The Final Word Cricket Podcast

TFW Daily, Australia India 3rd ODI, Sydney: For one last time in Australia, the old partnership did it again. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma scoured back the rust and wound back the clock with a vintage partnership that set the SCG alight. Just as well, in a game that had its flat points thanks to an indifferent Australian performance, but in the end it was all about the star power - and Ravi Shastr...

Women's World Cup Day 25, Sri Lanka v Pakistan: Another washout. Another one. What a shambles. It makes three abandoned games each for Sri Lanka and Pakistan as their tournaments end with 26 balls in Colombo. Adam has Andrew Fidel Fernando with him to lament just how a significant portion of this marquee tournament was somehow scheduled in a monsoon season. Learn about Lacuna Sports - bespoke fema...

Women's World Cup Day 24, India v New Zealand: It was always likely that today would seal the last semi-final spot in this edition of the World Cup, as long as a sodden New Zealand didn't bring the weather with them. India were out to shrug off a series of tight losses and also break a three-game losing streak against the current T20 World Cup holders. Geoff Lemon joins Daniel Norcross. Learn abou...

TFW Daily, Australia India 2nd ODI, Adelaide: It was a full game this time around, and it involved a proper battle between old foes Starc and Hazlewood on the one side and Rohit Sharma on the other. Meanwhile, it was a bittersweet final visit to Virat Kohli's favourite city, and a day for the best of the Big Bash to prove their worth for Australia: Matt Short, Cooper Connolly, and Mitch Owen. Stic...

Women's World Cup Day 23, England v Australia: England began both innings full of purpose and daring and ready to rattle some Australian cages before the knockout stages of the tournament. There was the inevitable counter-punching from Australia’s superstars. Geoff Lemon is joined by Firdose Moonda. Learn about Lacuna Sports - bespoke female cricket wear, created by women for women:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠l...

Season 19, Episode 3: Round 2 of the Shield has come and gone, and you won't believe it, but there was another big Marnus ton. The Premier Jake Weatherald is also making a case, while Cam Green and Beau Webster flirt with injury and Mitch Marsh flirts with whacking sixes. Hmm. Also this week, Alyssa Healy has her own injury problem, the Sheffield Shield trials substitute players, while Pakistan an...

Women’s World Cup 2025, Day 22, South Africa Pakistan: Once again, rain affected the game in Colombo, but the amazing groundstaff ensured a result. The respective Powerplays dominated the game, and we now have a new tournament leader. Firdose Moonda joins Geoff Lemon. Learn about Lacuna Sports - bespoke female cricket wear, created by women for women:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lacunasports.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ P...

Women’s World Cup 2025, Day 21, Sri Lanka Bangladesh: Once again, we came down to the final over in this World Cup, in an absorbing tussle throughout. None of the high-scoring T20 era stuff here, this was a proper scrap. And with six balls to go, and Sri Lanka a bowler down, neither team was confident about seeing it through. But nor did either expect the ending they got. Learn about Lacuna Sports...

Women’s World Cup 2025, Day 20, India England: Another nerve-shredder of a match involving India. There was high quality across the park from both teams through a see-sawing encounter that came down to the last over. Daniel Norcross joins Firdose Moonda. Learn about Lacuna Sports - bespoke female cricket wear, created by women for women:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lacunasports.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pre-order the F...

Australia v India, 1st ODI, Perth: They're back, the big dogs who retired from Tests in Australia earlier this year after flaming out in that format. Their return in one-dayers failed at the first attempt, with Josh Hazlewood and Mitch Starc taking the honours before the run of rain delays that made this match a weird one. Is it even viable for players to be ODI specialists in this day and age? Bh...

Women’s World Cup Day 19, Pakistan v New Zealand: With the counter ticking over to 350 overs lost in Colombo during the tournament, we turn our attention to an England v India match that looms like the rain clouds for an India team carrying huge expectations at home. Meanwhile Pakistan are now all but out of the World Cup, but what of New Zealand? Phil Long joins Daniel Norcross. Pre-order the Fin...

It's Story Time, our walk through cricket history via your listener quiz challenges. This week, have you heard the one about the three-time premiership Lion who played state cricket for the Tigers? Neither had we! That Brisbane link joins us to Ian Healy's finest day with the bat, before turning to a tailender who biffed. To finish, ecstacy/agony for '80s Notts. Your Nerd Pledge numbers for this w...

Women’s World Cup Day 18, Sri Lanka South Africa: Another day, another rain-affected game in Colombo. We examine the extent of play lost in the Sri Lankan leg of this tournament, exploring potential reasons and alternatives. South Africa, meanwhile, did their best to overcome Sri Lanka and the weather. Firdose Moonda joins Geoff Lemon Learn about Lacuna Sports - bespoke female cricket wear, create...

Women’s World Cup Day 17, Australia Bangladesh: Alyssa Healy loves the big dances. Is she the best of all time? Bangladesh were commendable and valiant, but there’s only so much you can do to hold back Australia’s captain when she’s in this mood. Have Australia done enough to secure the top spot? Adam Collins and Geoff Lemon review the day. Learn about Lacuna Sports - bespoke female cricket wear,...

Women’s World Cup Day 16, Pakistan v England: Who benefited most from the rain? There’ll be arguments back and forth, but it seemed like we were on the verge of a historical result. Adam Collins is joined by Fidel Fernando from Colombo. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/thefinalword⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn...

Season 19, Episode 2: The Ashes runway continues, the Women's World Cup is mid-flight, and the Indian men's team are about to land in Australia for a white-ball series. It must be October. Also this week, an IPL franchise tries to buy two of Australia's biggest names year-round, Marnus makes another domestic ton, and if the CAXI is coming back, surely Will Bosisto must be doing the same? In red-ba...

Women’s World Cup Day 15, Sri Lanka vs New Zealand: A 26-ball fifty from Nilakshika Silva lit up a stormy Colombo evening, in a game which saw seen India get an unexpected reprieve as far as tournament standings go, while New Zealand are now backed into a corner and can only win their way out. Adam Collins and Geoff Lemon reunite. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Women’s World Cup Day 14, Bangladesh v South Africa: After being dismantled by New Zealand, Bangladesh's batting found a new level of resolve, topped off by Shorna Akhter with the most dynamic hitting in this team's history. That put them in a strong position against South Africa, who once again had to manage a chase right down to its nervous end. Geoff Lemon is joined by Firdose Moonda (and Ked)....

Women’s World Cup Day 13, Australia India: That was quite something. India set Australia the biggest ever run chase in women's ODIs... and then you'll never believe (you will believe) what happened next. Two thrilling opening stands, a bunch of weird umpiring, injuries, retirements, and bowling problems, it's all going on between the two Cup favourites. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Women’s World Cup Day 12, Sri Lanka v England: Nat Sciver-Brunt led from the front again, with Sri Lanka on the receiving end this time. There was fight from the Sri Lankan batters in response,  warding off heat, cramp, and Sophie Ecclestone’s guile. Daniel Norcorss, avid lover of Sri Lanka, joins Andrew Fidel Fernando. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

It's Story Time, our walk through cricket history via your listener quiz challenges. This week, what is are "inexpressibles", and what do they tell us about a booze-soaked day at the MCG in 1862? We also have the biggest summer of them all, a trio linked by fate, and the one run that said more about MEK Hussey than any other. Your Nerd Pledge numbers for this week: 5.47 - Nick Ibis 30.00 - Flem 44...

Women’s World Cup Day 11, New Zealand v Bangladesh: It's getting hot in Guwahati, hotter by the game, as Sophie Devine found out when her diabetes needed blood-sugar management during a taxing innings. Bangladesh were bubbling around again, though a down day for pace star Marufa Akter cost them an edge. Another tough slog for NZ. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Women’s World Cup Day 10, India v South Africa: What a battle, and from unexpected sources. Today saw the two biggest scores ever made from No8 in women's ODIs... on the same day. But it wasn't just about the batting, these were two power-hitting masterclasses built on parlous foundations, after bowlers and sharp fielding dominated the early exchanges. A thriller of a contest that showed the best...

Women’s World Cup Day 9, Australia v Pakistan: For a second consecutive day, there was a very real chance of the biggest cricketing upset of all time. Australia eased their own nerves through an unlikely batting partnership and a disciplined bowling performance. Whisper it, but Australia now appear very vulnerable and it’s anybody’s World Cup. Geoff Lemon joins Firdose Moonda. Support the show wit...

Season 19, Episode 1: It is officially the start of the southern season, because we say so, and what more fitting way to start than with a huge Sheffield Shield round. Stories aplenty, not just about who is trying to make a certain squad, but perhaps a recasting of umpiring as we know it. Plenty more this week: Geelong might get its own Big Bash team, USA cricket goes broke, Jadeja dominates West...