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.
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1:55:14
Story Time 229 – Adam Gilchrist's trail of destruction
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?
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5.01 - Julian Russell
2.04 - Matt
4.40 - Jane Seeber
6.74 - Rob Findlay
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1:30:08
Bashir gets the better of a fighting Zim | England v Zimbabwe, Trent Bridge, Day 3
England v Zimbabwe, Trent Bridge Test, Day 3: Ben Jones joins Daniel Norcross.
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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 course of the Test? Let’s not make it another 23 years, Zimbabwe. .
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Save more, earn more—up to 4.22% AER (variable). Interest rates are tiered, with the top rate for balances over £1M. Each tiered rate applies to the portion within that range. New members get these rates free for 6 months; after that, your Tide plan’s rates apply. For full offer T&Cs visit https://tide.co/savings
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26:57
Brian Bennett: The Pleasure Machine | England v Zimbabwe Day 2
England v Zimbabwe, Trent Bridge Test, Day 2:Cameron Ponsonby joins Daniel Norcross.
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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 Martin McCague relate to this Test?
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Save more, earn more—up to 4.22% AER (variable). Interest rates are tiered, with the top rate for balances over £1M. Each tiered rate applies to the portion within that range. New members get these rates free for 6 months; after that, your Tide plan’s rates apply. For full offer T&Cs visit https://tide.co/savings
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28:28
TFW Daily - Zak Crawley love & hate day - England Zimbabwe Test, Day 1
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.
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Get 20% off your cask of MacIness scotch whisky! Email sales@macinneswhisky.com to get the ball rolling.
Check it out at macinneswhisky.com
We have 47 runners in the Edinburgh Marathon Festival.
Donate to get us to our £30k fundraising target for The Lord's Taverners.
Tickets for our Wormsley match, August 18: uk.emma-live.com/WormsleyFinal2025
Subscribe to Wisden and never pay full price for the Almanack again: www.wisdenalmanack.com/subscribe
Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw
Sort out expat finances with Odin Mortgage & Tax: odinmortgage.com/partner/the-final-word
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au
Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD
Save more, earn more—up to 4.22% AER (variable). Interest rates are tiered, with the top rate for balances over £1M. Each tiered rate applies to the portion within that range. New members get these rates free for 6 months; after that, your Tide plan’s rates apply. For full offer T&Cs visit https://tide.co/savings
Claim £100 cash back (on a £5k deposit) at: https://tide.co/offers/tfw
Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com
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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.