

The Final Word Cricket Podcast
Adam Collins, Geoff Lemon
Cricket for everyone – your friendly guide to the world's strangest sport. Geoff Lemon and Adam Collins combine match analysis with irreverence, politics, interviews and history as they follow the game they love around the world. You can support the show at patreon.com/thefinalword.Get your big NordVPN discount: https://nordvpn.com/tfw
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 2, 2026 • 1h 29min
FFS, now Pakistan want to boycott the World Cup
Season 19 Episode 26: We have more drama ahead of the T20 World Cup, with Pakistan's government saying the national team will boycott India during the T20 World Cup, but otherwise will still play. Instead they will likely be kicked out, as the ICC tries to put out this newest fire. Also this week, Harry Brook apologises for his previous apology, Australia's women get a new all-format captain, USA's breakout star Aaron Jones is accused of match-fixing, and there's a lot of white-ball action happening ahead of the ill-fated tournament.
Australia brings memories that last a lifetime.
Visit Australia.com
Get your copy of Bedtime Tales for Cricket Tragics: linktr.ee/tfwbook
Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword
Stop snoring with 10% off a Zeus device: use code TFW2026 at zeussleeps.com
Get yourself some lovely BIG Boots UK, with 10% off at this link: https://www.bigboots.co.uk/?ref=thefinalword
Try the new Stomping Ground Final Word beer, or join Patreon to win a case: stompingground.beer
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au
Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw
Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD
Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com
Title track by Urthboy
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Feb 1, 2026 • 1h 30min
Story Time 256 – From 90s hero to less than zero
It's Story Time, our weekly walk through cricket history. This week, it's not a fun start but an important one as we look at years of accusations against Michael Slater, something that a lot of reporting skated over, but that Jordan Baker of the Sydney Morning Herald did not. Also this week, a couple of huge days in the Ranji, we have a new team to follow, and the life of a true Sri Lankan legend and Ceylonese pioneer.
Your Nerd Pledge numbers for this week:
66.6 - Joel Burton
5.94 - Deepak Rao
3.79 - Alan Simpson
144.00 - Chris Mead
Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword
Stop snoring with 10% off a Zeus device: use code TFW2026 at
zeussleeps.com
Get yourself some lovely BIG Boots UK, with 10% off at this
link: https://www.bigboots.co.uk/?ref=thefinalword
Try the new Stomping Ground Final Word beer, or join Patreon
to win a case: stompingground.beer
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for workers since 1919:
mauriceblackburn.com.au
Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw
Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD
Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com
Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 29, 2026 • 45min
From refugee to England hopeful - The Final Word with Tawanda Muyeye
Season 19 Episode 25: Last week, we had Sonny Baker with us, casting an eye to the future of England fast bowling. Today, a player similarly highly-rated, Tawanda Muyeye. In Muyeye’s case, having represented Zimbabwe at youth level, his family had to flee as a result of political persecution. A fresh start in England as an asylum seeker followed, which saw him score mountains of schoolboy runs before quickly ending up on Kent’s books. Now 24, the stylish right-hander remains in the process of moving from refugee to citizen, but all things being equal, this time next year he should be eligible for England selection. Showing he has what it takes across formats, dreams of wearing the Three Lions burn brightly for this kind and articulate young man. And as you’ll detect in this chat, he’s someone who is firmly focused on living in the present rather than being trapped within his complex backstory.
Australia brings memories that last a lifetime.
Visit Australia.com
Get your copy of Bedtime Tales for Cricket Tragics: linktr.ee/tfwbook
Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword
Stop snoring with 10% off a Zeus device: use code TFW2026 at zeussleeps.com
Get yourself some lovely BIG Boots UK, with 10% off at this link: https://www.bigboots.co.uk/?ref=thefinalword
Try the new Stomping Ground Final Word beer, or join Patreon to win a case: stompingground.beer
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au
Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw
Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD
Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com
Title track by Urthboy
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 27, 2026 • 1h 10min
Lies about the Harry Brook story emphasise England's problems
Season 19 Episode 24: It's official, Bangladesh have refused to play in the T20 World Cup, meaning Scotland will come in. Justice for Jersey! Pakistan are threatening not to come, even though they will. Italy just beat Ireland. Australia are going to Pakistan. It's all happening in the lead-up weeks, including England's tour of Sri Lanka - where Harry Brook captaining that side just emphasises how significant the problems are that England's team management have made for themselves.
Australia brings memories that last a lifetime.
Visit Australia.com
Get your copy of Bedtime Tales for Cricket Tragics: linktr.ee/tfwbook
Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword
Stop snoring with 10% off a Zeus device: use code TFW2026 at zeussleeps.com
Get yourself some lovely BIG Boots UK, with 10% off at this link: https://www.bigboots.co.uk/?ref=thefinalword
Try the new Stomping Ground Final Word beer, or join Patreon to win a case: stompingground.beer
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au
Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw
Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD
Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com
Title track by Urthboy
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 26, 2026 • 1h 4min
Story Time 255 – The Summer of George
It's Story Time, our weekly walk through cricket history. This week, a clue about a show about nothing - but can that be right? Two long-time contributors to the show have their Nerd Pledge moment, plus one of the great run gluts, and a big day on Ceefax.
Your Nerd Pledge numbers for this week:
8.22 - Sheahan Arnott
2.60 - Max Bonnell
3.63 - Tobi Wilson
9.57 - Robin Whelan
Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword
Get your copy of Bedtime Tales for Cricket Tragics: linktr.ee/tfwbook
Stop snoring with 10% off a Zeus device: use code TFW2026 at
zeussleeps.com
Get yourself some lovely BIG Boots UK, with 10% off at this
link: https://www.bigboots.co.uk/?ref=thefinalword
Try the new Stomping Ground Final Word beer, or join Patreon
to win a case: stompingground.beer
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for workers since 1919:
mauriceblackburn.com.au
Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw
Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD
Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com
Title track by Urthboy
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 22, 2026 • 1h 13min
World cricket splinters further with World Cup boycott likely
Season 19 Episode 23: Cricket's small group of nations continues to fracture, with news firming even as we recorded this episode that Bangladesh will pull out of the T20 World Cup due to political conflict with India. Also this week, some unrelated ICC nonsense, and a tour around the overloaded global T20 circuit.
Get your copy of Bedtime Tales for Cricket Tragics: linktr.ee/tfwbook
Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword
Stop snoring with 10% off a Zeus device: use code TFW2026 at zeussleeps.com
Get yourself some lovely BIG Boots UK, with 10% off at this link: https://www.bigboots.co.uk/?ref=thefinalword
Try the new Stomping Ground Final Word beer, or join Patreon to win a case: stompingground.beer
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au
Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw
Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD
Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com
Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 20, 2026 • 1h 25min
Ban Australians from county cricket? Ben Stokes, you got punk'd
Season 19 Episode 22: The seasons are changing, and after a white-clothing summer, Steve Smith is dressed in hot pink and smacking balls into orbit. He's no longer in Australia's T20 plans, but can he force a change of direction? Also this week, Ben Stokes falls for the old "ban Australians from county cricket" trick, Virat Kohli goes back to World No.1, while Emma John and former England captain Heather Knight join the show, one to chat about the Harrow cricket museum and the other about the new Lord's team.
Get your copy of Bedtime Tales for Cricket Tragics: linktr.ee/tfwbook
Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword
Australia brings memories that last a lifetime.
Visit Australia.com
Stop snoring with 10% off a Zeus device: use code TFW2026 at zeussleeps.com
Get yourself some lovely BIG Boots UK, with 10% off at this link: https://www.bigboots.co.uk/?ref=thefinalword
Try the new Stomping Ground Final Word beer, or join Patreon to win a case: stompingground.beer
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au
Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw
Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD
Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com
Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 18, 2026 • 1h
The Final Word with Sonny Baker
Season 19 Episode 21: If you listened to the pod through 2025, Sonny Baker's name won’t be new to you - we spoke about him practically every week after seeing him bowl out Surrey in April. At 22 years of age there are already high expectations of the pace he can generate and the skill that goes it with. If you thought a chastening international debut in September might’ve damaged his ambition, think again. An engaging guest, brimming with energy and curiosity, he’s going to be everyone’s favourite player soon enough.
Get your copy of Bedtime Tales for Cricket Tragics: linktr.ee/tfwbook
Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword
Australia brings memories that last a lifetime.
Visit Australia.com
Stop snoring with 5% off a Zeus device: use code TFW2025 at zeussleeps.com
Get yourself some lovely BIG Boots UK, with 10% off at this link: https://www.bigboots.co.uk/?ref=thefinalword
Try the new Stomping Ground Final Word beer, or join Patreon to win a case: stompingground.beer
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au
Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw
Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD
Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com
Title track by Urthboy
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 16, 2026 • 1h 27min
Story Time 254 – The Irishman who became a Chinese general
It's Story Time, our weekly walk through cricket history. This week, another vast and sprawling tale of a 20th century life that hardly seems true, from the Himalayan foothills to the Venezuelan jungle, of an intellectual and polyglot. Also, a leader who was up against it, some family rivalry, and a niche umpiring question that leads to a fight against infinity.
Your Nerd Pledge numbers for this week:
3.42 - Sean Smith
8.40 - Sean Tolich
3.60 - Michael Gormley
6.10 - Lara Killick
Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword
Get your copy of Bedtime Tales for Cricket Tragics: linktr.ee/tfwbook
Stop snoring with 5% off a Zeus device: use code TFW2025 at zeussleeps.com
Get yourself some lovely BIG Boots UK, with 10% off at this link: https://www.bigboots.co.uk/?ref=thefinalword
Try the new Stomping Ground Final Word beer, or join Patreon to win a case: stompingground.beer
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au
Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw
Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD
Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com
Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 14, 2026 • 1h 5min
Australia’s ADHD leggie – TFW Book Club with Pat Rodgers
In a captivating discussion, cricket historian Pat Rodgers dives into the life of Syd Emery, a forgotten star of pre-WWI cricket. Pat unveils Emery's transformation from a fast bowler to a googly wizard, exploring his rapid rise, notorious antics, and turbulent decline. They delve into the complexities of Emery's personality, hinting at possible neurodivergent traits, and his chaotic experiences during the 1912 triangular tour. Pat also reflects on the impact of family loss and community ties as Emery navigated his post-war transformation.


