Season 17, Episode 16: It's been a tough entree to Test cricket, but it looks like Nathan McSweeney's time is up. For now. At least, that's the reporting, while we wait for the Australian camp to confirm. Geoff and Adam talk through another opening batting experiment. Also this week, the washup from England v New Zealand including Ben Stokes bowling himself towards more injury, the women's Test in South Africa, World Test Championship ramifications, Jason Gillespie's formal departure from the Pakistan job, and a cricketing world wrap from the Big Bash to Bulawayo.

Come to our live shows!

Melbourne December 22 - with RICKY PONTING (and Maxi)

Sydney January 7 - with SIMON KATICH (and Maxi)

Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword

Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword

Catch the Pro Kabaddi League next to the MCG on December 28

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Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com

Title track by Urthboy

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Australia India Daily, 3rd Test, Brisbane review: One day after a rare Test to actually span the five days - thanks to the weather rather than the hectic speed of play - there are various storylines bubbling along in the Australian camp ahead of Boxing Day. Biggest of all, though, the very strange mid-series departure of Ravichandran Ashwin. Much more has come to light about the champion spinner quitting the game, so we look at that, as well as his mighty career and why we enjoyed his work so fully.

Come to our live shows!

Melbourne December 22 - with RICKY PONTING

Sydney January 7

Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword

Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword

Catch the Pro Kabaddi League next to the MCG on December 28

johncainarena.com.au/event/pro-kabaddi-league-melbourne-raid-2024

Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au

Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday:

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Get 10% off the brilliant Maxi sunnies - the perfect Christmas gift

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Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com

Title track by Urthboy

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Australia India Daily, 3rd Test, Brisbane Day 5: It was wet, but it was wild. Rain kept playing its part on the last day at Brisbane, but not before an absolutely manic session that may have implications for the whole series going forward. Jasprit Bumrah can't stop being unbelievable, Australia have more questions to consider, and as if that wasn't enough, Ravichandran Ashwin announced a snap retirement.

Come to our live shows!

Melbourne December 22 - with RICKY PONTING

Sydney January 7

Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword

Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword

Catch the Pro Kabaddi League next to the MCG on December 28

johncainarena.com.au/event/pro-kabaddi-league-melbourne-raid-2024

Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au

Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday:

cbussuper.com.au

Get 10% off the brilliant Maxi sunnies - the perfect Christmas gift

t20vision.com/FINALWORD

Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com

Title track by Urthboy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Australia India Daily, 3rd Test, Brisbane Day 4: God bless the follow-on! What could have been a fairly dull day of cricket between rain delays became a wholesome and delightful one thanks to one simple thing: a team trying to finish fewer than 200 runs behind another team. Whoever came up with that plan, a blessing on your head. Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins took on a huge job after Josh Hazlewood went down injured, KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja did the spadework, then it was all down to Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep.

Come to our live shows!

Melbourne December 22 - with RICKY PONTING and GLENN MAXWELL

Sydney January 7

Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword

Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword

Catch the Pro Kabaddi League next to the MCG on December 28

johncainarena.com.au/event/pro-kabaddi-league-melbourne-raid-2024

Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au

Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday:

cbussuper.com.au

Get 10% off the brilliant Maxi sunnies - the perfect Christmas gift

t20vision.com/FINALWORD

Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com

Title track by Urthboy

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New Zealand England Daily, 3rd Test, Hamilton Day 4: England's series, New Zealand's day.

Bethell got some more runs, but Will O'Rourke's spell was special. In the end, New Zealand win by loads. For one last time, Cameron Ponsonby and Jeremy Coney have it all.

Come to our live shows!

Melbourne December 22

Sydney January 7

Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword

This Is Hypnobirthing

Insta @thisishypnobirthing

Or email: [email protected] if you/someone you know is having a baby and you reckon this would help them, as it did Rach and Adam when they had their girls.

Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword

Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au

Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday:

cbussuper.com.au

Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com

Title track by Urthboy

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Australia India Daily, 3rd Test, Brisbane Day 3: Rain, yes, but not so much that we didn't get some very important play. First of all from Carey, doing another useful job with the bat, then the showdown between Australia's fast bowlers and India's top order. Suddenly the Gabba track went full speed ahead, jumping and jagging as Starc and Hazlewood did their work. How can India steer a path to safety, and just what is going on with Virat Kohli?

Come to our live shows!

Melbourne December 22 - with RICKY PONTING

Sydney January 7

Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword

Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword

Catch the Pro Kabaddi League next to the MCG on December 28

johncainarena.com.au/event/pro-kabaddi-league-melbourne-raid-2024

Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au

Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday:

cbussuper.com.au

Get 10% off the brilliant Maxi sunnies - the perfect Christmas gift

t20vision.com/FINALWORD

Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com

Title track by Urthboy

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New Zealand England Daily, 3rd Test, Hamilton Day 3: What on earth was that, cricket?

On a day where Jacob Bethell and Shoiab Bashir bowled forever, Ben Stokes pulled him hamstring and New Zealand finished roughly a million ahead. Cameron Ponsonby and Jeremy Coney have it all.

Come to our live shows!

Melbourne December 22

Sydney January 7

Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword

This Is Hypnobirthing

Insta @thisishypnobirthing

Or email: [email protected] if you/someone you know is having a baby and you reckon this would help them, as it did Rach and Adam when they had their girls.

Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword

Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au

Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday:

cbussuper.com.au

Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com

Title track by Urthboy

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Australia India Daily, 3rd Test, Brisbane Day 2: It has been a long wait, but Steve Smith finally returned to the century-makers list with career ton #33, going past Steve Waugh into his own place in Australian Test history. And it might have been one of his hardest fought innings, as Jasprit Bumrah once, twice, three times rocked Australia. Not to mention another wild day from Travis Head, as Rohit Sharma ponders his decisions.

Come to our live shows!

Melbourne December 22 - with RICKY PONTING

Sydney January 7

Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword

Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword

Catch the Pro Kabaddi League next to the MCG on December 28

johncainarena.com.au/event/pro-kabaddi-league-melbourne-raid-2024

Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au

Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday:

cbussuper.com.au

Get 10% off the brilliant Maxi sunnies - the perfect Christmas gift

t20vision.com/FINALWORD

Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com

Title track by Urthboy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New Zealand England Daily, 3rd Test, Hamilton Day 2: What on earth was that, England?

NZ are on en route to a win after trouncing England in all departments in Hamilton. It was weird, it was wonderful, and Cameron Ponsonby and Jeremy Coney have it all.

Come to our live shows!

Melbourne December 22

Sydney January 7

Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword

This Is Hypnobirthing

Insta @thisishypnobirthing

Or email: [email protected] if you/someone you know is having a baby and you reckon this would help them, as it did Rach and Adam when they had their girls.

Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword

Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au

Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday:

cbussuper.com.au

Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com

Title track by Urthboy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Australia India Daily, 3rd Test, Brisbane Day 1: Not much play on a wet first day, but it was a brave call from Rohit Sharma as India chose to bowl first. Will that prove to be a great idea or less so? We don't know yet, but we'll sure talk about it, and plenty of other things besides.

Come to our live shows!

Melbourne December 22 - with RICKY PONTING

Sydney January 7

Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword

Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword

Catch the Pro Kabaddi League next to the MCG on December 28

johncainarena.com.au/event/pro-kabaddi-league-melbourne-raid-2024

Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au

Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday:

cbussuper.com.au

Get 10% off the brilliant Maxi sunnies - the perfect Christmas gift

t20vision.com/FINALWORD

Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com

Title track by Urthboy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices