The Final Word Cricket Podcast

Season 17, Episode 12: It's Test season, it's Perth, and the band is almost back together. Geoff will join Adam tomorrow for the preview day and the Final Word live show, but before that we need to get a read on the BGT, and Josh Hazlewood's pre-game thoughts. A lot more to cover, including the end of India's dominant T20 International year via Sanju Samson, more chaos in Pakistan with Jason Gillespie's non-sacking and the non-relocation of the Champions Trophy, and a small bit of cheer about the Afghan women's team in the gloom. Come to our live shows! Perth November 21, Adelaide December 5, Brisbane December 12, Melbourne December 22, Sydney January 7. Get 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 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 episode 4 – Adam Gilchrist: During the last Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia, the pulsating summer of 2020-21, 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. When Australia arrived in Mumbai, the stakes were set as high as at any time in modern memory. Steve Waugh’s side were on an historic roll, but winning in India was one hurdle that hadn’t been cleared for an Aussie touring team since 1969. But the difference this time around was the presence of Adam Gilchrist. His staggering century changed the course of the First Test and set the tone for the rollercoaster ride to come. He spoke in great depth with Shannon Gill and Dan Brettig about that Test and the two that followed. A brilliant guest. COME ALONG TO OUR LIVE SHOWS! All tickets here: century.com.au/tfw24 Perth - 21 November with Tom Moody Adelaide - 5 December with Aaron Finch Brisbane - 12 December with Harsha Bhogle Melbourne - 22 December with Glenn Maxwell (and friends) Sydney - 7 January with Glenn Maxwell (and friends) If you want to upgrade your ticket and get a personally signed copy of Maxi’s book, The Showman, you can do so here: https://tinyurl.com/maxitfw 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 live show tickets or other links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Some news. Due to Maxi's playing schedule being a bit unclear after the Pakistan series, we've decided to play it safe and push back our Melbourne show to the 22nd of December. Sorry to those who booked for the earlier date - ultimately, we didn't think it was right to run the gauntlet with the possibility he would need to pull out of his own book launch. In the process of making this shift, we've secured another iconic venue the old HiFi Bar (now known as Max Watt's). It's going to be a great night, these always are in our old hometown. So please do come along to celebrate The Showman's release with Glenn Maxwell and Christmas with The Final Word. Of course, all Melbourne tickets remain valid for the new date. Or if you want to use them for attendance to another of our shows around the country, that's easy too - just drop us a line to [email protected]. Thanks for your understanding. COME ALONG TO OUR LIVE SHOWS! All tickets here: century.com.au/tfw24 Perth - 21 November with Tom Moody Adelaide - 5 December with Aaron Finch Brisbane - 12 December with Harsha Bhogle Melbourne - 22 December with Glenn Maxwell (and friends) Sydney - 7 January with Glenn Maxwell (and friends) 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 live show tickets or other links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's Story Time, our walk through cricket history via your listener quiz challenges. This week, the little-known twist of how cricket's most famous mathematicians nearly ended up with a Hawaiian feel – one we’re determined to embrace from this point forward. We then get into WA’s remarkable first Shield season and the characters who made it so. Later, the rarity and oddity of a very unusual ton, before a father-son pledge about a famous debut from a very not-famous player. Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week: 6.48 - Cameron M 22.13 - Monique Beedles 10.30 - Leigh Rees 6.78 - Scott & Finn Mackie 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 live show tickets or other links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 17, Episode 11: Eating disorders are not something associated with cricketers, especially opening bowlers. But this was the lot of in life for Ethan Bamber during the pandemic: trying to exert control, for a time he lost it entirely. This is far from the whole picture when it comes to a very capable seamer who is on the move from Lord’s to Edgbaston after seven seasons at Middlesex – the 25-year-old has one of the more interesting back stories on the circuit. It shapes the kind and caring human being that he is, at odds with the perception of most who try and take stumps out the ground for a living. He joined Adam at their local café in North London to take stock on what has already been and consider what comes next. A most impressive young man. 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 live show tickets or other links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 17, Episode 10: Geoff and Adam are back together at last, after 5000 miles on American roads and a lot more distance in the psyche. After catching up on events there, we have big announcements for our live shows, thoughts on the many unlucky Australian openers, the suddenly inflated worries facing the touring Indian Test side, Michael Neser's terrible luck, and the World Test Championship maths. Pakistan smash Australia, then get locked out of their own Champions Trophy tournament. Then there's some weird stuff with Victorians in Guyana, and a wild week in the WBBL. 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 live show tickets or other links at linktr.ee/thefinalword 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 episode 3 – Damien Fleming: During the last Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia, the pulsating summer of 2020-21, 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. The previous time the sides met was in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney during the season of 1999-2000. Determined to build something special under Steve Waugh having just won the World Cup, they were on a roll and determined to, as our guest Damien Fleming puts it, sing the song after every Test that summer. Steamrolling India, they did just that. At the peak of his powers then and there, the swing ace spoke with Adam, Dan Brettig and Shannon Gill about the series before the epic. Enjoy all eight parts of Final Frontier over the next couple of months. Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday And please hyperlink over ‘sort you super out with CBUS’ with this: https://www.cbussuper.com.au/ Go Ambassador cruising with Goochy, Aggers, Blowers and Alex Tudor from December 12-19! Pick up 10% off with finalword10 at checkout here - www.ambassadorcruiseline.com Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find all our links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's Story Time, our walk through cricket history via your listener quiz challenges. This week, how did Warney nearly become the PM’s XI captain? Via texts with the PM, of course. It’s a fixture we spend some time on, including going back to Bradman and Lillee’s final Australian fixtures. But what about the tie The Don was captained just before his mighty First Class career ended? This is riveting stuff for both Adam and Bharat Sundaresan. Also featured: the epic end to Bill Ponsford’s Test career, Larry Gomes’ tremendous record in Australia, the West Wing cricket bat from the Queen and the glory days of the ODI tri-series. A fun show. Enjoy. Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week: 7.00 - Riley Campbell 2.05 - Jonathan Brand 4.51 - Richie B Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday https://www.cbussuper.com.au/ Find all our links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 17, Episode 9: A career total of just 10 Test Matches belies the imprint made on the game by Alex Tudor. A quick bowler who burst onto the scene in an Ashes series and made his presence felt right away, he was always good enough to mix it with the best. Injuries curtailed his international career, but his love for cricket – and continued involvement in it – has never ceased. He spoke with Adam and gave a feel for the lovely company he will be on Ambassador’s Cricket Legends Cruise in December along with Graham Gooch, Jonathan Agnew and Henry Blofeld. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday https://www.cbussuper.com.au/ Find all our links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 17, Episode 8: The format of the World Test Championship has been a stick to whack it with since day dot. However, the unintended consequence of the model in place has become a feature not a flaw with five teams now in the hunt thanks to New Zealand’s stunning three-nil victory over India. For the first time in a long time, Adam has Izzy Westbury (from an undisclosed location) with him to consider what this all means along with McDreamy McSweeney’s McMentum, the first Women’s FTP, the ball tampering incident that wasn’t and a great deal more. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Find all our links at linktr.ee/thefinalword 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 episode 2 - Gavin Robertson: During the last Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia, the pulsating summer of 2020-21, 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. Three years earlier, the dynamic was very different with Mark Taylor’s side put to the sword by the hosts in the first couple of Tests by a series of supreme batters in the form of their life. But one bowler who found a way to make it work was a journeyman spinner, Gavin Robertson. His story was a beauty: from the Centrelink queue to a terrific Chennai debut, he made every moment count. He told the tale the Aussies’ 1998 tour, and his life in the game, to Adam, Dan Brettig and Shannon Gill. Enjoy all eight parts of this series across the next couple of months. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday And please hyperlink over ‘sort you super out with CBUS’ with this: https://www.cbussuper.com.au/ Go Ambassador cruising with Goochy, Aggers, Blowers and Alex Tudor from December 12-19! Pick up 10% off with finalword10 at checkout here - www.ambassadorcruiseline.com Find all our links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's Story Time, our walk through cricket history via your listener quiz challenges. This week, our love affair with Wangaratta grows through the story of a journeyman in the wickets against the Windies. With Daniel Norcross with Adam, long answers are inevitable and roads less travelled too – what would Australia be like had Matthew Hayden taken the chance to run for parliament? A rare triple header is tackled ton as well – a new number revisit and confirmation all in one, with (Plucka) Ducks, (Vasbert) Drakes and (Jon) Davison together at last. Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week: 4.81 - Dane Hansted 6.82 - Richard Johnson 2.36 & 2.46 – Randolph Brazier 3.59 - Tim Unwin 7.35 - Tobi Wilson Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday And please hyperlink over ‘sort you super out with CBUS’ with this: https://www.cbussuper.com.au/ Go Ambassador cruising with Goochy, Aggers, Blowers and Alex Tudor from December 12-19! Pick up 10% off with finalword10 at checkout here - www.ambassadorcruiseline.com Find all our links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 17, Episode 7: It’s a complicated cricketing universe – more by the month. But the joys of a Test Match, however unexpected, remain unrivalled as we saw in India and Pakistan this week. For this conversation, Adam has fellow romantic Bharat Sundaresan with him. They start with a hectic week of speculation in Australia (along with retirements, contracts, collapses and suspension cessations!) ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. They then drift into a circuitous lap around the world. And spliced into the middle of all this, Geoff Lemon files an update from the US election campaign trail. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Go Ambassador cruising with Goochy, Aggers, Blowers and Alex Tudor from December 12-19! Pick up 10% off with finalword10 at checkout here - www.ambassadorcruiseline.com Get your Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Find all our links at linktr.ee/thefinalword - including our Australia Live Show tickets! Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 17, Episode 6: Before Ben Duckett boarded the plane to Pakistan, where he started in blistering form, the England Test opener sat down with Adam and Geoff in London. On the cusp of turning 30, he’s in all probability at the mid-way point of his career and never been more established as an international batter. Having first came across Duckett in a tour game nearly a decade ago, the conversation goes to that period of his career, when he first banged the door down to earn England Test caps in his early 20s, through to difficult times in the wilderness, a change of county and forcing his way in a second time. A nice chat to do – he gave us plenty. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Go Ambassador cruising with Goochy, Aggers, Blowers and Alex Tudor from December 12-19! Pick up 10% off with finalword10 at checkout here - www.ambassadorcruiseline.com Get your Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Find all our links at linktr.ee/thefinalword - including our Australia Live Show tickets! 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, a special hosting combination with Andy Zaltzman on the Nerd Pledge tools for the first time since September 2019 (!), with his old mate Daniel Norcross. And what did they find? Well, for one, that left-handers can be ugly too. From there, a bit of Deano and a lick of Davo. Later, Greigy’s off-spin revival and Big Bird’s fine avoidance. Enjoy! Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week: 1.05 - Bala Sivaraman 25.00 - Tom Stewart 7.38 - Evil Scootus 5.77 - Emily Price Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Go Ambassador cruising with Goochy, Aggers, Blowers and Alex Tudor from December 12-19! Pick up 10% off with finalword10 at checkout here - www.ambassadorcruiseline.com Find all our links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Book Club 7: Glenn Maxwell & Adam Collins - The Showman You might’ve heard… we did a book. It was a team effort. The Showman, of course, has Maxi telling the story of a remarkable year in his life leading up his World Cup miracle, within his already fascinating career in the global game. Adam co-authored it with him through the course of 2024. And Geoff was the editor, putting the finishing touches on the manuscript. Together, they caught up ahead of the book’s release (30 October) to look back on the process and discuss the sections of the book that are likely to generate the most amount of attention. Be sure to buy yourself a copy! It’s available for pre-order everywhere. That includes the audio book, which has been read by friend of the pod Rhys Muldoon. https://www.amazon.com.au/Showman-Glenn-Maxwell/dp/1761428209 Go Ambassador cruising with Goochy, Aggers, Blowers and Alex Tudor from December 12-19! Pick up 10% off with finalword10 at checkout here - www.ambassadorcruiseline.com Get your Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Find all our links at linktr.ee/thefinalword - including our Australia Live Show tickets! Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 17, Episode 5: David Warner is at it again - available for selection! But no, that won't be happening. There's nobody better to be co-hosting with Adam than Alex Malcolm from ESPNcricinfo, who is across every inch of the Sheffield Shield at this fascinating time of the year. From there, reflections from the Women's World Cup, a lap around the Test-playing world, and further concerns about the health of the global game despite CA's strong financial story. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Go Ambassador cruising with Goochy, Aggers, Blowers and Alex Tudor from December 12-19! Pick up 10% off with finalword10 at checkout here - www.ambassadorcruiseline.com Get your Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Find all our links at linktr.ee/thefinalword - including our Australia Live Show tickets! 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 - Harsha Bhogle: During the last Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia, through the pulsating summer of 2020-21, 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. There was nobody better to call upon than Harsha Bhogle to paint the bigger picture to begin, speaking here with Adam, Shannon Gill and Dan Brettig. With India soon to in Australia again for the next instalment of this great rivalry, we will be re-releasing the eight parts of this series on The Final Word feed over the next couple of months Enjoy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Women's T20 World Cup, final, New Zealand v South Africa: They did it! Daniel Norcross and Cameron Ponsonby are on the scene. Go Ambassador cruising with Goochy, Aggers, Blowers and Alex Tudor from December 12-19! Pick up 10% off with finalword10 at checkout here - www.ambassadorcruiseline.com Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Find all our links at linktr.ee/thefinalword - including our Australia Live Show tickets! 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, it’s the formidable combination of Bharat Sundaresan and Daniel Norcross - born for these roles. Follow the tale of Geoff Chubb, the South African on the Lord's honours board who was imprisoned by Rommel, then look at India’s forgotten victory over the West Indies that was the catalyst for Fire in Babylon. Later, they explore the curiously dismissed career of Dane Vilas and Collis King’s World Cup winning innings. Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week: 2.66 - James 7.75 - Joe Scott-Hartley 3.13 - Gopal B 6.51 - Peter T Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Go Ambassador cruising with Goochy, Aggers, Blowers and Alex Tudor from December 12-19! Pick up 10% off with finalword10 at checkout here - www.ambassadorcruiseline.com Find all our links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Women's T20 World Cup, semi-final 2 - New Zealand/West Indies: No matter what, there will be a new team winning the Women's T20 World Cup with New Zealand holding off the Windies in a thriller to earn the right to play South Africa on Sunday. Daniel Norcross and Cam Ponsonby are two very excited co-hosts - join them for their instant reaction from Sharjah. Go Ambassador cruising with Goochy, Aggers, Blowers and Alex Tudor from December 12-19! Pick up 10% off with finalword10 at checkout here - www.ambassadorcruiseline.com Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Find all our links at linktr.ee/thefinalword - including our Australia Live Show tickets! Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Women's T20 World Cup, semi-final 1 - South Africa/Australia: South Africa stunned the red-hot favourites Australia to win with ease and advance to Sunday’s final. It was an all-round performance for the ages from the Proteas, with Australia left to ponder how it all went so wrong. Cam Ponsonby and Daniel Norcross discuss an incredible result. Go Ambassador cruising with Goochy, Aggers, Blowers and Alex Tudor from December 12-19! Pick up 10% off with finalword10 at checkout here - www.ambassadorcruiseline.com Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Find all our links at linktr.ee/thefinalword - including our Australia Live Show tickets! Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 17, Episode 4: After all the time we spent talking about Cam Green's back last week, it has now ruled him out of the summer, and opened up a spot for openers. Away we go again, with all the Australian Shield performances, Australia A picks, and their ramifications. Also this week, Pakistan go full Pakistan after England's ridiculous win, Shakib goes full Facebook brain while retiring, Sanju Samson goes bosh, and plenty more besides. Bharat Sundaresan joins Geoff. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Go Ambassador cruising with Goochy, Aggers, Blowers and Alex Tudor from December 12-19! Pick up 10% off with finalword10 at checkout here - www.ambassadorcruiseline.com Get your Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Find all our links at linktr.ee/thefinalword - including our Australia Live Show tickets! Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Women's T20 World Cup, Day 13 - West Indies/England: Whoa. England, undefeated and flying, did everything right until they didn't. The Windies, smashed in their opening game of the tournament, have bounced them from the comp and vaulted into the semis themselves via Net Run Rate on a dramatic final night in Dubai. Find out more with Daniel Norcross and Cam Ponsonby. Go Ambassador cruising with Goochy, Aggers, Blowers and Alex Tudor from December 12-19! Pick up 10% off with finalword10 at checkout here - www.ambassadorcruiseline.com Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Find all our links at linktr.ee/thefinalword - including our Australia Live Show tickets! Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Women's T20 World Cup, Day 12 - New Zealand/Pakistan: After an early wobble that raised India’s hopes, New Zealand steadied the ship against Pakistan to win comfortably through to a semi-final that not many had predicted at the start of the tournament. Daniel Norcross and Cameron Ponsoby review the action from Dubai as we near the business end of this tournament. Go Ambassador cruising with Goochy, Aggers, Blowers and Alex Tudor from December 12-19! Pick up 10% off with finalword10 at checkout here - www.ambassadorcruiseline.com Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Find all our links at linktr.ee/thefinalword - including our Australia Live Show tickets! Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Women's T20 World Cup, Day 11 - England/Scotland, Australia/India: An injury-hit Australia showed they are still deserving of their favouritism, holding their nerve against India in a high-scoring gem. That leaves Harmanpreet Kaur’s side on the brink. Meanwhile, England smashed Scotland to beef up their net run rate at the perfect time. Here’s Daniel Norcross and Cam Ponsonby. Go Ambassador cruising with Goochy, Aggers, Blowers and Alex Tudor from December 12-19! Pick up 10% off with finalword10 at checkout here - www.ambassadorcruiseline.com Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Find all our links at linktr.ee/thefinalword - including our Australia Live Show tickets! 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, there is one club with some supporters who believe it is the entire cricket world. But what happened when it had to go toe to toe? Also, did we just find the most sacked man in cricket? We've got one of the most recognisable, along with one of the most unusual injuries. Another fun show this week. Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week: 11.76 - Thomas Melia 5.14 - Martin Kirk 5.15 - Angadh Oberoi 2.84 - Edward Fielding Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Go Ambassador cruising with Goochy, Aggers, Blowers and Alex Tudor from December 12-19! Pick up 10% off with finalword10 at checkout here - www.ambassadorcruiseline.com Find all our links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Women's T20 World Cup, Day 10 - New Zealand/Sri Lanka, South Africa/Bangladesh: Amelia Kerr and Georgia Plimmer saw off Sri Lanka’s total with ease but not quite convincingly enough to move into outright 2nd place in the group on NRR. The White Ferns will be banking on a favour from their Trans-Tasman cousins over India to help ease their path into the semi-finals. In the second game in Dubai, South Africa held a battling Bangladesh at arm's length and will now face a nervous wait for other group results to determine if they’ll qualify for the semis. Pick up the conversation with Cam Ponsonby and Daniel Norcross Go Ambassador cruising with Goochy, Aggers, Blowers and Alex Tudor from December 12-19! Pick up 10% off with finalword10 at checkout here - www.ambassadorcruiseline.com Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Find all our links at linktr.ee/thefinalword - including our Australia Live Show tickets! Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Women's T20 World Cup, Day 9 - Australia/Pakistan: Australia cruised to their third win of the tournament but not without serious injury concerns. A shoulder dislocation to speedster Tayla Valeminck and a foot injury to captain Alyssa Healy could open the door to their challengers iat the pointy end of the tournament. Daniel Norcross and Cam Ponsonby take up the conversation in our nightly wrap from the UAE. Go Ambassador cruising with Goochy, Aggers, Blowers and Alex Tudor from December 12-19! Pick up 10% off with finalword10 at checkout here - www.ambassadorcruiseline.com Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Find all our links at linktr.ee/thefinalword - including our Australia Live Show tickets! Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 17, Episode 3: Henry Blofeld, or Blowers, as he’s universally known, was a staple of cricket broadcasting in England for half a century. First calling internationals in the early 1970s, he was central to Test Match Special becoming a national institution as a much-loved voice in that famous commentary box. He narrated the game around the world until 2017 when he hung up his BBC mic. Having covered hundreds of Tests, Blowers is a man with thousands of yarns. The master storyteller joined Adam to share a few of those from his wonderful life in cricket. Go Ambassador cruising with Goochy, Aggers, Blowers and Alex Tudor from December 12-19! Pick up 10% off with finalword10 at checkout here - www.ambassadorcruiseline.com Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Find all our links at linktr.ee/thefinalword - including our Australia Live Show tickets! Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Women's T20 World Cup, Day 8 - West Indies/Bangladesh: We're at an interesting point in the group stage where each game changes the vibe. With that in mind, it was so important the Windies came to play against Bangladesh and play they did, banking a healthy Net Run Rate boost at Sharjah. As ever, join Daniel Norcross and Cam Ponsonby for their nightly wrap. Go Ambassador cruising with Goochy, Aggers, Blowers and Alex Tudor from December 12-19! Pick up 10% off with finalword10 at checkout here - www.ambassadorcruiseline.com Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Find all our links at linktr.ee/thefinalword - including our Australia Live Show tickets! Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Women's T20 World Cup, Day 7 - South Africa/Scotland, India/Sri Lanka: The time had come for India to light a fire under their tournament and they have done so against Sri Lanka, scoring the highest total of the World Cup so far. Earlier, South Africa did their Net Run Rate plenty of good as well, bouncing back after their loss to England a couple of days ago. At Dubai Sports City, join Daniel Norcross and Cam Ponsonby for their nightly wrap! Go Ambassador cruising with Goochy, Aggers, Blowers and Alex Tudor from December 12-19! Pick up 10% off with finalword10 at checkout here - www.ambassadorcruiseline.com Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Find all our links at linktr.ee/thefinalword - including our Australia Live Show tickets! Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 17, Episode 2: It's time for Mr Sheffield to rise again, which means the annual jostling for national position begins in earnest. Some players are rested, some are tested, some are bested, while Michael Neser is inevitably fastest to impress-ted. England get their Test tour of Pakistan going without Ben Stokes, Shan Masood tons up, the Women's T20 World Cup is up and running, Sanath Jayasuirya needs a new phone for his new job, Tim Southee goes south, and Ireland knock off South Africa in a one-dayer. Plus, County Championship Trade Radio, (not) featuring Kane Cornes. And later, Andrew Probyn from the Nine Network joins us to talk about the day Bob Hawke top-edged a ball into his eye some 40 years ago this week. Your Nerd Pledge revisit for this week: 18.77 - Chris Byrne Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Go Ambassador cruising with Goochy, Aggers, Blowers and Alex Tudor from December 12-19! Pick up 10% off with finalword10 at checkout here - www.ambassadorcruiseline.com Get your Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Find all our links at linktr.ee/thefinalword - including our Australia Live Show tickets! Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Women's T20 World Cup, Day 6 - Australia/New Zealand: Are the Australians unstoppable, again? Is that what's going on here? Daniel Norcross and Cam Ponsonby consider this important question after Alyssa Healy's team hammered New Zealand in Sharjah. Go Ambassador cruising with Goochy, Aggers, Blowers and Alex Tudor from December 12-19! Pick up 10% off with finalword10 at checkout here - www.ambassadorcruiseline.com Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Find all our links at linktr.ee/thefinalword - including our Australia Live Show tickets! Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Women's T20 World Cup, Day 5 - England/South Africa: It was tougher than it looked. Chasing anything over a run-a-ball in this comp will be, and that's what South Africa set England at Sharjah. In the power play it looked like loads, but then the hyphenated pair sorted it out to give Heather Knight's side a second win. Cam Ponsonby is with Daniel Norcross for us every day of the tournament in the UAE - enjoy their nightly wrap. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Go Ambassador cruising with Goochy, Aggers, Blowers and Alex Tudor from December 12-19! Pick up 10% off with finalword10 at checkout here - www.ambassadorcruiseline.com Get your Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Find all our links at linktr.ee/thefinalword - including our Australia Live Show tickets! 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, we start by looking back at how Bangladesh went from destruction to a seat at cricket's top table. From there, the stories of two Queenslanders - a Slasher and a leggie. We finish with some cryptic fun that takes us back to Jamaica in 1995 where the Waughs were never better. Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week: 4.47 – Calum Evans 15.00 – Alex Newcombe 4.64 – Keelan O’Reilly 2.31 – Adam Soffer Go Ambassador cruising with Goochy, Aggers, Blowers and Alex Tudor from December 12-19! Pick up 10% off with finalword10 at checkout here - www.ambassadorcruiseline.com Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Check out Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City By downloading the app: westfield.com/united-kingdom/app Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Women's T20 World Cup, Day 4 - India/Pakistan, West Indies/Scotland: What is it about India and Pakistan at World Cups? It went as predicted, with Harman's team bouncing back from their loss to the White Ferns. Later, it was the Windies' turn to get on the board after dropping their tournament opener. Over to Daniel Norcross and Cam Ponsonby at Dubai Sports City who will take it away from there. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Go Ambassador cruising with Goochy, Aggers, Blowers and Alex Tudor from December 12-19! Pick up 10% off with finalword10 at checkout here - www.ambassadorcruiseline.com Get your Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Find all our links at linktr.ee/thefinalword - including our Australia Live Show tickets! Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Women's T20 World Cup, Day 3 - Australia/Sri Lanka, England/Bangladesh: Not the most clinical performances from Australia nor England, but the favourites did enough to overcome Sri Lanka and Bangladesh respectively in their tournament-openers. It’s in Sharjah where Daniel Norcross and Cam Ponsonby are with you tonight for their recap. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Go Ambassador cruising with Goochy, Aggers, Blowers and Alex Tudor from December 12-19! Pick up 10% off with finalword10 at checkout here - www.ambassadorcruiseline.com Get your Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Find all our links at linktr.ee/thefinalword - including our Australia Live Show tickets! Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Women's T20 World Cup, Day 2 - New Zealand/India, South Africa/West Indies: Well, well. India, the team everyone thought might give it a shake and challenge Australia have been hammered by New Zealand in the White Ferns' most significant World Cup victory in over a decade. Meanwhile, South Africa were just as ruthless in dispatching the Windies. There's plenty for Daniel Norcross and Cam Ponsonby to chew over at Dubai Sports City! Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Go Ambassador cruising with Goochy, Aggers, Blowers and Alex Tudor from December 12-19! Pick up 10% off with finalword10 at checkout here - www.ambassadorcruiseline.com Get your Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Find all our links at linktr.ee/thefinalword - including our Australia Live Show tickets! Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Women's T20 World Cup, Day 1 - Bangladesh/Scotland, Pakistan/Sri Lanka: A crucial opening night win in this World Cup for Pakistan’s women, seeing off the dangerous Sri Lanka. Earlier, Scotland did a lot right with the ball against Bangladesh but didn’t have enough with the bat. For the first of our daily eps, coming thick and fast every day from the UAE, it’s Daniel Norcross and Cam Ponsonby! Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Go Ambassador cruising with Goochy, Aggers, Blowers and Alex Tudor from December 12-19! Pick up 10% off with finalword10 at checkout here - www.ambassadorcruiseline.com Get your Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Find all our links at linktr.ee/thefinalword - including our Australia Live Show tickets! Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 17, Episode 1: Is Hampshire but the first domino to fall? Now sold to the conglomerate that owns the Delhi Capitals in the IPL, county cricket could be set to change in ways that would've been barely believable a decade ago. It's the start of a very busy agenda that takes us around the World Test Championship, to domestic competitions near and far, and casts forward to the Women's T20 World Cup starting later in the week. For this, Adam Collins has ESPNcricinfo's Matt Roller for company in the first ep of a new season. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Go Ambassador cruising with Goochy, Aggers, Blowers and Alex Tudor from December 12-19! Pick up 10% off with finalword10 at checkout here - www.ambassadorcruiseline.com Get your Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Find all our links at linktr.ee/thefinalword - including our Australia Live Show tickets! Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 2024 England Australia Daily, 5th ODI, Bristol: We got there. Five matches, five results. This one could have fallen either way, with both teams walking the tightrope of imminent rain. It was another contest that went wildly one way or another. Sometimes bowlers looked unplayable, other times they looked unusable. But a flurry of boundaries decided it before a flurry of sleet. That's our final word for the English season: next up, Season 17. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Check out Westfield London and Stratford City. Download the app: westfield.com/united-kingdom/app Geoff's wardrobe by Seadragon Studio: seadragonstudio.com Get all our links, including tickets to live shows: LINKTREE.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's Story Time, our walk through cricket history via your listener quiz challenges. This week, after orbiting her at a distance for several months, Adam and Geoff spend some time with one of Daniel's favourites, Betty Snowball. Also this week, a tale of Scotland, a one-day match that is both famous but remembered in almost no detail, and an equally forgotten one-day champion. Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week: 2.86 - Owen T 4.77 - Ollie Chauhan 18.90 - Graeme Innes 9.60 - Joel Emonson (revisit) Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Check out Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City By downloading the app: westfield.com/united-kingdom/app Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 2024 England Australia Daily, 4th ODI, Lord's: Series level. What a spectacle. Rain first, shortened to 39 overs a side, then one of the most bizarre matches you will ever see. Explosive hitting, supreme fast bowling, 2023 callbacks, 2019 callbacks, 2013 callbacks, and more besides. Jofra Archer, Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head, Liam Livingstone, all had their moments, at a ground where Australian teams so rarely lose. It's 2-2 with one to play. Will Macpherson joins Geoff Lemon. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Check out Westfield London and Stratford City. Download the app: westfield.com/united-kingdom/app Geoff's wardrobe by Seadragon Studio: seadragonstudio.com Get all our links, including tickets to live shows: LINKTREE.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 16, Episode 39: The Australian season begins, even as the English season continues to a chilly end. We’ve been busy with our TFW match and a book deadline - find out all about both. And everything else has been busy, with the county championship nearing its end, the 50-over silverware decided, Test matches around the world with another Ashwin special, and a lot more. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Check out Westfield London and Stratford City. Download the app: westfield.com/united-kingdom/app Get the Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Find all our links at linktr.ee/thefinalword - including our Australia Live Show tickets! Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 2024 England Australia Daily, 3rd ODI, Durham: We got a game! They said it would rain, but Chester-le-Street had sunshine in patches and we got most of the overs in. It was tough going against the local seamers early, but Steve Smith did his thing and Alex Carey saved the day again for Australia. Then it was over to England, where Will Jacks and Harry Brook had their own night out. Daniel Norcross joins Geoff Lemon. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Check out Westfield London and Stratford City. Download the app: westfield.com/united-kingdom/app Geoff's wardrobe by Seadragon Studio: seadragonstudio.com Get all our links, including tickets to live shows: LINKTREE.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 2024 England Australia Daily, 2nd ODI, Headingley: No, there was no Daily for the 1st ODI. Sometimes, even Can't Stop Won't Stop is defeated by a deadline. But we're back on the horse for the second match, with Cameron Ponsonby joining Geoff in Leeds. Last time Alex Carey came here, he got a very hostile reception. This time, he showed them what's what, from a disastrous position. Like the first match, a see-sawing day. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Check out Westfield London and Stratford City. Download the app: westfield.com/united-kingdom/app Geoff's wardrobe by Seadragon Studio: seadragonstudio.com Get all our links, including tickets to live shows: LINKTREE.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 16, Episode 38: They form the most Final Word adjacent domestic team in the world, and after a long winless streak The Freaks have done it. Some silverware courtesy of the T20 Blast. Take that, Freak haters. Also this week, baseless news gets all the attention out of Afghanistan although the real news is worse. South Africa is the latest country to grapple with the ethics of playing a Taliban-backed team. Kamindu Mendis keeps making tons, Ireland's women take down England a second time, Marli Beardman has the next great Australian name, and the ICC have dropped a fresh new track for your commute. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Check out Westfield London and Stratford City. Download the app: westfield.com/united-kingdom/app Get the Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Find all our links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 2024 England Australia Daily, 3rd T20, Manchester: It was a washout in Manchester: colour us surprised. But does that mean we won't record a Final Word Daily? Hell no! We still have to decide who now holds the T20 Ashes, and we have plenty to talk about ahead of the ODI series with new England captains, weird squad substitutions, and some reanimated corpses stumbling towards 2027. Matt Roller joins Geoff Lemon from the Old Trafford scorer's box. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Check out Westfield London and Stratford City. Download the app: westfield.com/united-kingdom/app Geoff's wardrobe by Seadragon Studio: seadragonstudio.com Get all our links, including tickets to live shows: LINKTREE.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 2024 England Australia Daily, 2nd T20, Cardiff: Wales has not been a happy hunting ground for Australia, and it looked like that might change on a brisk night when Travis Head and Matt Short again got flying. The contest didn't end there though, with a returning Brydon Carse having a say before the influence of Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, and a truly mad finish. Matt Roller joins Geoff Lemon. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Check out Westfield London and Stratford City. Download the app: westfield.com/united-kingdom/app Geoff's wardrobe by Seadragon Studio: seadragonstudio.com Get all our links, including tickets to live shows: LINKTREE.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices