croft’s finest hour and the origin of that defiant roar: QUEENSLANDER. Much, much more to come next week. Featuring Nerd Pledge revisits for: 3.33 – Bernie Prins 3.21 – Tom Fisher 19.10 – Anna Forsyth 4.19 – Dan Walsh 4.71 – Andrew Gilbertson 3.10 – Amelia Vine 6.64 – Adam in Vanuatu (not anymore) Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com 20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk kit with the code TFW20 44% off Wisden Cricket Monthly subscriptions at bit.ly/wcmtfw Check out Brick Lane Brewing on Instagram,FB and Twitter The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 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. On ep 69, it's time to follow the guidance of Missy Elliott: lay it down, flip it, and reverse it. We did consider doing the show backwards and forwards at the same time, but eventually went for the chronologically conventional. Still, given how much we enjoyed exploring some deep partnership data, more North American gallivanting, a meeting of wagering enthusiasts, a mid-match vanishing act, and the activities on Don Bradman's honeymoon, we trust that this episode will stay true to its name by giving us pleasure at the same time as doing so for you. Your new Nerd Pledge numbers: 3.21 - Pat Rodgers & Tom Fisher 3.57 - Rob Sinclair 19.32 – David Jones 4.71 - Andrew Gilbertsão 1.37 - Joel Crosby 8.55 - Alasdair Townsend Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com 20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk kit with the code TFW20 44% off Wisden Cricket Monthly subscriptions at bit.ly/wcmtfw Check out Brick Lane Brewing on Instagram,FB and Twitter The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

T20 World Cup Daily: Day 11 South Africa-Bangladesh & Pakistan-Namibia. The Final Word Daily for the 2021 T20 World Cup from the UAE, with Adam Collins and Matt Roller from ESPNcricinfo. A double header in Abu Dhabi. South Africa’s quicks went on the rampage against Bangladesh, securing an easy win and a net run rate boost. Then it was over to Pakistan, who exploded with the bat at just the right time before doing enough with the ball against Namibia to guarantee their progress to the final four. You can support the show at patreon.com/thefinalword Check out previous shows at finalwordcricket.com Get 20% off kit at WoodstockCricket.co.uk with the code TFW20 Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 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. Today, time to head back to Los Angeles and work out what the airspace is used for. Also, did you ever hear about the game Acid Ninja, or when Betty Wilson cut sick, or the ways in which Ian Harvey is better than Wally Hammond? A less safe for work than usual Story Time, for a range of reasons. Your new Nerd Pledge numbers: 1.80 - Chris Clarke 5.19 - Matthew Johnson & WG Rumblepants 4.60 - Robert Dinsey & Michael Fallon 1.98 - Debashish Biswas 2.36 - Harry Chapman & Keiron Costello Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com 20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk kit with the code TFW20 44% off Wisden Cricket Monthly subscriptions at bit.ly/wcmtfw Check out Brick Lane Brewing on Instagram,FB and Twitter The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pakistan-New Zealand. South Africa-West Indies. The Final Word Daily for the 2021 T20 World Cup from the UAE, with Adam Collins and Geoff Lemon. They’re top of the group and have seen off their two biggest rivals: Pakistan are on the surge. Meanwhile, new jobs for Aiden Markram make a difference for South Africa, but have the West Indies tanked? Low scores might become the norm of this World Cup, and Quinton de Kock pulls out of a match for all the wrong reasons. You can support the show at patreon.com/thefinalword Check out previous shows at finalwordcricket.com Get 20% off kit at WoodstockCricket.co.uk with the code TFW20 Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 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. Today, back to The Avenue nightclub in Perth, source of such good times. A flick through cricket magazines from before the First World War, some DOB material from Adam, than a contest as to which Test player had the shortest cricket career. JJ Ferris gets amongst it before Aftab Baloch does the same, in a real Old-Timey Story TIme. Your new Nerd Pledge numbers: 19.10 - Anna Forsyth 2.43 - Simon Ward 13.90 - Anthony Radford 5.88 - Max Heaton 4.28 - Stephen Frith, Crispn Crunch, Nick Marple Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com 20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk kit with the code TFW20 44% off Wisden Cricket Monthly subscriptions at bit.ly/wcmtfw Check out Brick Lane Brewing on Instagram,FB and Twitter The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 11, Ep 4: Four wickets in four balls. The talking point of the cricket week, after Curtis Campher did it for Ireland. Scotland also had a win after a huge comeback, so we got Matt Roller from Cricinfo to make his Final Word debut, telling us all about the early T20 World Cup quallies, warm-ups, and the IPL final. Also on the show this week: Brazil's women start their next campaign, the Mr Sheffield Shield is back, the WBBL beings, the county champo has yet another format, and Cricket Australia are being pointlessly stubborn about making things much harder than they need to be. What a surprise. Your Nerd Pledge number this week: 4.35 - The Rev. Dylan Nichols Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com 20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk kit with the code TFW20 44% off Wisden Cricket Monthly subscriptions at bit.ly/wcmtfw Check out Brick Lane Brewing on Instagram,FB and Twitter The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 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. Today, it's all about the city of Bruce Springsteen's song and Ben Simmons' nightmares: Philadelphia. Also, get set for the Triple Century Knob Index, and the start of our mission to learn more about Australian pioneer Una Paisley. If you know Val Slater, get in touch! Your new Nerd Pledge numbers: 6.26 - Jack Firth 2.66 - Richard Jones 1.56 - Matthew Lusty & Clint 1.47 - Tony 3.33 - Bernie Prins 1.01 - Gnana Subramanium Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com 20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk kit with the code TFW20 44% off Wisden Cricket Monthly subscriptions at bit.ly/wcmtfw Check out Brick Lane Brewing on Instagram,FB and Twitter The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 11, Ep 3: We have a guest co-host! And it's IPL finals time. In that three of the finals have already happened, and the playoff for the title takes place 24 hours after this show goes live. A great time to talk to CricViz maestro Ben Jones, who examines a ream of analytical data on every ball of the tournament. And with Adam on holiday, Ben sticks around for a spot of Nerd Pledge, a look at Shikha Pandey's wonderball, and some measurement of England's Ashes squad. Your Nerd Pledge number this week: 3.12 - Mike Meehall Wood Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com 20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk kit with the code TFW20 44% off Wisden Cricket Monthly subscriptions at bit.ly/wcmtfw Check out Brick Lane Brewing on Instagram,FB and Twitter The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 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. Let's learn about a whole lot of running without a lot of smiting, by the last person you would expect it from. How many international caps did Morne Morkel win WITHOUT playing for South Africa? Krejza goes Krazy, Gilchrist goes crazy, and there's a triple-header with a whole lot of permutations. But one question persists throughout: has there ever really been a Test at Adelaide? Your new Nerd Pledge numbers: 3.10 – Amelia Vine 12.34 - Rosie Piper 1.54 - Shane Fagg 2.96 - Nick Tewson 3.83 - Timothy O'Mera, Simon Butcher & Jayaprakash Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com 20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk kit with the code TFW20 44% off Wisden Cricket Monthly subscriptions at bit.ly/wcmtfw Check out Brick Lane Brewing on Instagram,FB and Twitter The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 11, Ep 2: It's all we keep hearing about - will the Ashes happen? Spoiler alert: yes. We already have early season sightings of trademarked Ashes Bantz, dragging themselves from hibernation and buzzing obnoxiously into view. What are some better things to talk about? India's women bossed their Test match against Australia but ran out of time to press for a win. Sound familiar? Five days please! Then it's time for our feature interview with the lovely Phillip Brown. Best known on the internet as Dudley Platypus, Browny is an Australian-English hybrid and one of the world's best cricket photographers, someone who has spent the best part of 35 years going to the opposite end of the ground as everyone else, sitting in 50-degree heat, and watching every delivery to make sure he doesn't miss a shot. Now he's collected his best photos in a book, and talks us through our favourites. You can find Phil Brown's book right here. Your Nerd Pledge number this week: 2.82 - Daniel Price Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com 20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk kit with the code TFW20 44% off Wisden Cricket Monthly subscriptions at bit.ly/wcmtfw Check out Brick Lane Brewing on Instagram,FB and Twitter The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 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. Today, an early theme emerges with the West Indies and Ireland, leading us to a true scorecard mystery from just a few years ago. Then a pledger becomes a subject before Julios are feted - likewise an underappreciated hero of 2005. Some stunning stats, as always, as we hit the revisits: the most runs off an over (more than you think) and the most economical Test spell ever sent down. Sit back and enjoy. Your new Nerd Pledge numbers: 5.68 – Luke Reynolds 4.90 - Douglas Wardell-Johnson 2.21 - Andrew Beech 26.25 - Ciaran O’Kane 5.43 - TD Fairbairn 1.77 - Joel Emonsen 3.94 – Matt Laycock 1.05 - Bernhard Sayer New Julio Pledgers: Katy Morris Shravan Kumar Liam Stanley Paul Watts Thomas Cooper Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com 20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk kit with the code TFW20 44% off Wisden Cricket Monthly subscriptions at bit.ly/wcmtfw Check out Brick Lane Brewing on Instagram,FB and Twitter The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 11, Ep 1: It's the start of Season 11! And to kick it off, a huge omnibus show after a busy week in the game. We saw two all-time classics in the Australia-India women's one-dayers, one extending the Aussie streak to 26, the next ending it at last. Our view of England's abandonment of touring Pakistan with no evident security concerns. HCL Technologies return to inspire. Moeen Ali retires from Test cricket. Indian players are coming en masse to the WBBL. Perth will not get an Ashes Test this year, but arrangements elsewhere continue apace. Close finishes in England's county championship and in the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy. Maxi makes runs in the IPL. Tasmania's Shield team pulls out of Queensland. England's women knock off New Zealand. What did we miss? Your Nerd Pledge number this week: 3.34 - Phillip Meng Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com 20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk kit with the code TFW20 44% off Wisden Cricket Monthly subscriptions at bit.ly/wcmtfw Check out Brick Lane Brewing on Instagram,FB and Twitter The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 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. Today: another Daniel Norcross visit, as we find out the things of which he was a keen observer. Live free or die. Also, a beautiful failure who is getting better bit by bit, a Nerd-Julio hybrid double header, another visit to the Shit List, and tangential Jack Fingleton. Don't forget bloody Benaud taking all the credit. Your new Nerd Pledge numbers: 2.75 - James Philbrook 2.33 - Leigh Couchman 2.00 - Jack Frantz & Brian Strain 3.09 - Mrunal Nakashe 3.18 - Thilo Fob 2.31 - Chris Dobbins 25.06 - Heidi Minchin New Julio Pledgers: Nick Baskaran Andrea Balcombe Matt Danson Akshay Krishnakumar Oliver Mattock Rion Gulley David Adamson Caroline Andrew Ruddick Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com 20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk kit with the code TFW20 44% off Wisden Cricket Monthly subscriptions at bit.ly/wcmtfw Check out Brick Lane Brewing on Instagram,FB and Twitter The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 10, Ep 22: She wowed the world last week with her four run-outs of the non-striker while bowling for Cameroon. Now she's chatting with The Final Word: a little bit shy, and just home from school. Maeva Douma is joined by her national vice-captain, Cynerah Dibande, to translate from French. Also this week: New Zealand cancels a men's tour of Pakistan at the 11th hour, and (in real time as we were recording the show) England announced they would follow suit for both their men's and women's teams. Yeesh. Virat Kohli quits as T20 captain for India and in the IPL, and there's a big wrap of women's international cricket around the world. Your Nerd Pledge number this week: 6.75 - Alica Daly Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com 20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk kit with the code TFW20 44% off Wisden Cricket Monthly subscriptions at bit.ly/wcmtfw Check out Brick Lane Brewing on Instagram,FB and Twitter The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 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. Today: Adam is back properly, so we get stuck into the revisits that have been piling up during some otherwise busy weeks. Bags of ten wickets, bags of dodgy cash, and bags with Alex Hales - we've got the whole gamut covered. Then doubling back over pears, plums, and The New Pringle. Plenty of fun in an extra-long show. Your new Nerd Pledge numbers: 3.99 - Jimit Raja 3.25 - Christopher Stock 10.45 - Michael Fallon 10.53 - James Melinson 6.67 - Jeremy Nash 3.59 - Rituraj Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com 20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk kit with the code TFW20 44% off Wisden Cricket Monthly subscriptions at bit.ly/wcmtfw Check out Brick Lane Brewing on Instagram,FB and Twitter The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 10, Ep 21: Australia has cancelled on Afghanistan - not formally but in effect - to protest the Taliban's destructive attitudes to women. But identifying the right thing to do is difficult, given that choice also means abandoning Afghanistan's people to extremist rulers. Rather than advocating for one option, we try to look at different aspects to the problem in the hope of understanding it better. Also this week: Nagraj Gollapudi joins the show to talk about the ongoing Old Trafford cancellation kerfuffle between the England and India boards. Cameroon teenager Maeva Douma became a cult hero with four run-outs of the non-striker in a match against Uganda. Matthew Hayden will deliver some fresh word salads as coach of Pakistan. Tim Paine gets his bulge addressed, ahead of a pending Ashes that continues being a will-they-won't-they, and Amy Satterthwaite is not able to wind back the clock. Your Nerd Pledge number this week: 5.09 - Avinash Shenoy Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com 20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk kit with the code TFW20 44% off Wisden Cricket Monthly subscriptions at bit.ly/wcmtfw Check out Brick Lane Brewing on Instagram,FB and Twitter The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 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. Today: what could be better than Shane Warne describing Shane Warne? You're in for a treat. Also, Norcross is back for another appearance, and going rogue with possible solutions once again. We remember one of South Africa's least enjoyable days, look at the biggest near-misses you can hope to find, locate the very best at a certain position, and try to figure out how a different player had a career at all. All new numbers this week, back to regular operations as of next weekend. Your new Nerd Pledge numbers: 1.92 - Max Hanlon & Max Gillespie 4.31 - George Pearson 1.00 - Shaun Tunza Ton 1.55 - Ian Wolstenhome 14.00 - Jon Lansdell 5.20 - Grant Cartledge 7.56 - Graham Hartley Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com 20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk kit with the code TFW20 44% off Wisden Cricket Monthly subscriptions at bit.ly/wcmtfw Check out Brick Lane Brewing on Instagram,FB and Twitter The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 10, Ep 20: This week, Guardian writer Emma John joins the show to talk about her recent article drawing together interviews with many of the England team's Black cricketers. This came out alongside the outstanding documentary on Sky presented by Mark Butcher, titled You Guys Are History. Before that, India's second Test win on their tour of England wrapped up at The Oval, and our mate Sachin Tendulkar knocked off Adam's iconic photo of the last wicket falling. Finally, some recognition from the King of the Tweets. Also, Virat Kohli's relationship with the Barmy Army, a preview of the Old Trafford Test, the touring fortunes of New Zealand's men and women, and the late-season county rounds. Your Nerd Pledge number this week: 2.61 - Doc Gowler Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com 20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk kit with the code TFW20 44% off Wisden Cricket Monthly subscriptions at bit.ly/wcmtfw Check out Brick Lane Brewing on Instagram,FB and Twitter The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 10, Ep 19: Happy Birthday Sachin is back in a big way, in a temporarily upside-down episode. There's a 7 in the morning now? The Australian summer is upside down, with the women's series against India suddenly moved to the Sunshine State. Plus all the wash-up from the Headingley Test, a farewell to Lord Ted Dexter, and England's domestic summer winds on. Your Nerd Pledge number this week: 0.00 - Adrian Muller Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com 20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk kit with the code TFW20 44% off Wisden Cricket Monthly subscriptions at bit.ly/wcmtfw Check out Brick Lane Brewing on Instagram,FB and Twitter The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 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. Today: when Adam met some gentlemen in the Caribbean who were working to uphold the reputation of Australians overseas, one Orchy bottle at a time. There's a detour from there up to Canada, and to see which number ended up as so many women's career best. When was the most Durham team that ever Durhamed? And would your favourite cricket podcast include the sentence "Hugh Tayfield loved to f**k"? Also! Daniel Norcross rejoins us for a moment, for one last look at the famous 9.04. Your new Nerd Pledge numbers: 3.22 - William Kaye 4.49 - Emil Varghese & Willem van Denderen 8.69 - Simon Robertson 3.90 - Nigel Browne 7.99 - Dane Hansted 4.78 - Peter Halton Plus revisits and confirmations. Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find other episodes at finalwordcricket.com Get 20% off Woodstock kit with code TFW20 at woodstockcricket.co.uk Get 44% off a Wisden Cricket Monthly subscription at bit.ly/wcmtfw Check out Brick Lane at bricklanebrewing.com The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 10, Ep 18: It's far from the most important question facing the country. But given that Afghanistan's cricket team has been a consistent good-news story for the last couple of decades, those who follow the game worry about what will become of it with the Taliban back in power. Shadi Khan Saif is a journalist who has covered Afghanistan politics for years, and who escaped from Kabul the night before joining The Final Word. Also this week: Justin Langer's tenure as Australian coach remains fraught, with players angry that Cricket Australia publicly backed him before meeting with them. Malcolm Conn of the Sydney Morning Herald also joins the show to talk through the developing story. Plus, we prepare for England and India's third Test, more runs for Fawad Alam as Pakistan play West Indies, Adam is back from holiday, and Ian Botham is the UK's new trade envoy to Australia. Mmmmkay. Your Nerd Pledge number this week: 8.50 - David Whiteley Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com 44% off Wisden Cricket Monthly at bit.ly/wcmtfw 20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk kit with the code TFW20 Check out Brick Lane Brewing on Instagram,FB and Twitter The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices