It's Story Time, our weekly walk through cricket history via your listener quiz challenges. Today: Adam is back properly, so we get stuck into the revisits that have been piling up during some otherwise busy weeks. Bags of ten wickets, bags of dodgy cash, and bags with Alex Hales - we've got the whole gamut covered. Then doubling back over pears, plums, and The New Pringle. Plenty of fun in an extra-long show. Your new Nerd Pledge numbers: 3.99 - Jimit Raja 3.25 - Christopher Stock 10.45 - Michael Fallon 10.53 - James Melinson 6.67 - Jeremy Nash 3.59 - Rituraj Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com 20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk kit with the code TFW20 44% off Wisden Cricket Monthly subscriptions at bit.ly/wcmtfw  Check out Brick Lane Brewing on Instagram,FB and Twitter The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network  Title track by Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Season 10, Ep 21: Australia has cancelled on Afghanistan - not formally but in effect - to protest the Taliban's destructive attitudes to women. But identifying the right thing to do is difficult, given that choice also means abandoning Afghanistan's people to extremist rulers. Rather than advocating for one option, we try to look at different aspects to the problem in the hope of understanding it better. Also this week: Nagraj Gollapudi joins the show to talk about the ongoing Old Trafford cancellation kerfuffle between the England and India boards. Cameroon teenager Maeva Douma became a cult hero with four run-outs of the non-striker in a match against Uganda. Matthew Hayden will deliver some fresh word salads as coach of Pakistan. Tim Paine gets his bulge addressed, ahead of a pending Ashes that continues being a will-they-won't-they, and Amy Satterthwaite is not able to wind back the clock. Your Nerd Pledge number this week: 5.09 - Avinash Shenoy Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com 20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk kit with the code TFW20 44% off Wisden Cricket Monthly subscriptions at bit.ly/wcmtfw  Check out Brick Lane Brewing on Instagram,FB and Twitter The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network  Title track by Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Story Time, our weekly walk through cricket history via your listener quiz challenges. Today: what could be better than Shane Warne describing Shane Warne? You're in for a treat. Also, Norcross is back for another appearance, and going rogue with possible solutions once again. We remember one of South Africa's least enjoyable days, look at the biggest near-misses you can hope to find, locate the very best at a certain position, and try to figure out how a different player had a career at all. All new numbers this week, back to regular operations as of next weekend. Your new Nerd Pledge numbers: 1.92 - Max Hanlon & Max Gillespie 4.31 - George Pearson 1.00 - Shaun Tunza Ton 1.55 - Ian Wolstenhome 14.00 - Jon Lansdell 5.20 - Grant Cartledge 7.56 - Graham Hartley Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com 20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk kit with the code TFW20 44% off Wisden Cricket Monthly subscriptions at bit.ly/wcmtfw  Check out Brick Lane Brewing on Instagram,FB and Twitter The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network  Title track by Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

Season 10, Ep 19: Happy Birthday Sachin is back in a big way, in a temporarily upside-down episode. There's a 7 in the morning now? The Australian summer is upside down, with the women's series against India suddenly moved to the Sunshine State. Plus all the wash-up from the Headingley Test, a farewell to Lord Ted Dexter, and England's domestic summer winds on. Your Nerd Pledge number this week: 0.00 - Adrian Muller Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com 20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk kit with the code TFW20 44% off Wisden Cricket Monthly subscriptions at bit.ly/wcmtfw  Check out Brick Lane Brewing on Instagram,FB and Twitter The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network  Title track by Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Story Time, our weekly walk through cricket history via your listener quiz challenges. Today: when Adam met some gentlemen in the Caribbean who were working to uphold the reputation of Australians overseas, one Orchy bottle at a time. There's a detour from there up to Canada, and to see which number ended up as so many women's career best. When was the most Durham team that ever Durhamed? And would your favourite cricket podcast include the sentence "Hugh Tayfield loved to f**k"? Also! Daniel Norcross rejoins us for a moment, for one last look at the famous 9.04. Your new Nerd Pledge numbers: 3.22 - William Kaye 4.49 - Emil Varghese & Willem van Denderen 8.69 - Simon Robertson 3.90 - Nigel Browne 7.99 - Dane Hansted 4.78 - Peter Halton Plus revisits and confirmations. Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find other episodes at finalwordcricket.com  Get 20% off Woodstock kit with code TFW20 at woodstockcricket.co.uk Get 44% off a Wisden Cricket Monthly subscription at bit.ly/wcmtfw Check out Brick Lane at bricklanebrewing.com The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Season 10, Ep 18: It's far from the most important question facing the country. But given that Afghanistan's cricket team has been a consistent good-news story for the last couple of decades, those who follow the game worry about what will become of it with the Taliban back in power. Shadi Khan Saif is a journalist who has covered Afghanistan politics for years, and who escaped from Kabul the night before joining The Final Word.Also this week: Justin Langer's tenure as Australian coach remains fraught, with players angry that Cricket Australia publicly backed him before meeting with them. Malcolm Conn of the Sydney Morning Herald also joins the show to talk through the developing story. Plus, we prepare for England and India's third Test, more runs for Fawad Alam as Pakistan play West Indies, Adam is back from holiday, and Ian Botham is the UK's new trade envoy to Australia. Mmmmkay.Your Nerd Pledge number this week:8.50 - David WhiteleySend us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalwordFind previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com44% off Wisden Cricket Monthly at bit.ly/wcmtfw20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk kit with the code TFW20Check out Brick Lane Brewing on Instagram,FB and TwitterThe Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast NetworkTitle track by UrthboySupport the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalwordSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Season 10, Ep 17: Daniel Norcross joins the show this week, as Adam - for the first time in Final Word history - has a holiday. That allows Geoff and Dan to luxuriate in recalling the glorious last day of the England-India Test at Lord's, as well as the last-wicket win that West Indies somehow produced against Pakistan. You'll also learn just how passionate that night became between Daniel and former New Zealand captain Jeremy Coney. Also this week: Justin Langer's troubles bubbling over, Australia and England release their players once more to the IPL, a schedule is out for the T20 World Cup, and we update how things have gone with the Hundred. Your Nerd Pledge number this week: 4.13 - Ryan Thomas Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at  finalwordcricket.com Explore the fine work of the Lord's Taverners at lordstaverners.org 44% off Wisden Cricket Monthly at bit.ly/wcmtfw 20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk kit with the code TFW20 Check out Brick Lane Brewing on Instagram,FB and Twitter The Final Word is part of the  Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by  Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Story Time, our weekly walk through cricket history via your listener quiz challenges. Today: someone who managed one sixtieth of a Test career, and someone who managed an average that no one else has matched. The lows into highs of a player we've loved to recall. And a magical mystery tour through some of the most wild selector logic. Your new Nerd Pledge numbers: 5.88 - Jeremy Bourke 2.07 - Vijay 5.30 - Angadh Oberoi 6.41 - James Roder 3.87 - Clayton Lewis 4.41 - Steve Dodd Plus revisits and confirmations. Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find other episodes at  finalwordcricket.com  Have a look at the Lord's Taverners programs at lordstaveners.org Check out Brick Lane at bricklanebrewing.com Get 20% off Woodstock kit with code TFW20 at woodstockcricket.co.uk Get 44% off a Wisden Cricket Monthly subscription at bit.ly/wcmtfw The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Season 10, Ep 16: No surprise that the work of Roy & HG has informed the comic sensibility of the Final Word. The voice behind Rampaging Roy Slaven joins the show, in a roundabout way, having spoken to Geoff for a Guardian interview that we thought TFW listeners would like to hear in full. Also this week: the ICC confirms it will try to get cricket into the 2028 LA Olympics, and onwards. A huge shift in policy. We speak to acting CEO Geoff Allardice about how that came about. Plus the shambles of England's Test approach after the first India match, and the shambles of Australia's T20 thrashing in Bangladesh. Tigerland! Your Nerd Pledge number this week: 12.90 - Xavier Bochat Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at  finalwordcricket.com 44% off Wisden Cricket Monthly at bit.ly/wcmtfw 20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk gear with the code TFW20 Check out Brick Lane Brewery on Instagram,FB and Twitter The Final Word is part of the  Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by  Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After all the waiting, Day 4 was a classic. Early strikes from India, dogged resistance from England, that blossomed into one of Joe Root’s best tons. Every time it looked like England might pull away, India pegged them back. So the wrestle went, as England’s lead built. On the brink of Day 5, anything could yet happen. You can support the show at patreon.com/thefinalword Check out previous shows at finalwordcricket.com Get 20% off playing kit at WoodstockCricket.co.uk with the code TFW20. Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is The Final Word Daily from the England-India Test series of 2021. Adam Collins and Geoff Lemon sum up the action, name Player of the Day, and rank entries for our own Hall of Fame. Another action-filled day despite delays. KL Rahul batted on within sight of a century, in one of his most important Test innings. At the other end, there was plenty of nitro-fuelled fun from Pant, Jadeja, and an unexpected source in Jasprit Bumrah. Find The Final Word’s longer shows on podcast apps. You can support the show at patreon.com/thefinalword Check out previous shows at finalwordcricket.com Get 20% off kit at WoodstockCricket.co.uk with the code TFW20 Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Story Time, our weekly walk through cricket history via your listener quiz challenges. Today: a faster episode because we're in the middle of a Test match, but that still leaves time for a Dusty Old Bastard influx. Who did some things first? What's the deal with Tasmania? Have we found another obscure record? And what did Neville Cardus have to say about it? All this and more, on Story Time. Your new Nerd Pledge numbers: 6.58 - Adam Jones 9.00 - Rory Denis & Paul Cherry 4.97 - Colin Burton 3.42 - Harley Holcombe 2.69 - Simon "Old" Trafford Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find other episodes at  finalwordcricket.com  Check out Brick Lane at bricklanebrewing.com Get 20% off Woodstock kit with code TFW20 at woodstockcricket.co.uk Get 44% off a Wisden Cricket Monthly subscription at bit.ly/wcmtfw The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Final Word Daily for the England-India Tests of 2021. With play limited play by rain, there was still time for the Test to twist and turn. Jimmy Anderson is as young as ever, Ajinkya Rahane has bought a new car, and KL Rahul now has to be Mr Reliable. You can support the show at patreon.com/thefinalword Check out previous shows at finalwordcricket.com Get 20% off kit at WoodstockCricket.co.uk with the code TFW20 Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Final Word Daily for the England-India Tests of 2021. Four seamers, big results. England chose to bat and India’s quicks finished them off not long after tea. Only Joe Root stood against the tide. You can support the show at patreon.com/thefinalword Check out previous shows at finalwordcricket.com Get 20% off playing kit at WoodstockCricket.co.uk with the code TFW20. Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Season 10, Ep 15: Most of us were kids who dreamed of being rock stars. None of us had the single-minded determination to set about making it happen. Felix did, taking a bunch of mates at uni in Bristol to No.1 on the UK charts with the Maccabees. What's even more unexpected is the part that cricket played in Felix's life, two obsessions forming an unlikely partnership. Now he's written down that story, in a beautiful debut book that ties together ambition, grief, and loneliness, and the extraordinary power that any of those can have. Felix is a very special guest to talk through the tale of It's Always Summer Somewhere. Your Nerd Pledge number this week: 3.02 - Glenn Finkelde Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at  finalwordcricket.com 44% off Wisden Cricket Monthly at bit.ly/wcmtfw 20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk gear with the code TFW20 Check out Brick Lane Brewery on Instagram,FB and Twitter The Final Word is part of the  Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by  Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Story Time, our weekly walk through cricket history via your listener quiz challenges. Today: Nawabs come in all shapes and sizes. We respect them all. Or do we? There's also one of Adam's favourite weeks at a Test match, plus a little dash of Winnie, and some really really really niche Surrey stuff. No surprises there. Plus some of the biggest names and one of the smallest, for a second turn at being our DOB. Your new Nerd Pledge numbers: 2.00 - Gareth the Surrey Badger 4.01 - Evan Granger 8.80 - Michael Edelstein 1.20 - Jai Singh 1.88 - SteveStevens 6.49 - Jesse G Plus revisits and confirmations. Check out Adam's Guardian panel at gu.com/guardianlive with Emma John, Taha Hashim, Felicity Ward and Aatif Nawaz Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find other episodes at  finalwordcricket.com  Check out Brick Lane at bricklanebrewing.com Get 20% off Woodstock kit with code TFW20 at woodstockcricket.co.uk Get 44% off a Wisden Cricket Monthly subscription at bit.ly/wcmtfw The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Season 10, Ep 14: Like it, hate it, or ignore it, The Hundred is... hunderway? The stakes are high. The bills are high. So is the risk of a stumble. Henry Moeran has been watching more of the actual cricket than anyone, leading the BBC radio coverage. He joins The Final Word to talk through the possibilities and pitfalls of the ECB's big bet. Also on the show this week: might England bail on the Ashes? Not likely but suggestions have begun. India's reserve team gets timed out by covid, so it's time for the reserve reserves - will Rahul Dravid have to strap on the pads? While Australia dodge their own covid brush in the Caribbean and board the plane for Bangladesh. Your Nerd Pledge number this week: 1.80 - Darcy Matthews Check out Adam's panel for the Guardian at gu.com/guardianlive Featuring Emma John, Taha Hashim, Felicity Ward and Aatif Nawaz Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at  finalwordcricket.com Hit the socials for Brick Lane Brewery and say we sent you: Instagram,FB and Twitter 44% off Wisden Cricket Monthly at bit.ly/wcmtfw 20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk gear with the code TFW20 Hit the socials for Brick Lane Brewery and say we sent you: Instagram,FB and Twitter The Final Word is part of the  Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by  Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A mini-episode to let people know about our Discord server, which is basically a website where listeners to the show can hang out. It's a bit like the old-school chat boards with different pages for different subjects, but way more high-tech with things like video embedding and voice-chat channels to supplement your keyboard. Being a closed page where we know people's identities, it's a bit more safe and chilled out than public-facing social media. If you want somewhere to chat to people during cricket matches, for instance, without the Wild West elements, listen in for tips from Discord expert Anna Forsyth on what it's about and how to access it. That, Nerd Pledge, and other bonuses are at: patreon.com/thefinalword Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Story Time, our weekly walk through cricket history via your listener quiz challenges. Today: more proof of the compelling case that the one-day tri-series must return. An understated and underrated turn from Allan Border. The numerical quirks of Bangladesh, and a big day for Sri Lanka Navy Sports Club. Then some long-term revisits take us around the Monopoly board via Arthur Shrewsbury's haunted house. And who's up for the vaccine game at London Fields?Your new Nerd Pledge numbers:11.15 – Tim Vanderpump2.98 – Dom Philp2.62 – Will Cuckson1.43 – Ehite Ekramul HaquePlus revisits and confirmations.Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalwordFind other episodes at  finalwordcricket.com Check out Brick Lane at bricklanebrewing.comGet 20% off Woodstock kit with code TFW20 at woodstockcricket.co.ukGet 44% off a Wisden Cricket Monthly subscription at bit.ly/wcmtfwThe Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by UrthboySupport the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalwordSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Season 10, Ep 13: From captaining boys' under-10s to captaining England goes the story. But retiring as a player brought much more. By now it's fair to say that no one person has driven as much progress for women in cricket as Clare Connor. Through the ECB and ICC, this is the story of that change. It's also the story of the human side of making it happen. On the first day of the controversial Hundred competition, and soon after learning that she will become the first woman president of the Marylebone Cricket Club, we sit down with Clare for a full Final Word special. Your Nerd Pledge number this week: 3.28 - Lara Killick Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at  finalwordcricket.com Hit the socials for Brick Lane and say we sent you: Instagram,FB and Twitter 44% off Wisden Cricket Monthly at bit.ly/wcmtfw 20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk gear with the code TFW20 Get Geoff’s new book The Comeback Summer The Final Word is part of the  Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by  Urthboy     Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Story Time, our weekly walk through cricket history via your listener quiz challenges. Today: a time when it all happened with ease for the Son of Swamp. And a time when Swamp himself didn't go too badly. Plus a freakish coincidence with a previous number, a time when WG had a good run, a hat-related Belfast incident, a visit to Ridley Jacobs, and an untelevised trip to Colombo. There's plenty for all. Your new Nerd Pledge numbers: 6.16 – Schoumendu Schornikow 2.40 – Danny McGee & Pushkar Godbole 4.50 – Cam Again & Brendan Crabb (yes, we did the wrong number again) Plus many revisits this week, and confirmations. Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at  finalwordcricket.com  Check out our friends Brick Lane at bricklanebrewing.com Get 20% off Woodstock kit with code TFW20 at woodstockcricket.co.uk Get 44% off a Wisden Cricket Monthly subscription at bit.ly/wcmtfw The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Season 10, Ep 12: It can be hard to follow Justin Langer's line of logic. The Australian men's coach has an extempore media style that over time can veer into inconsistency. After enough misgivings about his coaching style to prompt a formal review, and after talk about embracing the chance to grow, this week the coach had moved back to denying there was a problem to begin with. Let's try to untangle. Also: Langer's team is being smashed up by the Windies in St Lucia. All of the English season is at risk of collapse thanks to COVID running through teams, with The Hundred and the India Tests particularly exposed. India's women played a blinder to stay in their series with England, Harleen Deol took flight, Sri Lanka's ODI series got delayed, and South Africa are in trouble against Ireland in the World Cup Super League. Meanwhile, the ICC chief executive has been quietly pushed out of the organisation. Your Nerd Pledge number this week: 1.01 - Jack Jorgensen Hit the socials for Brick Lane Brewing Community and tell them we sent you. @bricklanebrewing for Instagram and FB @bricklanebrewco on Twitter Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at  finalwordcricket.com Get 44% off Wisden Cricket Monthly at bit.ly/wcmtfw Get 20% off primo WoodstockCricket.co.uk gear with the code TFW20 Get Geoff’s new book The Comeback Summer The Final Word is part of the  Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by  Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Story Time, our weekly walk through cricket history via your listener quiz challenges. Today: there's something about doctors and cricket, they just keep coming up. We try to measure up to the unmeasurable, then wind all the way back to a literary classic born before the First World War, taking in another glimpse of the Test triangular, and look at the most underrated of the underrated, as well as the biggest achievement by far. Plus our listeners Declan Lawlor and Nick Tewson are raising money by the sweat of their brows. Your new Nerd Pledge numbers: 8.75 – Bob Tronson & Darragh O'Donovan 2.88 – W. G. Rumblepants 4.62 – Sean Barry 5.66 – Will Sandford 7.27 – ED Plus revisits and confirmations. Declan Lawlor's marathons are underway! He is right now running the length of the Thames in the space of four days. You can still donate to his Lord's Tavs fundraiser here. Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at  finalwordcricket.com  Check out our new friends Brick Lane at bricklanebrewing.com Get 20% off Woodstock kit with code TFW20 at woodstockcricket.co.uk Get 44% off a Wisden Cricket Monthly subscription at bit.ly/wcmtfw The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Title track by Urthboy Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.