English cricket surrenders as the "most inclusive" sport

Season 18, Episode 11: A charged political atmosphere this week, with Australia's election having just taken place, while the ECB fold to the current campaign to push transgender people to the margins of society. Meanwhile, India and Pakistan tensions reach their highest level in years, with cricket relations sure to be further affected. Otherwise, Kagiso Rabada is back after a spell on the Plum Warners, Bangladesh level the Test series with Zimbabwe, and there's our county wrap plus IPL with Ben Jones. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at ⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/thefinalword⁠⁠⁠ 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 4.48% 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 Title track by ⁠⁠⁠Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices