The Final Word Cricket Podcast

Season 17, Ep 22: In news that will surprise no one, England and India don't like the World Test Championship structure because they haven't made the final. So Jay Shah and Richard Thompson of the ECB have tasked themselves with starting from scratch before their teams play five Tests against each other in June. Also this week, our view on the English wash-up from the WAshes, with renewal badly needed, Kohli plays the Ranji, Kurtis Patterson keeps making tons, new funding for the Afghan women's team, and a look at who's missing from the Australian cricket Hall of Fame. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sri Lanka Australia Daily, 1st Test, Galle Day 4: 5/9, 7/15, 15 wickets in two sessions. This all combined to Australia recording their fourth biggest win in Test history, which happened to be Sri Lanka's greatest shellacking. Adam and Bharat are at Galle to detail how it all happened and why Matt Kuhnemann's nine-wicket match has more wider significance than just this result. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Women's Ashes Daily, Only Test, MCG Day 3: Alana King's Ashes. That is the only conclusion, after a final day of fizzing leg breaks and endless pressure, bowling from the Shane Warne Stand end on her way to the honours board. Sophie Ecclestone also had her moment, toiling hard in an outmatched team. It ended with intrigue and a dose of hilarity in front of an even-more-world-record crowd, and now the mighty MCG is home again only to the seagulls. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sri Lanka Australia Daily, 1st Test, Galle Day 3: Jason Holder had it right all those years ago - Dhananjaaaaaaya, what are you doing? His was one of two wickets to fall on a day that was more about the elaborate covers pattern than anything else, but we enjoyed what we saw. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Women's Ashes Daily, Only Test, MCG Day 2: More drops than Ibiza on the second day of the Test, as England somehow forgot which parts were hands and which parts were feet. In the end, the collarbone was the most secure catching receptacle on the day. In the meantime, Annabel Sutherland forged on her reputation as Perry Mach II, on a very strange day while the mighty MCG broke the record for a women's Test crowd. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sri Lanka Australia Daily, 1st Test, Galle Day 2: Who would've thought Usman Khawaja's first Test double century, now the oldest Australian to get one, would be the day's secondary headline? Thank Josh Inglis for that, who became the 21st Australian man to salute a Test ton at the first time of asking. Adam and Bharat enjoyed that a lot and they're here to tell you more. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Women's Ashes Daily, Only Test, MCG Day 1: The first women's Test at the MCG since 1949 drew a lot more people than they had in 1949, we're betting, as Izzy Westbury joins Geoff at the ground. With Australia bowling first, their XI was a curiosity, but it didn't matter as Alana King kept doing what she does, revving the ball like a motorbike and perplexing England's batters. All that after Afghanistan's women played their first match earlier that morning, with our TFW crew also in attendance at the Junction Oval. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sri Lanka Australia Daily, 1st Test, Galle Day 1: With a simple nudge to mid-on, Steve Smith moved to another special level, completing his mission to 10,000 Test runs. But he was far from done, going on to post three figures for the 35th time, as Usman Khawaja made a ton of his own for the first time since June 2023. Adam and Bharat are two tired boys on the roof at Galle. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sri Lanka Australia Daily, 1st Test, Galle preview: Another day, another series. Plenty of conjecture around the Australian squad about how the team will be constructed in Galle, so why not go to two journalists who always have their fingers on the pulse, Bharat Sundaresan and Andrew Fidel Fernando. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 17, Ep 21: Izzy Westbury joins for a weekly show, and there's a genuine question on the table. Tom Curran is the latest Englishman to go perambulating for no particular reason while the ball was live, then to think he was entitled to be spared the consequences. Also, the run-up to the Women's Ashes Test and the Australian men's Sri Lanka Test, a belting win for West Indies in Pakistan, some peculiar scorecards from Malayia for the women's under-19s tournament, Rocky Flintoff hits some dingers, and Sophie Devine hits the brakes. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Women's Ashes Daily, 3rd T20, Adelaide: Another match, another stop on the procession. Beth Mooney has been in brilliant touch all series, and outscored England on her own in a virtuoso performance. Meanwhile, a vintage set of fielding highlights decorated the other half of the innings. Isabelle Westbury is in no mood to hold back, joining Geoff from Adelaide. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Women's Ashes Daily, 2nd T20, Canberra: We finally got a close one, a real genuine close one, with Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Heather Knight turning it on in pursuit of Australia's big score that was built by Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, and crowd favourite Grace Harris. But the way this ended has to be seen (or heard about) to be believed. Absurd scenes at Manuka. Isabelle Westbury joins Geoff Lemon. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 17, Ep 20: After four straight losses, England's women aren't handling the trip to Australia well. What's going on with them? Meanwhile Australia's men head to everyone's dream destination, the UAE, on the way to Sri Lanka. In the meantime, Aus A and the CAXI are both taking on the England Lions, and Kurtis Patterson is catching a helicopter out of prison. The BCCI get Jetstar to consult on their player baggage policy, and there's a special anniversary of the Quiney Nine. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Women's Ashes Daily, 1st T20, Sydney: England talked up their chances in the 20-over segment of the tour, and Australia had a couple of big omissions with injury, so it was time for new players to do their thing. Phoebe Litchfield certainly did hers, Alana King came back for her first match in the format in nearly two years, and Sophia Dunkley returned to England colours with a blazing bat. A run-fest at the SCG. Isabelle Westbury joins Geoff Lemon. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD 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 walk through cricket history via your listener quiz challenges. This week, the third of our Sleuth Group episodes, with historian Pat Rodgers joining us at an empty Comedy Store in Sydney, recorded a few hours before our last live show of the national tour. Can't stop, won't stop. Back to the start of the Sheffield Shield, to the gradations of which cricket terminology means what, to a little-mentioned world record, and a listener's beloved player who dug in hard for little success. Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week: 11.00 - Nick Ibis 85.00 - Amanjeet 11.30 - Nigel Browne 26.94 - Sanjay Nitran Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Women's Ashes Daily, 3rd ODI, Hobart: Ash Gardner has been a superstar for a while, but one thing has eluded her. A century for Australia. Not any longer, after her massive repair job when England made the early running. And let's throw in the best catch of her career. Bharat Sundaresan joins Geoff Lemon. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Greatest Season That Was - The Final Frontier – Colin Miller: During the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia, The Greatest Season That Was pod focused its attention on the relationship between the cricketing giants over the decades, some 20 years from the staggering 2001 encounter in India. After the home side came back from the dead at Kolkata, it was all to play for in Chennai. Could Steve Waugh’s men now respond, or had the tide been irreversibly turned by VVS, Dravid and Harbhajan Singh? One call made by the visitors was to bring in a second spinner – a man they called Funky. Fresh from being named as Australia’s Test player of the year, the versatile veteran put in a fine performance in another thriller, which came ever so close to getting the job done. Adam Collins, Dan Brettig and Shannon Gill spoke with Colin Miller where he was living at the time, Las Vegas. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Women's Ashes Daily, 2nd ODI, Junction Oval, Melbourne: Endings don't come much more ridiculous than this. England bowl brilliantly, field well, falter with the bat but still have the chance to tie up the series on level points after two games. And then... that. What the hell just happened? Alex Malcolm from Cricinfo joins Geoff to try to break it down. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 17, Ep 19: For the first time in who knows how many years, we missed a weekly show amid the Sydney Test, live show, and travel. So there's a fortnight to catch up on, starting with the Women's Ashes commencement and structure, then into Australia's picks for the Sri Lanka Test tour and the Champions Trophy. Also this week, Shakib is still chucking it, the Big Bash hots up, Glenn Maxwell hits 10 sixes as you do, South Africa are late-night texting the Irish, a vintage shirt hunter finds his white whale, and we hear about the retirements of Tamim Iqbal and Marty Guptill. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Women's Ashes Daily, 1st ODI: One series ends, another begins, at Final Word Towers. The biggest bilateral series in the women's game is up and running in the multiformat structure that plays ODIs before T20s and a Test. At North Sydney Oval, England started off with some promise, but ended fighting Australia no more than they were fighting themselves. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Greatest Season That Was - The Final Frontier – Mike Kasprowicz: During the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia, The Greatest Season That Was pod focused its attention on the relationship between the cricketing giants over the decades, some 20 years from the staggering 2001 encounter in India. Of all the moments in that riveting series, none live in the memory quite like the Kolkata Test, where Australia were bossing the hosts and enforced the follow-on. What happened goes down as one of cricket’s great partnerships, decisive in turning in the tide against Steve Waugh’s men. One of them was Mike Kasprowicz – a man who became his generation’s subcontinental specialist. He joined Adam Collins, Daniel Brettig and Shannon Gill to recall the Eden Gardens epic. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD 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 walk through cricket history via your listener quiz challenges. This week gradually builds into one of our more absurd episodes, as we get sunburnt on the south bank of the Yarra River with Nerd Pledge Sleuth Group member Glenn Finkelde. Glenn brings the tale of one of first-class crickets most substantial and poignant anomalies, among some appropriate loops back to previous MCG high points, and the tale of an original anti-fascist agitator who was very much our kind of guy a century ago. Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week: 2.22 - Tom Sloan 26.00 - Glenn Finkelde 2.00 - John Leather 19.19 - Michael Cooney Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Australia India Daily, 5th Test, Sydney review: A five-Test series comes to an end, as India and Australia extend their contest back to the size it once was in the 1970s. It was quite a ride, from the stunning opening day at Perth until the crash-bang finish in Sydney. Adam and Geoff run the rule over the series and think about the future for both teams. Come to the last show of our national tour! Sydney January 7 - with SIMON KATICH and GLENN MAXWELL Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Australia India Daily, 5th Test, Sydney Day 3: After two series wins in Australia, the Indian team could not make it three in a row. Well, we already knew that before the fifth Test in Sydney, but they still could tied up the series and gone home with the trophy. By day three of the match, the pitch was getting even more spicy and the batting was anything but easy. It was down to who could wobble less in the closing stages, while the biggest story was the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. Come to the last show of our national tour! Sydney January 7 - with SIMON KATICH and GLENN MAXWELL Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Australia India Daily, 5th Test, Sydney Day 2: Goodness us, you can't look away from this match for long. If it wasn't 11 wickets on day one, it was 15 of them on day 2, along with a debut 50 from one camp and a near-national record for fastest 50 from the other. Sixes rained but bowlers reigned, as a fast and furious contest gets as tight as can be on the last bend. Come to the last show of our national tour! Sydney January 7 - with SIMON KATICH and GLENN MAXWELL Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Australia India Daily, 5th Test, Sydney Day 1: There won't be one point of argument today, there will be about half a dozen. Steve Smith's low catch, or was it? Washington Sundar's glove, or was it? Sam Konstas managing to get Jasprit Bumrah angry, and was it a terrible idea? All that and more, plus Scott Boland is still the Australian nation's beloved, and the Rohit Sharma decision has been made. Come to the last show of our national tour! Sydney January 7 - with SIMON KATICH and GLENN MAXWELL Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Australia India Daily, 5th Test, Sydney preview: Beau Webster has officially banged the door down for Test selection, confirmed as the man who will debut, at Mitch Marsh's expense, in this vital final BGT Test. As for India, the information from the coach Gautam Gambhir is that Rohit Sharma isn't certain to play. Make of that what you will. Adam Collins has Tom Decent with him, on co-hosting debut, to review a fascinating preview day at the SCG. Also, a recap of their night at the Prime Minister's residence with the teams, where Sam Konstas stole the show again. Come to the last show of our national tour! Sydney January 7 - with SIMON KATICH and GLENN MAXWELL Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 17, Ep 18: It's a Final Word tradition. At the end of each year, we sit down and look at the things that worked and the things that didn't, the things that hurt and the things that healed. Also this week, our farewell to colleague Greg Baum as he finishes up his full-time job at The Age, the Bulawayo bat-a-thon, Docklands is Death Valley again, the women's Ashes squads are released, and a few other bits besides. Happy New Year. Come to the last show of our national tour! Sydney January 7 - with SIMON KATICH and GLENN MAXWELL Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Australia India Daily, 4th Test, Melbourne review: It's the question the Indian captain wasn't asked after the Melbourne classic: should he hand over to Jasprit Bumrah for India's must-win encounter at Sydney? Adam has Bharat Sundaresan with him to consider this, whether Australia will have to change their XI, and plenty more, on the final night of 2024. Come to the last show of our national tour! Sydney January 7 - with SIMON KATICH and GLENN MAXWELL Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get 10% off the brilliant Maxi sunnies - the perfect Christmas gift t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Australia India Daily, 4th Test, Melbourne Day 5: When a Test match gets inside the last hour on Day 5 with mutliple results in play, you know you've had a good time. So did everybody who showed up to the MCG, an absurd crowd of 373,000 people across five days. What a finish it was, with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant stepping up, Pat Cummins never giving up, Scott Boland doing his MCG work again, and Nathan Lyon nipping at their heels. A brilliant end to the fourth Test. Come to the last show of our national tour! Sydney January 7 - with SIMON KATICH and GLENN MAXWELL Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get 10% off the brilliant Maxi sunnies - the perfect Christmas gift t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Australia India Daily, 4th Test, Melbourne Day 4: Every time we think that maybe Bumrah's moments can't keep coming, the next one arrives. The MCG was rocking and rolling on Day 4, as the Test match swung one way and then the other, with Australia's lead in real danger of being well short. Now we're set up for a perfect last day. Come to the last show of our national tour! Sydney January 7 - with SIMON KATICH and GLENN MAXWELL Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get 10% off the brilliant Maxi sunnies - the perfect Christmas gift t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Australia India Daily, 4th Test, Melbourne Day 3: One of the great MCG hundreds, on a day with a wonder that you might not expect if you just looked at the score. India were down and out after the first session, with Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja lopped off. What followed was an extraordinary display of character and skill from a pair of young players who will always have this day. Thanks to them, the match remains alive. Come to the last show of our national tour! Sydney January 7 - with SIMON KATICH and GLENN MAXWELL Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Catch the Pro Kabaddi League next to the MCG on December 28 johncainarena.com.au/event/pro-kabaddi-league-melbourne-raid-2024 Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get 10% off the brilliant Maxi sunnies - the perfect Christmas gift t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Australia India Daily, 4th Test, Melbourne Day 2: Starting the day with the possibility of pressing an advantage, Australia went ahead and did so in grand style, with another big day for a resurgent Steve Smith. Meanwhile, Pat Cummins could do little wrong with bat or ball, Virat Kohli had another meltdown, and Rohit Sharma looks bereft of confidence or ideas. Come to the last show of our national tour! Sydney January 7 - with SIMON KATICH and GLENN MAXWELL Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Catch the Pro Kabaddi League next to the MCG on December 28 johncainarena.com.au/event/pro-kabaddi-league-melbourne-raid-2024 Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get 10% off the brilliant Maxi sunnies - the perfect Christmas gift t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Australia India Daily, 4th Test, Melbourne Day 1: After all the build-up, the day delivered. Starting with Sam Konstas, who was even more spectacular than speculation might have suggested, before Jasprit Bumrah once again was the man for India to exert some influence on the contest. It was scorching hot in the field and on the field, especially when Virat Kohli clashed with his young opponent. Come to the last show of our national tour! Sydney January 7 - with SIMON KATICH and GLENN MAXWELL Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Catch the Pro Kabaddi League next to the MCG on December 28 johncainarena.com.au/event/pro-kabaddi-league-melbourne-raid-2024 Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get 10% off the brilliant Maxi sunnies - the perfect Christmas gift t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Australia India Daily, 4th Test, Melbourne preview: Merry Christmas! We've never recorded a show on the 25th of December before but a BGT series poised as well as this requires it. Adam has Bharat with him, who has been at the 'G all week keeping his eye on the new man Sam Konstas while playing media peacemaker. Drive safe everyone, see you tomorrow! Come to the last show of our national tour! Sydney January 7 - with SIMON KATICH and GLENN MAXWELL Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Catch the Pro Kabaddi League next to the MCG on December 28 johncainarena.com.au/event/pro-kabaddi-league-melbourne-raid-2024 Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get 10% off the brilliant Maxi sunnies - the perfect Christmas gift t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Merry Christmas, all. Continuing our Christmas series of sitting down with a much-loved cricket person, let's do it once again with Australia's greatest pure wicketkeeper, Ian Healy. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Come to our last live show! Sydney January 7 - with Simon Katich and Glenn Maxwell Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword Catch the Pro Kabaddi League next to the MCG on December 28 johncainarena.com.au/event/pro-kabaddi-league-melbourne-raid-2024 Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get 10% off the brilliant Maxi sunnies - the perfect Christmas gift t20vision.com/FINALWORD 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 walk through cricket history via your listener quiz challenges. This week, following on from searching for the biggest bastard in the game, we've instead found the nicest one. Or at least, that's our guess. Also, the tale of a man named Huge Massive (at least by us), a candidate for India's unluckiest batter, and somebody who was the best at most things but also the worst at one thing. Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week: 2.49 - Bernhard Sayer 2.62 - Rahul Venkat 3.10 - Will Day 2.06 - Darryl Richardson Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Come to our live shows! Melbourne December 22 - with RICKY PONTING and Glenn Maxwell Sydney January 7 - with SIMON KATICH and Glenn Maxwell Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword Catch the Pro Kabaddi League next to the MCG on December 28 johncainarena.com.au/event/pro-kabaddi-league-melbourne-raid-2024 Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get 10% off the brilliant Maxi sunnies - the perfect Christmas gift t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 17, Episode 16: It's been a tough entree to Test cricket, but it looks like Nathan McSweeney's time is up. For now. At least, that's the reporting, while we wait for the Australian camp to confirm. Geoff and Adam talk through another opening batting experiment. Also this week, the washup from England v New Zealand including Ben Stokes bowling himself towards more injury, the women's Test in South Africa, World Test Championship ramifications, Jason Gillespie's formal departure from the Pakistan job, and a cricketing world wrap from the Big Bash to Bulawayo. Come to our live shows! Melbourne December 22 - with RICKY PONTING (and Maxi) Sydney January 7 - with SIMON KATICH (and Maxi) Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Catch the Pro Kabaddi League next to the MCG on December 28 johncainarena.com.au/event/pro-kabaddi-league-melbourne-raid-2024 Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get 10% off the brilliant Maxi sunnies - the perfect Christmas gift t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Australia India Daily, 3rd Test, Brisbane review: One day after a rare Test to actually span the five days - thanks to the weather rather than the hectic speed of play - there are various storylines bubbling along in the Australian camp ahead of Boxing Day. Biggest of all, though, the very strange mid-series departure of Ravichandran Ashwin. Much more has come to light about the champion spinner quitting the game, so we look at that, as well as his mighty career and why we enjoyed his work so fully. Come to our live shows! Melbourne December 22 - with RICKY PONTING Sydney January 7 Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Catch the Pro Kabaddi League next to the MCG on December 28 johncainarena.com.au/event/pro-kabaddi-league-melbourne-raid-2024 Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get 10% off the brilliant Maxi sunnies - the perfect Christmas gift t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Australia India Daily, 3rd Test, Brisbane Day 5: It was wet, but it was wild. Rain kept playing its part on the last day at Brisbane, but not before an absolutely manic session that may have implications for the whole series going forward. Jasprit Bumrah can't stop being unbelievable, Australia have more questions to consider, and as if that wasn't enough, Ravichandran Ashwin announced a snap retirement. Come to our live shows! Melbourne December 22 - with RICKY PONTING Sydney January 7 Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Catch the Pro Kabaddi League next to the MCG on December 28 johncainarena.com.au/event/pro-kabaddi-league-melbourne-raid-2024 Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get 10% off the brilliant Maxi sunnies - the perfect Christmas gift t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Australia India Daily, 3rd Test, Brisbane Day 4: God bless the follow-on! What could have been a fairly dull day of cricket between rain delays became a wholesome and delightful one thanks to one simple thing: a team trying to finish fewer than 200 runs behind another team. Whoever came up with that plan, a blessing on your head. Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins took on a huge job after Josh Hazlewood went down injured, KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja did the spadework, then it was all down to Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep. Come to our live shows! Melbourne December 22 - with RICKY PONTING and GLENN MAXWELL Sydney January 7 Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Catch the Pro Kabaddi League next to the MCG on December 28 johncainarena.com.au/event/pro-kabaddi-league-melbourne-raid-2024 Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get 10% off the brilliant Maxi sunnies - the perfect Christmas gift t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New Zealand England Daily, 3rd Test, Hamilton Day 4: England's series, New Zealand's day. Bethell got some more runs, but Will O'Rourke's spell was special. In the end, New Zealand win by loads. For one last time, Cameron Ponsonby and Jeremy Coney have it all. Come to our live shows! Melbourne December 22 Sydney January 7 Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword This Is Hypnobirthing Insta @thisishypnobirthing Or email: [email protected] if you/someone you know is having a baby and you reckon this would help them, as it did Rach and Adam when they had their girls. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get 10% off the brilliant Maxi sunnies - the perfect Christmas gift t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Australia India Daily, 3rd Test, Brisbane Day 3: Rain, yes, but not so much that we didn't get some very important play. First of all from Carey, doing another useful job with the bat, then the showdown between Australia's fast bowlers and India's top order. Suddenly the Gabba track went full speed ahead, jumping and jagging as Starc and Hazlewood did their work. How can India steer a path to safety, and just what is going on with Virat Kohli? Come to our live shows! Melbourne December 22 - with RICKY PONTING Sydney January 7 Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Catch the Pro Kabaddi League next to the MCG on December 28 johncainarena.com.au/event/pro-kabaddi-league-melbourne-raid-2024 Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get 10% off the brilliant Maxi sunnies - the perfect Christmas gift t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New Zealand England Daily, 3rd Test, Hamilton Day 3: What on earth was that, cricket? On a day where Jacob Bethell and Shoiab Bashir bowled forever, Ben Stokes pulled him hamstring and New Zealand finished roughly a million ahead. Cameron Ponsonby and Jeremy Coney have it all. Come to our live shows! Melbourne December 22 Sydney January 7 Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword This Is Hypnobirthing Insta @thisishypnobirthing Or email: [email protected] if you/someone you know is having a baby and you reckon this would help them, as it did Rach and Adam when they had their girls. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get 10% off the brilliant Maxi sunnies - the perfect Christmas gift t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Australia India Daily, 3rd Test, Brisbane Day 2: It has been a long wait, but Steve Smith finally returned to the century-makers list with career ton #33, going past Steve Waugh into his own place in Australian Test history. And it might have been one of his hardest fought innings, as Jasprit Bumrah once, twice, three times rocked Australia. Not to mention another wild day from Travis Head, as Rohit Sharma ponders his decisions. Come to our live shows! Melbourne December 22 - with RICKY PONTING Sydney January 7 Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Catch the Pro Kabaddi League next to the MCG on December 28 johncainarena.com.au/event/pro-kabaddi-league-melbourne-raid-2024 Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get 10% off the brilliant Maxi sunnies - the perfect Christmas gift t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New Zealand England Daily, 3rd Test, Hamilton Day 2: What on earth was that, England? NZ are on en route to a win after trouncing England in all departments in Hamilton. It was weird, it was wonderful, and Cameron Ponsonby and Jeremy Coney have it all. Come to our live shows! Melbourne December 22 Sydney January 7 Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword This Is Hypnobirthing Insta @thisishypnobirthing Or email: [email protected] if you/someone you know is having a baby and you reckon this would help them, as it did Rach and Adam when they had their girls. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get 10% off the brilliant Maxi sunnies - the perfect Christmas gift t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Australia India Daily, 3rd Test, Brisbane Day 1: Not much play on a wet first day, but it was a brave call from Rohit Sharma as India chose to bowl first. Will that prove to be a great idea or less so? We don't know yet, but we'll sure talk about it, and plenty of other things besides. Come to our live shows! Melbourne December 22 - with RICKY PONTING Sydney January 7 Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Catch the Pro Kabaddi League next to the MCG on December 28 johncainarena.com.au/event/pro-kabaddi-league-melbourne-raid-2024 Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get 10% off the brilliant Maxi sunnies - the perfect Christmas gift t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New Zealand England Daily, 3rd Test, Hamilton Day 2: Both teams will be disappointed but we have a hell of a Test match ahead. Day one ebbed and flowed in Hamilton, with both teams ahead at certain stages, but it finishes in the balance after some sixes from the Sexy Camel. Cameron Ponsonby and Jeremy Coney have it all. Come to our live shows! Melbourne December 22 Sydney January 7 Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword This Is Hypnobirthing Insta @thisishypnobirthing Or email: [email protected] if you/someone you know is having a baby and you reckon this would help them, as it did Rach and Adam when they had their girls. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Australia India Daily, 3rd Test, Brisbane Day 0: Can't wait to get you to the Gabba? Well, we're back, but Australia haven't recently been the same force here. But then, they've kept playing in January rather than November or December. Does that make a difference? Who knows. Bharat Sundaresan joins Geoff Lemon to puzzle things out. Come to our live shows! Melbourne December 22 Sydney January 7 Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Catch the Pro Kabaddi League next to the MCG on December 28 johncainarena.com.au/event/pro-kabaddi-league-melbourne-raid-2024 Get 10% off the brilliant Maxi sunnies - the perfect Christmas gift t20vision.com/FINALWORD Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get your Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 17, Episode 15: We're in Brisbane, where Bharat joins Geoff to look around the non-Australia-India-series world. The World Test Championship standings, Glenn Maxwell's Test ambitions and first-class misadventures, Australia's women back to beating up all comers, and Jason Gillespie's ongoing Pakistan saga. Come to our live shows! Brisbane December 12 Melbourne December 22 Sydney January 7 Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get 10% off the brilliant Maxi sunnies - the perfect Christmas gift t20vision.com/FINALWORD Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Get your Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices