Justin Langer and the spiral of confusion

Season 10, Episode 12: It can be hard to follow Justin Langer's line of logic. The Australian men's coach has an extempore media style that over time can veer into inconsistency. After enough misgivings about his coaching style to prompt a formal review, and after talk about embracing the chance to grow, this week the coach had moved back to denying there was a problem to begin with. Let's try to untangle.

Also: Langer's team is being smashed up by the Windies in St Lucia. All of the English season is at risk of collapse thanks to COVID running through teams, with The Hundred and the India Tests particularly exposed. India's women played a blinder to stay in their series with England, Harleen Deol took flight, Sri Lanka's ODI series got delayed, and South Africa are in trouble against Ireland in the World Cup Super League. Meanwhile, the ICC chief executive has been quietly pushed out of the organisation.

Your Nerd Pledge number this week:
1.01 - Jack Jorgensen

YouTube is still down, sorry if you're fiending to look at our delightful smiles while we talk about Dan Christian. 

Declan Lawlor's marathons

Some fine work from Dec to raise money for Lord's Taverners. He and his running mate Seb got through 99.8 kilometres on the first day, then 65.6 kilometres on the second. Astonishing really. 

By the second day Dec's dodgy Achilles had blown up, and it took them almost as long to run the 65 as it had the 99. Dec was advised that he risked long-term damage if he ran the next two days as planned, so the pin was duly pulled. But they've raised over two grand in sterling for the Tavs, and you can still top that up here if so desired.

Well done, you two.

Story Time 53 – The world's best Tinder profile

Today: there's something about doctors and cricket, they just keep coming up. We try to measure up to someone ahead of all comers. Then we wind all the way back to a literary classic born before the First World War, taking in another glimpse of the Test triangular, and look at the most underrated of the underrated, as well as the biggest achievement by far. 

Audio is here.

Your new Nerd Pledge numbers:
8.75 – Bob Tronson & Darragh O'Donovan
2.88 – W. G. Rumblepants
4.62 – Sean Barry
5.66 – Will Sandford
7.27 – ED

Plus revisits and confirmations.

Lots coming up over the next few weeks: current planning includes an in-depth look at Sri Lankan cricket, a long interview with Clare Connor, and a crossover with our comrade in cricket podcasting Felix White.