Season 10, Ep 11: Remember when England's whole team got COVID? Or something like that, we're not big on detail. That's why we've got Will Macpherson on the show to tell us about England having to quarantine an entire squad who caught the bug at home, after pulling out of various trips overseas to avoid catching the same. How did it happen, what's happening, and why weren't more hilarious selections made among the Replacements. Also: Mithali Raj and either the go-slow or the champion's perfect pace, depending which way you see it. Jimmy Anderson gets 1000 first-class wickets. Pavel Florin takes a stack in T20s as Romania runs the table. Ollie Robinson's case gets closed. And everyone loves a review these days - Justin Langer and his players face up to an independent look at his coaching style. Your Nerd Pledge number this week: 3.29 - Lachlan Smith Follow the socials with 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.

Story Time is back, our weekly walk through cricket history via your listener quiz challenges. Today: the coolest band name of Adam's youth makes an unexpected appearance. We crunch some numbers on Lawrence Rowe, tackle a proper cryptic, and look at days when it was all about swinging for the fences, once by a Test player and once by TFW listener Osman Bahemia. There's also another appearance from Geoff's own Jean Valjean. Your new Nerd Pledge numbers: 2.38 – Dom Griffiths 2.85 – Sid 5.96 – Pete Simmons 2.57 – Josh 4.08 – Lachan Pye 1.99 – Alan Simpson Plus revisits and confirmations. If you want to urge on Declan Lawlor to finish his several marathons along the Thames, you can 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 For a discount subscription to Wisden Cricket Monthly, the magic key is bit.ly/wcmtfw Get 20% off Woodstock kit with code TFW20 at woodstockcricket.co.uk 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 10: After much hand-wringing from us over poor over rates, the time has come to step back from the flame and take a closer look at what is happening, why it is happening and how it might be fixed. Andrew Samson, the BBC's master statistician/historian, joined us for part of that chat. Later, we worry about the state of India's women's team before finishing with a thoroughly wonderful story from South London where women and girls players are being looked after like never before. Oh, and we're very excited to welcome a new partner to The Final Word team... Brick Lane Brewing! Follow @bricklanebrewing on Instagram and Facebook.  Your Nerd Pledge number this week: 3.16 – Jonathan Brand Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Message from anywhere on earth with your ZOLEO, at zoleo.com Get Geoff’s new book The Comeback Summer And here is where can support Dulwich CC's work to revolutionise the Griffin Sports Club: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/a-cricket-ground-that-puts-women-girls-first   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 9: WTC #1 has been run and won, done and done, New Zealand are one from one. The next instalment has the same structure, but from 2023 things could change up. So at the earliest opportunity we're going to thrash out what could be improved, in a conversation with Wisden Cricket Monthly editor Phil Walker. Also this week: Vinoo Mankad freaks, dance in the streets! After a most deserved gong. Ke$hav Maharaj gets a hat-trick, Danni Wyatt gets pushed out of England's ODI team, Eoin Morgan gets nowhere in addressing past faults, Charlotte Edwards gets an overdue honour, and England players get nervous about visiting Australia. Your Nerd Pledge number this week: 1.30 – Dannish Babar Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Message from anywhere on earth with your ZOLEO, at zoleo.com 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.

They’ve done it: after a lot of near misses, the New Zealanders have won a major trophy. A historic one, too, in the first ever World Test Championship. A lot needed to go right for them on the sixth day after so much time was lost to rain, but they made sure that a lot did go right. Each of Tim Southee, Kyle Jamieson, Neil Wagner and Trent Boult made an impression with the ball, before the old firm of Kane Williamson and Luteru Ross Taylor did the job with the bat. Rishabh Pant threatened to take the match away, but was stopped in time. All round a fine achievement. You can support the show at patreon.com/thefinalword. 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.

Yet another excellent day of Test cricket, with a gripping battle between bat and ball all through the morning session. The advantage swung from one team to the other. Kane Williamson produced a masterclass, Mohammed Shami produced some brilliance, Tim Southee produced key interventions, Cheteshwar Pujara produced his high standard. With the sixth day to come, there is still some hope of a win for either side. Find The Final Word’s longer shows on podcast apps. You can support the show at patreon.com/thefinalword. 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.

Another gripping day that again ended prematurely thanks to bad light. Kyle Jamieson set a Test record with another five-wicket haul, up against some fight from Ajinkya Rahane and Ravichandran Ashwin. Then it was New Zealand’s turn to be scrutinised against the moving ball, with India’s quicks starting the interrogation but Ashwin getting first results. The most important moment of the day happened in the last five minutes... Find The Final Word’s longer shows on podcast apps. You can support the show at patreon.com/thefinalword. 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.

What a rearguard, what a fight. Sneh Rana, Shikha Pandey, Taniya Bhatia, Deepti Sharma and Shafali Verma were all among the stars as India fought back from following on to save the Test against England. Meanwhile, in the men’s final, New Zealand chose to bowl first and had some success with Kyle Jamieson and Neil Wagner after some flourish from Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill.  You can support the show at patreon.com/thefinalword. 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.

We got one XI, we didn’t get the other XI, and we didn’t get a toss. Not much to report on after all the build-up to the match at Southampton. Lucky it goes for six days. Across the country though, India’s women were on the field in Bristol, and despite falling just short of the follow-on mark, Shafali Verma continued to break records.  You can support the show at patreon.com/thefinalword. 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 8: Snehal Pradhan joins the show this week - the former India bowler has become an advocate for women in India, and co-wrote the the report An Equal Hue on the problems and solutions facing women's cricket in the country. Also, our preview of the World Test Championship, Shakib's meltdown in Bangladesh, Tim Paine on troubles with Australia's many-times-quarantining players, Ebony Rainford-Brent's gong, and a surprising appointment to the Cricket Australia board. And yes, this episode came out late. It should have been on Wednesday. Errmm, technical difficulties? Sorry. Your Nerd Pledge number this week: 1.78 - Stewart Duncan 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.

What a breakneck day. First it was England’s tailenders swinging the cue with help from Sophia Dunkley. Then it was another player on debut, Shafali Verma, coming within one big hit of a Test century. Smriti Mandhana blazed off the back foot, then England surged back late with wickets aplenty. Short of the follow-on mark, there’s plenty in store on Day 3. Find The Final Word’s longer shows on podcast apps. You can support the show at patreon.com/thefinalword. 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.

It started fast, with Lauren Winfield-Hill launching sixes over the leg side and Tammy Beaumont playing strokemaker as ever. Heather Knight nearly made a ton, Natalie Sciver was in a bombastic mood, but then the wickets started to fall. Sneh Rana and Deepti Sharma did most of the good work, while Sophia Dunkley had some work to do on a historic debut. Find The Final Word’s longer shows on podcast apps. You can support the show at patreon.com/thefinalword. 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.

The formalities were completed, and now New Zealand head into the World Test Championship final on a winning note. But which of their many bowling options will each team choose? Bumrah, Ishant, Shami, Ashwin, Jadeja, Siraj are all top-class for India. Boult, Southee, Wagner, Jamieson, Henry are the same for New Zealand, but space for a spinner is also required, and Ajaz Patel may have gone past Santner. So many options, so little time, as England try to make sense of such a comprehensive defeat. You can support the show at patreon.com/thefinalword Get 20% off playing kit at WoodstockCricket.co.uk with the code TFW20 The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network 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: back to the Smokers v Non-Smokers match for a minute, via a trip to the West Country. An all-time great finish that you won't remember, an unwanted record for drink-mixing, and a whole lot of confusion about x and y and what happens in between. Your new Nerd Pledge numbers: 4.11 – Not That Tim Minchin & Rory Seymour 3.35 – Sam Chappell 3.57 – James Tiernan 3.75 – Matt Keane Plus revisits and confirmations. Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at  finalwordcricket.com  For a discount subscription to Wisden Cricket Monthly, the magic key is bit.ly/wcmtfw Get 20% off Woodstock kit with code TFW20 at woodstockcricket.co.uk 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 fortress didn’t last for long. Day 3 featured another English batting collapse, too modest to even be especially dramatic, brought on by persistent quality from New Zealand’s bowlers. The Kiwis have almost got this match in their keeping, after a day in fast forward. You can support the show at patreon.com/thefinalword Get 20% off playing kit at WoodstockCricket.co.uk with the code TFW20 The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark Wood had some fun with the bat as England surged on to 303, and Broad got Tom Latham out early. From then on, things stopped going England’s way. Dropped catches, overruled appeals, and a lack of luck for some quality bowling. On the other side, New Zealand just keep finding good new players. This time it was Will Young joining Devon Conway to gradually build up the runs. New Zealand are 74 behind with 7 wickets in hand. You can support the show at patreon.com/thefinalword Get 20% off playing kit at WoodstockCricket.co.uk with the code TFW20 The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A proper twisting turning day of Test cricket started this match off, with a arm wrestle of a first session, a run of wickets in the second, and some tail-end fighting back in the third. England would have been worried earlier but will be fairly happy after Lawrence and Burns found some runs, while Boult returned with the ball for New Zealand to partner well with Matt Henry. You can support the show at patreon.com/thefinalword Get 20% off playing kit at WoodstockCricket.co.uk with the code TFW20 The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Season 10, Ep 7: Vish joins the show in a busy week in England after Ollie Robinson was suspended following his Test debut. We talk through the purpose of his suspension, his history of racist jokes, and what part is played by age – either of the comments themselves or the person making them. Also this week: Dan Christian for Australia! He's in the touring squad. But how many weeks of quarantine is it reasonable to ask of someone? The England women's contracts are announced, the Heyhoe-Flint trophy is full of runs, and Netherlands keep on winning against bigger teams. Your Nerd Pledge number this week: 5.12 – Dominic da Souza Correa Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Message from anywhere on earth with your ZOLEO, at zoleo.com 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.

New Zealand set up the Test match beautifully on Day 5 at Lord’s but England refused to play ball. What gives? Ollie Robinson is out, and the draw leaves plenty of questions about who will feature in the second Test. You can support the show at patreon.com/thefinalword Get 20% off playing kit at WoodstockCricket.co.uk with the code TFW20 The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What a tussle on the fourth day. Tim Southee finished with six wickets, Rory Burns finished with his best Test century, and England finished up just over a hundred runs behind on the first innings. But with the whole third day lost to rain, it will take something impressive for New Zealand to set up this match for a win. You can support the show at patreon.com/thefinalword Get 20% off playing kit at WoodstockCricket.co.uk with the code TFW20 The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network 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: raise the bat. 50 episodes of this indulgence are somehow in the bag. We'll have both Mad Dogs and Englishmen, midday sun or otherwise. A closer look at the fitting finish to an epic Test series, an exhibition of T20 perfection, some pure filth from 100 years earlier, and the Final Word's party number gets another run. This is also the week for a chaotic attempt at Julio Pledge! The far less accomplished game on the show. Your new Nerd Pledge numbers: 4.19 – Dan Walsh & Alastair Wilson 2.73 – Brian Stratford 3.24 – Dane Hansted 3.69 – Sam Littlejohn 2.13 – Harrison Payne Your Julio Pledgers: Nick Rice Anand Viswanathan Paul Dennett Jagannathan Tiruvallur Eachambadi Ross Davey Alex Pranav Lalan Susheel R Ramasahayam Brian Withington Rob Kingston Eleanor Higgs Richard Oakley Mohit Mark Peckham Matt Whitehouse James Mulcahy Matt Featherstone Peter James Patrick Blondi Josh Williams Tane Aikman Plus revisits and confirmations. Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at  finalwordcricket.com  To help Nick Tewson raise funds for Lord's Taverners with his big bike ride: click here.  To do your own Tavs adventure, look here.  For a discount subscription to Wisden Cricket Monthly, the magic key is bit.ly/wcmtfw Get 20% off Woodstock kit with code TFW20 at woodstockcricket.co.uk 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.

He resumed the day on 136 and just kept going. But not everything was Conway’s way. Mark Wood started a speed spell for England, and the match rattled and rolled. Then came Neil Wagner to add some flourish in ways that only he can. NZ’s first innings is wrapped, and England have started a decent reply. You can support the show at patreon.com/thefinalword Get 20% off playing kit at WoodstockCricket.co.uk with the code TFW20 The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Win the toss, bat first, and make a ton. It couldn’t be easier for Devon Conway, who is unbeaten overnight with the highest score ever made on debut at Lord’s. England went with an interesting bowling approach, and couldn’t break through often enough despite a fine show of quality. A proper tussle on the first day. You can support the show at patreon.com/thefinalword Get 20% off playing kit at WoodstockCricket.co.uk with the code TFW20 The Final Word is part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network Support the show: https://patreon.com/thefinalword See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Season 10, Ep 6: Daniel Brettig joins the show to discuss Cricket Australia's new and old appointment as CEO, as well as Dan's own appointment at The Age. We look at a crazy year in the life of Boom Boom Afridi, the upcoming Test between England and New Zealand, the arrival home at last for Australia's players, another round of political strife in Afghanistan cricket, the county wrap and the new World Cup format. Plus another Milk Round. Your Nerd Pledge number this week: 3.65 – Nick Dempsey Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Message from anywhere on earth with your ZOLEO, at zoleo.com Check out CBUS Super at https://www.cbussuper.com.au/thefinalword 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 trip across Australia's lines from the Brisbane to the Barassi. Some cryptic stuff about numbers that don't equal other numbers. A couple of the great counterattacks, and the fastest in the world in more ways than one. Jean Valjean is back, along with 1970s beer advertisements and even more time than usual in the 1800s. Your new Nerd Pledge numbers: 5.43 – Cheemgadar & Peder Roberts. 2.22 – Srikanth Agaram & John Tucker 2.00 – Rob O'Neill Plus revisits and confirmations. Send us a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find previous episodes at  finalwordcricket.com  To support Declan Lawlor's Lord's Taveners run along the Thames, click here.  To do your own Tavs adventure, look here.  For a discount subscription to Wisden Cricket Monthly, the magic key is bit.ly/wcmtfw Get 20% off Woodstock kit with code TFW20 at woodstockcricket.co.uk Check out CBUS Super at cbussuper.com.au/thefinalword 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.