Get ready for a gong bath
As you may have seen on socials, The Final Word came away with the Best Podcast Award at the ECB / Cricket Media Club Awards, handed out at a function at Lord's to launch the new domestic season. Adam, Enakshi, and Nick were able to enjoy the day. A vast amount of work, research, travel, and love goes into making this show, so it's satisfying to have that acknowledged. The award is also specifically for our work covering cricket in England, so that's a special thing for a couple of guys with Melbourne accents to be recognised for. Our colleagues Nick Toovey and Enakshi Rajvanshi were invaluable support.
As ever, the huge cast of people to thank includes you in the TFW community. We truly could not do this without your support.
Our congratulations to all the other winners, but especially to TFW regular Cameron Ponsonby, who took out the Christopher Martin-Jenkins Young Journo of the Year in his final year of eligibility.
New Aussie contract list braces for Test overload year
Season 19, Episode 39: It’s our season finale for the Australian cricket season of 2025/26, with a cracker of a Sheffield Shield final run and won over five days, and a new Australian central contract list moving well away from white-ball formats and investing everything in the extraordinary glut of 21 Tests between this August and the following July. Also this week, separate administrator madness in both Pakistan and India, an all-time performance in the women's game, and more discontent with Brendon McCullum is part of the many stories bubbling away in England before the new county season.
Listen here.
The Final Word with Sam Cook - A Change is Gonna Come
Season 19, Episode 38: It’s impossible to avoid more investment in some players’ stories. One for us has been Essex and England seamer Sam Cook. Hs Test debut was a triumph for everyone who believes that hitting the same spot while nipping it around is worthy, regardless of the speed gun. He did so in all conditions for his county and banged down the Test door. That first game at Trent Bridge audition wasn’t enough to keep him there through 2025, but he’s determined to give himself every chance of this year being his, after the season begins on Good Friday.
Story Time 264 - Wave cash at me in the Brunswick Ballroom
A fresh combo this week, as Daniel Norcross joins Geoff to discuss one of the least orthodox Nerd Pledges we’ve had - not in content, but in method of delivery. Also, how do you track down someone who has a more illustrious namesake?
Your Nerd Pledge numbers for this week
50.00 - Kamal Mann
4.21 - Handsome Hammy Goodman and Glamorous Gary Goodman
3.51 - Mathew
3.74 - Not That Steve Smith
Season 19, Episode 37: In a necessary two-part weekly show, the first dealt with Australian matters, and now Daniel Norcross joins Geoff to look at England’s supposed review of their Ashes disaster. Also this week, the BCCI released a schedule for next year’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which has surprised everyone; Pakistan’s PSL is in trouble again, and Amelia Kerr is going up yet more gears.
Listen here.
We're out! Happy April.
TFW