Close of Play Podcast

Can parents afford for their children to play cricket? In this episode of Close of Play, we’re joined by former England cricketer Sajid Mahmood to unpack the real cost of playing cricket in the UK — from kit and club fees to the growing gap between state and private school pathways. We discuss why access is becoming a major issue, what’s happening at grassroots level, and what can realistically be...

India are T20 World Cup champions again — but did the final live up to the occasion? After a tournament packed with drama, the final ended in a dominant victory for India. Some fans are calling it one of the most one-sided World Cup finals ever. Others say that misses the point — great teams win big games. And should the country who provides the ICC Chair be allowed to host ICC tournaments after J...

Harry Brook was under pressure after a turbulent Ashes and off-field noise — but now he’s led England into the T20 World Cup semi-finals with a match-defining century. In this episode of Close of Play, Sanjay Murthy and former England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones break down: * Brook’s Ashes numbers vs perception * His T20 World Cup impact at No.3 * Whether England have found their balance * The Joss...

Is Jos Buttler's batting form enough to keep his place, or are the gloves the only thing saving him? Former England keeper Geraint Jones argues that without the wicket-keeping role, Buttler’s position would be untenable. In this episode of Close of Play, Sanjay Murthy, Geraint Jones, and Damian Brandy debate England’s selection dilemmas and ask the brutal question: who else could actually take...

Australia are on the brink of elimination at the T20 World Cup. In this episode of Close of Play, Sanjay Murthy and Geraint Jones break down:• Australia’s collapse against Sri Lanka• Cameron Green’s struggles• Hardik Pandya's angry reaction• England’s bowling concerns• South Africa’s quiet charge• Associate nations risingPlus: Silly Point returns. Subscribe for intelligent cricket debate — on...

Are England already under pressure at the T20 World Cup? After a defeat to West Indies and a nervy performance against Nepal, Sanjay Murthy and Geraint Jones assess England’s bowling concerns, selection decisions and whether fatigue is beginning to show. We also discuss:• South Africa v Afghanistan’s Super Over drama• Italy hammering Nepal• Australia’s comfortable start• India building momentum• P...

Can anyone stop India becoming the first team to win a home T20 World Cup? In this special T20 World Cup show, Sanjay Murthy and Geraint Jones break down every group, assess the favourites, debate England’s chances under McCullum, analyse Pakistan’s political distractions, and ask whether Australia can overcome their spin challenges. We also discuss: • Australia’s spin concerns • West Indies’ T20...

This week on Close of Play , we examine another T10 tournament that fell apart before it even started, fresh corruption charges in international cricket, and why England continue to lose the PR battle. Plus a lighter turn, with our Nature X! - think Stuart 'Norfolk' Broad(s) and Aamir SnowHail!

Another busy week in world cricket — and plenty to argue about. In this episode of Close of Play, Sanjay Murthy and former England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones look at a sport being stretched in multiple directions: World Cups without major nations, boards under pressure, players chasing franchise cricket, and a growing sense that no one is really steering the ship. There’s serious debate around the...

Cricket’s biggest problems don’t always start on the field. In the first episode of our new weekly magazine show, Sanjay Murthy and former England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones ask whether cricket is increasingly being shaped by the wrong people - from boardroom politics and individual power struggles to governance failures that risk damaging the game. There’s serious discussion on the ICC, Banglades...

The Ashes are over. England lose the series 4–1 — and now it’s time to answer your questions. In this Close of Series Q&A, Sanjay Murthy and former England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones respond to the best listener questions from across the Ashes: culture, leadership, fitness, selection, coaching, technology, county cricket, and what England actually need to change now the dust has settled. There...

The Ashes are over. England got smashed 4–1 — and now the inquest begins. After another defeat, the focus shifts away from individual moments and onto the bigger picture: preparation, selection, leadership, and whether England’s approach to Test cricket is genuinely fit for touring Australia. In this episode of Close of Play, Sanjay Murthy and former England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones conduct a ca...

England finally have something to smile about. On Day Four of the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney, Jacob Bethell produced one of the moments of the series — a maiden Test hundred that brought belief, balance, and more than a few raised eyebrows in the commentary box. In this episode of  Close of Play , Sanjay Murthy and former England wicketkeeper  Geraint Jones  break down why Bethell’s innings felt d...

England lost control again on Day Three in Sydney — and it wasn’t just with the ball. Despite moments of resistance, Australia piled on the pressure through clarity, discipline, and relentless execution, while England continued to look uncertain in their bowling plans, fielding standards, and on-field leadership. In this episode of  Close of Play , Sanjay Murthy and former England wicketkeeper  Ge...

England were taught another hard lesson on Day Two of the fifth Ashes Test. Despite moments of resistance, Australia once again controlled the tempo of the game, exposing the same tactical and technical flaws that have defined England’s tour so far. In this episode of  Close of Play , Sanjay Murthy and former England wicketkeeper  Geraint Jones  analyse why England keep losing control in key sessi...

Are fans being short-changed by modern Test cricket? On Day One of the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney, more than  45 overs were lost  despite clear skies — reigniting anger among supporters who paid, travelled, and waited to watch Test cricket unfold. In this episode of  Close of Play , Sanjay Murthy and former England wicketkeeper  Geraint Jones  debate whether the game is now too rigid, too cautious...

Does the modern game of cricket still need the West Indies? Once the most feared force in world cricket, West Indies now sit on the margins of the Test game — and this episode asks the uncomfortable question many fans are thinking but rarely say out loud. Sanjay Murthy is joined by former Leicestershire cricketer and editor  Damian Brandy  to explore what really went wrong: from administration and...

England have finally won a Test match in Australia — their first since 2011. But does this victory actually mean England have  learned  anything from this Ashes series? In this episode of  Close of Play , Sanjay Murthy and former England wicketkeeper  Geraint Jones  react to England’s win on a wildly uneven pitch, discuss Jacob Bethell’s role, the return of controlled bowling lengths, and why this...

England are under intense pressure — on the pitch, off the pitch, and under the microscope of an Ashes tour in Australia. In this Day One MCG analysis, Sanjay Murthy and former England wicketkeeper  Geraint Jones  go beyond the scorecard to discuss what a brutal Ashes tour really feels like for players when results go against you. From a 20-wicket day, to Brydon Carse’s struggles, Ben Stokes’ capt...

The Ashes are gone — not after five Tests, but after  10 days . In this Day Five analysis, Sanjay Murthy and former England wicketkeeper  Geraint Jones  break down where England’s tour unravelled, why Australia managed the series better, and how preparation, adaptability, and decision-making ultimately decided everything. From batting time and run rates, to selection, culture, and leadership, this...

For the first time this series, England showed signs of  proper Test cricket thinking . Day four brought application, patience, and smarter decision-making — even if the result now feels inevitable. Sanjay Murthy and former England wicketkeeper  Geraint Jones  break down what finally changed, why it happened too late, and what this performance tells us about England’s preparation, mentality, and f...

England’s Ashes campaign is unravelling — and the problems are deeper than one bad Test. Sanjay Murthy and former England wicketkeeper  Geraint Jones  break down  why England’s bowling has failed , how Australia are exploiting the same mistakes again and again, and what this says about selection, tactics, and leadership under Stokes and McCullum. From Travis Head’s dominance, to the Will Jacks gam...

England were given an opportunity in Australia — and it vanished in brutal fashion. This episode breaks down  why this Ashes series feels over , how Australia exposed England’s weaknesses, and whether Bazball has finally been worked out. Sanjay Murthy and former England wicketkeeper  Geraint Jones  analyse: England’s preparation failures Why Australia’s bowlers don’t miss The Ollie Pope dilemma Na...

Australia handed England early chances — but once again found a way to regain control. Sanjay Murthy and Geraint Jones break down the key moments from a pivotal Ashes day, including Alex Carey’s hundred, England’s bowling effort, and the decisions that still separate the sides. 00:00 An emotional start to the Test 02:00 England’s early bowling effort 04:30 Steve Smith out, Khawaja steps up 06:30 A...

As the Ashes reach a defining Third Test,  Close of Play  asks whether England’s Bazball philosophy has hit its limits in Australia. Sanjay Murthy and Geraint Jones are joined by former England opener  Nick Compton , who delivers a powerful critique of England’s preparation, the loss of batting time, and the growing gap between practice and real Test-match demands. The panel discuss selection dile...