Close of Play Podcast

Sanjay Murthy & Geraint Jones
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Close of Play is the cricket show that treats the game seriously, but never itself. Hosted by broadcaster Sanjay Murthy and former England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones, each episode mixes dodgy analysis, strong opinions, behind-the-scenes stories and the sort of cricket chat you'd hear after a long day at the ground. From England's latest selection headaches and Ashes talking points to county cricket, world cricket and the characters who make the game unforgettable, nothing is off limits. Expect debate, laughs, occasional disagreements and the odd tale that probably shouldn't be repeated.

  1. 4h ago

    Another England Reset? Australia Win Again, Listener Questions & Vitality Blast Finals Race

    Australia are Women's T20 World Cup champions once again, but what does defeat mean for England? Sanjay Murthy and Geraint Jones debate whether England should begin a transition, examine the strength of the women's pathway, answer listener questions on England's men's team, and preview the Vitality Blast run-in. Also featuring Silly Point and the latest county cricket discussion. Chapters 00:00 Australia win the Women's T20 World Cup 04:10 Does England need another reset? 07:16 Producing the next generation 10:32 Wicketkeepers opening the batting 11:50 Fan vs Institution 20:03 Women's cricket continues to grow 21:54 Listener comments 43:56 Silly Point 50:20 Vitality Blast finals race 54:14 Women's Tier One & Tier Two 57:47 Wrap up

    58 min

  2. Jun 23

    Big Bash Privatisation, England's Defeat & The Future Of County Cricket | Close of Play

    Cricket is changing fast. This week on Close of Play, Sanjay Murthy and Geraint Jones discuss the proposed privatisation of the Big Bash, the growing influence of IPL franchise owners, and whether county cricket’s traditional member-owned model can survive in the modern game. They also look back at England’s heavy defeat to New Zealand, Joe Root’s captaincy, James Rew’s Test debut, Jofra Archer’s reaction to a dropped catch, Jacob Bethell’s red-ball form, and England’s selection questions ahead of the Third Test. Plus Who Am I? Geraint’s famous rebound catches, the 18-ball over, and the usual Close of Play nonsense. 00:00 The Big Bash privatisation debate 02:00 Why cricket is chasing investment 05:51 Is the traditional cricket model finished? 07:18 Member-owned counties and decision making 09:10 Football's influence on cricket 11:23 Does tradition hold cricket back? 14:20 The Rod Bransgrove effect at Hampshire 16:16 Facilities versus success on the field 18:31 Is cricket becoming a commercial entertainment business? 21:31 England's defeat to New Zealand 22:36 Joe Root's captaincy 23:44 James Rew and England's selection decisions 24:36 Jofra Archer's reaction to Rew's dropped catch 30:14 Should Ollie Pope have been recalled? 34:57 Jacob Bethell under pressure? 36:34 Has the IPL affected Bethell's red-ball development? 40:51 Third Test preview 43:10 Rehan Ahmed's England prospects 45:50 Should England rest Jofra Archer? 47:50 The ECB, Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson 49:12 Ben Stokes' relationship with the ECB 52:13 Third Test predictions 53:04 Who Am I? 58:34 Geraint's famous rebound catches 59:57 The 18-ball over 1:01:27 Volunteers: the lifeblood of club cricket 1:04:26 Final thoughts

    1h 6m

  3. Jun 18

    Stokes, Leadership & England's Selection Gamble

    Ben Stokes' nightclub incident has dominated the headlines, but what are the real consequences for England and their captain? Sanjay Murthy and Geraint Jones discuss leadership, decision-making under pressure, the challenge of replacing Ben Stokes, Joe Root's return as captain, Harry Brook's future, Jordan Cox and Harry Crocombe's England opportunities, and England's selection gamble for the Second Test. Plus: 🏏 Do England trust Harry Brook? 🏏 Can anyone replace Ben Stokes? 🏏 Why Jordan Cox has been called up 🏏 England's no-spinner gamble 🏏 Women's T20 World Cup review 🏏 Sri Mandhana in Who Am I? Watch, listen and subscribe for weekly cricket debate, insight and stories from inside the game. 00:00 Ben Stokes And Decision Making 01:39 Why McCullum Is Disappointed 04:07 Consequences Of Poor Decisions 07:14 England's Leadership Problem 08:48 Freddie Flintoff & Pressure In Sport 13:12 Fame, Match Fixing & Legacy 15:51 Root Captains England 18:21 Can England Replace Stokes? 20:14 Jordan Cox & Harry Crocombe 24:25 England's Selection Gamble 27:43 Has James Rew Been Hard Done By? 28:54 Second Test Predictions 30:10 Kane Williamson's Retirement 31:10 Who Am I? 35:28 Women's T20 World Cup Review 43:45 West Indies As Dark Horses #EnglandCricket #BenStokes #JoeRoot #CricketPodcast #TestCricket

    44 min

  4. Jun 16

    Lord's Pitch Controversy, Cricket Testimonials & Women's T20 World Cup Predictions | Close of Play

    In this edition of Close of Play, Sanjay Murthy and 2005 Ashes winner Geraint Jones tackle some of cricket's biggest talking points. The pair debate the controversial Lord's Test pitch and ask whether the Home of Cricket should face consequences for producing a match that lasted little more than two days. Could drop-in pitches be the answer, and what actually makes a great Test wicket? They also discuss the future of cricket testimonials. Do benefit years still serve a purpose in modern cricket? Why do football testimonials feel like major events while cricket still relies on traditional fundraising dinners? And could players such as Sam Billings completely reinvent the model? Attention then turns to the Women's T20 World Cup, with predictions, dark horses and discussion around England's chances on home soil. Can Australia cope without Alyssa Healy? Are South Africa being overlooked? And who will lift the trophy? Plus, another edition of Who Am I? featuring one of cricket's most colourful and surprising careers. Featuring: • The Lord's pitch debate • Should Lord's lose Test status? • The future of cricket testimonials • Sam Billings and modern benefit years • Women's T20 World Cup predictions • Can England win the World Cup? • Australia without Alyssa Healy • Who Am I? Close of Play — cricket conversations with Sanjay Murthy and Geraint Jones.

    1h 5m

  5. Jun 8

    Do Results Matter | Sooryavanshi - Best Ever?

    YouTube description: This week on Close of Play, Sanjay Murthy and 2005 Ashes winner Geraint Jones bring together four cricket conversations in one full episode. First, Jonesy reflects on England Lions duty and asks whether results really matter at that level — or whether the bigger value is giving young players exposure to the next step up from county cricket. Then attention turns to Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the teenage Indian sensation already being talked about as cricket’s next great talent. Is early fame a blessing or a curse? Can senior players learn from juniors? And could his game work in Test cricket? We also discuss Lord’s, where England begin their Test summer against New Zealand. Are England ready? Has their approach shifted after the Ashes? And how dangerous are New Zealand’s bowling attack? Finally, it’s Silly Point — with a Who Am I? cricket quiz that sends Jonesy all over the place before the answer is finally revealed. Watch, like, comment and subscribe for more cricket debate, stories and analysis from Close of Play. Music licensed through Soundstripe. Licence code: 9TMNMXPMQSYQ4QLE

    57 min

  6. May 26

    Life of a Cricket Coach | Inside the England Lions Setup

    Spotify Title Life of a Cricket Coach | Inside the England Lions Setup What does a cricket coach actually do all day? This week on Close of Play, Geraint Jones takes us inside the England Lions coaching setup and reveals the reality of modern elite cricket coaching. From selection meetings and analyst data to player management, confidence, pressure and preparation, Jonesy explains what really happens behind the scenes at England Lions level. We also discuss: Fred Flintoff as a coach The jump from county cricket to Lions cricket Why some young players thrive and others disappear Whether the IPL is better development than April county cricket Ben Mays & Asa Tribe Zach Crawley’s white-ball future England women selection dilemmas The pressure of elite cricket 🎙️ Close of Play with Sanjay Murthy & 2005 Ashes winner Geraint Jones. 00:00 Intro00:47 A day in the life of an England Lions coach03:39 Matchday food & preparation07:27 How selection decisions are made09:55 The role of analysts in modern cricket12:56 Technical vs psychological coaching17:03 Fred Flintoff as a coach19:37 What coaches actually watch during games24:08 Ben Mays & Asa Tribe28:14 Do Lions runs matter more than county runs?33:16 IPL vs county cricket development debate36:47 The pressure jump in elite cricket38:52 Silly Point – Sophie Devine45:08 England women selection debate48:30 Zach Crawley’s white-ball future54:10 Quickfire questions59:57 Best food in cricket01:00:36 Outro Spotify DescriptionSpotify Chapters

    1h 1m

  7. May 18

    England Squad Announced: Did They Really Listen To The Fans?

    England have named their squad — but did they really listen to the fans after the Ashes? This week on Close of Play, Sanjay Murthy and 2005 Ashes winner Geraint Jones react to the latest England squad and ask whether county form has genuinely been rewarded. Sam Cook has been left out again, Sonny Baker brings genuine pace, Shoaib Bashir gets another chance, and Jofra Archer’s availability raises bigger questions about England’s red-ball planning. Plus, the lads discuss Liam Dawson’s red-ball retirement, the England Lions squad to face South Africa A, England Women’s build-up against New Zealand, and another round of Silly Point: Who Am I? England squad reaction Sam Cook omission County form and selection Sonny Baker and England pace options Shoaib Bashir v Rehan Ahmed Jofra Archer and England availability Liam Dawson red-ball retirement England Lions squad England Women v New Zealand Silly Point: Who Am I? #EnglandCricket #CountyCricket #TestCricket #CricketPodcast #CloseOfPlay

    57 min

  8. May 13

    The Cricket Regret Of A Love Island Winner | Max Morley

    What happens when the cricket dream suddenly changes direction? This week on Close of Play, Sanjay Murthy and Ashes winner Geraint Jones are joined by Max Morley — a former Durham cricketer who went from sharing the changing rooms with Ben Stokes to winning Love Island. Max opens up on: being released by Durhamthe regrets he still carries about cricketconfidence and rejection in professional sportdressing room culturesocial media and famethe road not takenPlus: Kevin Pietersen and cricket personalitiesIPL superstar cultureMarcus North and England selectioncounty cricket storylinesEngland v New ZealandOne of our most honest conversations yet about ambition, identity and hindsight. Spotify Chapters 00:00 Intro00:48 Max Morley’s Cricket Story03:10 Cricket After Love Island06:05 Does Cricket Want Personalities?11:40 Kevin Pietersen & Fame16:15 Did Love Island Change Everything?18:50 Cricket Regrets & “What Ifs”25:12 Confidence In Professional Cricket31:10 Dressing Room Stories33:35 Silly Point: Cricketer Or Love Islander?40:42 Wisden Awards42:45 IPL Final Controversy44:20 Marcus North & England Selection47:15 England’s Opening Debate52:38 Player Resting Debate55:20 England v New Zealand57:25 Final Over

    1 hr
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About

Close of Play is the cricket show that treats the game seriously, but never itself. Hosted by broadcaster Sanjay Murthy and former England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones, each episode mixes dodgy analysis, strong opinions, behind-the-scenes stories and the sort of cricket chat you'd hear after a long day at the ground. From England's latest selection headaches and Ashes talking points to county cricket, world cricket and the characters who make the game unforgettable, nothing is off limits. Expect debate, laughs, occasional disagreements and the odd tale that probably shouldn't be repeated.

Information

  • Creator
    Sanjay Murthy & Geraint Jones
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    56
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Sanjay Murthy & Geraint Jones
  • Show Website
    Close of Play Podcast

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