The Saudi march on cricket

In Week 3 of April, it's hard to pick out a lead given we made three shows that would each normally have been the Weekly, plus a Story Time. But the significance of the news that the IPL is likely to play ball with Saudi Arabia's attempts to duplicate its league is hard to overstate. At the top of the page you'll find Geoff's writing on the matter, published on Saturday after we had talked things through on Friday's show.

Also on Season 14, Episode 5, cricket farewelled someone truly special: Faith Thomas, who played a Test match in 1953 as Faith Coulthard when she became the first Indigenous woman to represent Australian in any sport. Her friend and biographer Tyson Baird joins the show to talk about her personality and legacy. And the Australian men's Ashes squad is announced.

Your Nerd Pledge number this week:
19.80 - Clint

The audio episode is here.

The 160th Wisden Cricketers' Almanack

Season 14, Episode 4: There were similar themes to discuss as Adam put on his tuxedo to meet Wisden editor Lawrence Booth in the MCC Library at Lord's. International cricket needs advocates like never before. Lawrence articulates that threat in blunt terms alongside a celebration of the best of our game - not least the BazBall revolution. And of course, Shane Warne is paid tribute in the best traditions of the publication. It was four years ago that we last sat with Lawrence on the night that Geoff won the gong as Wisden's book of the year. Four years and a pandemic later, it's the same guest on the same couch. Enjoy the chat and the book.

The episode is here.

Your old friends from the Final Word got a mention too, for the episode of the year.

FairBreak Special - a truly good thing

Season 14, Ep 3: On a brighter note, we're lucky to work on a lot of cricket around the world, but what wasn't on our radar until last year was a tournament with origins dating back before the women's professional era - the FairBreak Invitational. Bringing players together from more than 30 countries is special and deserves love from the cricket community. This ep features six people instrumental to the success of the recent second edition in Hong Kong.

The episode is here.

Image: Winifred meets Winifred.

Story Time 131 – The worst run chase ever

This week, Bharat Sundaresan makes his suggestion for most iconic commentary duo, we find out about Test hat-tricks on debut and about pioneering blasters, we look at the life of a very early legend, the worst good days in the field, and the worst worst efforts second with the bat. Also, stay away from Thomas Downes and his ranch.

Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week:

2.08 - Sam Ashworth
1.36 - Cameron Allen & Alex Brown
2.02 - Keiron Costello, Dorwin D'Souza & Max Heaton

The episode is here.

Big week? You bet you are, you bet I am. There's more to come.