West Indies Australia Daily, 1st Test, Barbados Day 3: How the hell is that over? This match was destined for Day 4, with some hope of a good tussle, and then in one frantic burst of evening destruction, everything changed. Find out about the most frantic extra 43 minutes of Test cricket we may ever have seen. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919:...
Jun 27, 2025•30 min
West Indies Australia Daily, 1st Test, Barbados Day 2: The wickets kept falling, and the game kept galloping along, as Australia put the pressure on West Indies before West Indies returned the favour once again. Three Caribbean quicks, four Caribbean seamers, working in concert at the grand old ground in Bridgetown? Yes please, although it wasn't a fun day for the worked-over Sam Konstas. Anything could happen from here. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/...
Jun 26, 2025•26 min
West Indies Australia Daily, 1st Test, Barbados Day 1: Does Shamar Joseph enjoy anything more than bowling against Australia? It's hard to see how. The excitement machine clicked into gear once more at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, before Jayden Seales had his part of the day. In the meantime, Travis Head entertained in his usual way, and Australia's bowlers got the contest boiling. We have a live one! Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword...
Jun 25, 2025•29 min
England India Daily, 1st Test, Headingley, Review: Daniel Norcross and Ben Jones assess a wild Test match in Leeds that was… actually quite predictable when you break it down day by day. Is this the end of batting first in England? Daniel seems to think so. Joe Root continues to be unnervingly nerveless in run chases. Looking to Edgbaston, how will the bowling lineups look? Will Akash Deep or Arshdeep Singh be called in to bolster the pace attack? Will we see Atkinson return for England or, whis...
Jun 25, 2025•37 min
England India Daily, 1st Test, Headingley Day 5: England do it! They pull off the 10th-highest chase in history. A lacklustre India provided only scant challenges, as an England batting lineup, turbo-charged by Ben Duckett, put India to the sword. What does this mean for India? A “Bumrah Test” is lost, and Guatam Gambhir is now 3 wins, 7 losses, 1 draw in tests. India are the first team in first class cricket history to lose a game having made five centuries. How did they muck this up? Cameron P...
Jun 24, 2025•29 min
West Indies Australia Daily, 1st Test, Barbados Day 0: A ground packed with history, a country that has produced more superstars than any in the region - it's a privilege to be at Kensington Oval. When the Frank Worrell Trophy series begins, it will be as Australia "reset" (in their words) for a new WTC cycle having lost the big one at Lord's, with the Windies trying to start afresh themselves under new skipper Roston Chase. Oh, speaking of captains - we have some news at the end about Pat Cummi...
Jun 24, 2025•23 min
England India Daily, 1st Test, Headingley Day 4: It is impossible not to talk about Rishabh Pant. Twin tons for a wicketkeeper? That has only happened once before, but let's make it twice. It's a bad day to be KL Rahul. On India went, back England came, and now, for the fourth night in a row, the match remains... poised. Big run chase to come! Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Check out Noobru to give your brain a boost: 15% o...
Jun 23, 2025•32 min
England India Daily, 1st Test, Headingley Day 3: What was Harry Brook thinking? And before that, the same question applies to Jamie Smith. Also, how have England reached parity with only one ton compared to three? But here we are, dare we say evenly poised, after an inspired bowling change just before tea by Shubman Gill. You may be able to guess who he turned to. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Check out Noobru to give your b...
Jun 22, 2025•28 min
England India Daily, 1st Test, Headingley Day 2: Rishabh Pant made it three tons for India on Day 2 with a rollicking century. But with an Ollie Pope blinder, England fought back to limit the damage, then held their grip despite some Bumrah blows. They could be out of it tomorrow, but they’re still in it right now. Ben Jones joins Daniel Norcross. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Check out Noobru to give your brain a boost: get 1...
Jun 21, 2025•31 min
England India Daily, 1st Test, Headingley Day 1: “We’ll have a bowl.” It's not done yet, but Ben Stokes may live to regret that call, as a new generation of India batters feast on listless bowling. What’s England’s way back into the game? Ben Jones thinks there could be an opening. And for India, were the new superstars already here, and has Rishabh found his groove this early? Here's to teeing off, not recklessly. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword...
Jun 20, 2025•29 min
England India Daily, 1st Test, Headingley Day 0: It's about to begin. Five Test matches between two huge teams, with Ben Stokes and the bish-bash brigade versus a new-look India with Shubman Gill at the helm, and Rishabh Pant as the devil on his shoulder. It could go absolutely anywhere. Daniel Norcross joins Geoff Lemon. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Check out Noobru to give your brain a boost: get 15% off at our link: noob...
Jun 20, 2025•34 min
Season 18, Episode 19: Still in the afterglow of South Africa’s World Test Championship win, apparently the real hero is… board chair Jay Shah? You may think we’re talking about him a lot lately, but ask the ICC camera crews that slavishly followed him around. Also this week, Virat Kohli chooses a very pointed moment to back Test cricket, the new cycle begins, there’s trouble with Tassie’s stadium, NZ’s most successful coach pulls the pin, and we finally have dates for the very imminent women’s ...
Jun 18, 2025•1 hr 27 min•Season 18Ep. 19
It's Story Time, our walk through cricket history via your listener quiz challenges. This week, we go back to the northern summer of 1990 when the pitches and balls were as flat as each other, ruining bowlers across the UK. Earlier, Adam explored the forgotten hero of the first Test ever played and Geoff told the unhappy story of three siblings who struggled at the top. Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week: 7.10 - Mel Shawley 6.42 - Vikram Ravi 3.66 - Chris Unwin Support the show with a Nerd Pledg...
Jun 16, 2025•1 hr 7 min
World Test Championship Final, the day after: When South Africa fell short in the T20 World Cup Final last year, it was Dan Gallan who we called upon to explain the deep hurt. So, as promised, he returns the day after a massive celebration to put into words why the Proteas' triumph means so very much. Also, an eye to Australia's "reset", which begins in Barbados next week. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword We welcome Noobru to our team!...
Jun 15, 2025•37 min
World Test Championship Final, Day 4: They bloody well did it. South Africa and winning finals - that hasn't been a pairing that has seen much airtime in international cricket. Things didn't look good this time around either. But after a remarkable final push, it is offical: South Africa are the World Test Champions. It matters for so many reasons, and right now it is a wildly emotional day at Lord's. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword We ...
Jun 14, 2025•30 min
World Test Championship Final, Day 3: South Africa have looked the underdog throughout this WTC final, but halfway through the third day, that all changed. Even the torment that Starc and Hazlewood put them through with the bat was washed away, as Aiden Markram put together the innings of his life. But they're not done yet, and for South Africa, the last part of the climb has so far proved too hard. Can they finish the job on Day 4? Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com...
Jun 13, 2025•30 min
World Test Championship Final, Day 2: If Rabada fired on day one, Cummins fired back on day two, in a battle of fast-bowling quality that any preview could and should have predicted. Then it was Lungi Ngidi's turn to exert an influence, in a match hurtling towards a conclusion but that could easily go either way. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword We welcome Noobru to our team! We love the stuff. Get 15% off right away by clicking: noobru.co...
Jun 12, 2025•33 min
World Test Championship Final, Day 1: South Africa needed to do some damage with their quick bowlers early to challenge Australia, and they did exactly that. It set up a tight contest through the day, with Lord's in fine voice, before Australia's quicks had their own say by the close. A shootout might well be on. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword We welcome Noobru to our team! We love the stuff. Get 15% off right away by clicking: noobru.com/f...
Jun 11, 2025•29 min
World Test Championship Final, Day 0: It's here. Two years of Test cricket ends with a decider at the ground where it was always designed to be when it was first dreamed up - Lord's. The teams are as ready as they're ever going to be, the XIs named, and we're ready to roll with Adam enjoying Bharat Sundaresan's company as they run through the lot of it. Here we go. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword We welcome Noobru to our team! We love the stuff...
Jun 10, 2025•23 min
Season 18, Episode 18: Cricket Australia's new CEO came ready to talk when sitting down with Adam at Lord's two days before the WTC Final. Typically at this point, we list what was discussed but this time, but it'd be easier to identify what didn't come up in one of the busiest eps we've ever recorded. What's obvious: Todd Greenberg is a man determined to make his time in the top job count and isn't afraid to say what he thinks on issues that divide. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at ...
Jun 09, 2025•1 hr 21 min•Season 18Ep. 18
It's Story Time, our walk through cricket history via your listener quiz challenges. This week, who is the most significant Test cricketer who doesn't even have one line of a Cricinfo bio? We've got a top contender, then it's over to you. Also this week, a different twist on Pakistani marathons, the Irish-India connection, and one of the worst to wield the willow. Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week: 6.64 - Tom Logan 9.60 - Xavier Bochat 4.72 - Dan 1.42 - Bala Sivaraman Support the show with a Ne...
Jun 06, 2025•1 hr 28 min
Season 18, Episode 17: The IPL turned 18 this year, old enough for Royal Challengers Bangalore to finally buy a celebratory drink after falling short in every season. Virat Kohli and co will be happy, as will Ben Jones in our IPL segment, after picking Krunal Pandya way back at the start of the season to be the difference. Before that, World Test Championship lead-up, Karun Nair and Kurtis Patterson continue the comeback trail, more Olympic machinations emerge, and Bangladesh will once more be A...
Jun 04, 2025•1 hr 47 min
Season 18, Episode 16: A special ep today – yes, Glenn Maxwell has retired from One Day International cricket. In this exclusive conversation, he explains that decision in his own words, the timing and wider context. From there, we went back to the beginning to the tell the story of Maxi the one-day mainstay, in a mighty career that in this format that spanned 14 years and included two World Cup wins. As always, he was on top form in this chat – a lovely way to put a full stop on one of Australi...
Jun 02, 2025•57 min•Season 18Ep. 15
It's Story Time, our walk through cricket history via your listener quiz challenges. This week, almost silent and almost deadly, was Malcolm Marshall the best to ever fire down the ball at pace? Also, when a couple of Australians went big, the one with a triple and the one who threw it away. Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week: 2.15 - Liam Fallon 3.76 - Ben McLeod 2.51 - Oliver Jawara 8.54 - Alex Brown Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword We have 47 runners in...
May 30, 2025•1 hr 50 min
Season 18, Episode 15: As England took care of Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge, India's new-look Test squad has arrived, with glamour option Shubman Gill leading the side, but we're much more excited about the comeback trail for Karun Nair and a first chance for our emotional investment, Sai Sudarshan. In other news, Big Ange is on the way out (not that one), Ireland are making runs, Hayley Matthews is screaming into the void, and The Dicks are together again for the WTC final. Support the show with a ...
May 27, 2025•1 hr 55 min
It's Story Time, our walk through cricket history via your listener quiz challenges. This week, one of the peaks of the peak, that isn't talked about as often as some others. Also, another run-looter of prodigious proportions, one of the best combinations ever, and have we found the most dynamic start to a career? Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week: 5.01 - Julian Russell 2.04 - Matt 4.40 - Jane Seeber 6.74 - Rob Findlay Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword We h...
May 25, 2025•1 hr 30 min
England v Zimbabwe, Trent Bridge Test, Day 3: Ben Jones joins Daniel Norcross. DONATE TO OUR EDINBURGH RUNNERS BELOW. Is Shoaib Bashir coming of age? Can Ben Duckett see over Blessing Muzarabani’s pads? Why we shouldn’t write off England’s bowlers for Sean Williams getting on top of them. Will the accurate Sam Cook’s 78mph top speed be an issue for more potent batting lineups? Will Josh Tongue be the key bowler of the summer? Could Zimbabwe have taken a bit more of a gamble on Day 1 to alter the...
May 24, 2025•27 min
England v Zimbabwe, 1st Test, Trent Bridge Test, Day 2: Cameron Ponsonby joins Daniel Norcross. Zimbabwe put up the fight that many thought was beyond them, or did they? Depends on the time of day and who you ask. Has Brian Bennett played the innings of the summer? Has Mark Butcher delivered the whimsy of the summer? England’s bowlers enforced the follow-on, but will it count for those who don’t want it to? In a zero-sum situation, we may have seen Shoaib Bashir's turning point. And how does Mar...
May 23, 2025•28 min
England Zimbabwe Daily, Lord's Test, Day 1: It's England Test season, with Zimbabwe back for the first time in 22 years - but they may wish they'd given it a miss, after England piled up the runs. So, do you love or hate Zak Crawley? Will Jacob Bethell come straight back in for Ollie Pope, even now? Do you believe in the new 'humble England'? And just what in the hell is caffeinated beer? Cameron Ponsonby joins Geoff to find out. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinal...
May 22, 2025•27 min
Season 18, Episode 14: It's almost northern Test summer time, with Ben Stokes out of hibernation, Zimbabwe playing warm-ups, and the Australian and South African IPL players... heading back to India to finish the delayed season. Ah well. Meanwhile, Cam Green makes runs while Marnus doesn't, the South African squad is named, West Indies have a new captain, Middlesex is more into Virat Kohli than Kohli is into Middlesex, and Charlotte Edwards' first squad doesn't include Sophie Ecclestone, which m...
May 20, 2025•1 hr 52 min•Season 18Ep. 14
