Close of Play

Sanjay Murthy & Geraint Jones
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Cricket
  • Updated Weekly

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. 4d ago

    Jonty Rhodes: Cricket Can Change Lives

    Jonty Rhodes believes Europe is cricket’s “last frontier” – but his new mission goes far beyond winning matches. The South Africa legend talks to Sanjay Murthy about becoming co-owner of the Rotterdam Dockers, growing cricket across Europe and the franchise’s partnership with Bat For A Chance. Jonty explains how cricket helped unite South Africa, why players can become ambassadors for change and how sport can create opportunities for young people in underserved communities. He also revisits the iconic Inzamam-ul-Haq run-out, his Lord’s century and South Africa’s heartbreaking 1999 World Cup semi-final against Australia. Elsewhere, Sanjay and Geraint Jones ask whether cricket can crack Europe, play Who Am I? and launch What’s Got Geraint’s Goat? – featuring Pakistan’s problems, the Alice Capsey wicketkeeping debate and cricket’s latest bad-light farce. Chapters 00:00 Jonty Rhodes on cricket and social change 01:00 Can cricket crack Europe? 07:20 Giving back through cricket 09:12 Jonty Rhodes joins Close of Play 10:03 Childhood, apartheid and South Africa’s return 13:01 The iconic Inzamam-ul-Haq run-out 15:04 Jonty’s batting and Lord’s century 19:50 Cricket’s role in changing South Africa 21:51 The 1999 World Cup semi-final 26:05 Why Jonty invested in Rotterdam Dockers 29:52 The Bat For A Chance partnership 33:45 Silly Point: Who Am I? 41:39 What’s Got Geraint’s Goat? 43:14 Pakistan’s Test cricket problems 51:35 The Alice Capsey wicketkeeping debate 56:17 Cricket’s latest bad-light farce Subscribe to Close of Play for more cricket interviews, debate and stories. #Cricket #JontyRhodes #EuropeanCricket #ETPL #RotterdamDockers #BatForAChance #SouthAfricaCricket

  2. Aug 25

    Have Australia Left Their Rebuild Too Late?

    Have Australia left their rebuild too late? Australia’s Test side has an average age of 33, with several senior players approaching what could be their final Ashes series. Sanjay and Geraint assess whether the selectors should begin making difficult decisions now—and examine the young Australians pushing for an opportunity. They also discuss England’s progress towards the 2027 Ashes, Joe Root’s return as captain, Brydon Carse’s nightclub incident and whether England have a wider problem with player behaviour. Plus, Silly Point and Geraint’s Golden Nuggets on standing up to the stumps. Chapters 00:00 Have Australia left their rebuild too late?02:14 Australia’s ageing Test side05:00 Have the selectors been too conservative?08:41 The Arsenal comparison10:57 Australia’s next generation15:01 Now or never for Australia16:18 England’s Ashes rebuild20:17 Jordan Cox or Dan Lawrence?21:51 England’s new pace attack25:18 Ponting’s 2027 Ashes squad26:59 The Lions pathway30:30 Silly Point: Who Am I?35:28 England thrash Pakistan41:42 Pakistan’s missing young players44:15 Does England have a discipline problem?50:14 Golden Nuggets: Standing up to the stumps01:00:00 Jonesy’s weekend cricket return

  3. Aug 18

    ENGLAND V PAKISTAN: IS THIS PAKISTAN'S BEST CHANCE SINCE 1996?

    Pakistan are unpredictable. England are vulnerable. Who should be more worried? Sanjay Murthy and Geraint Jones preview the three-Test series, including: • Joe Root v Babar Azam • Pakistan’s 30-year wait for a series win in England • Mohammad Abbas against England’s top order • Harry Brook, Jordan Cox and Shoaib Bashir • Series predictions Plus The Hundred Finals Day, Bangladesh’s historic win in Australia, Silly Point and Geraint’s Golden Nuggets. Chapters 00:00 Opening 00:48 England v Pakistan: who should be worried? 05:16 Pakistan’s record in England 07:41 Key players and the captaincy battle 13:09 Mohammad Abbas and England’s top order 14:31 Jordan Cox’s opportunity 16:24 Shoaib Bashir and England’s balance 20:43 The pace battle and Harry Brook 24:50 Series predictions 27:38 Silly Point: Who am I? 33:39 The Hundred Finals Day review 42:21 Bangladesh stun Australia 48:55 Golden Nuggets: playing the leg-side ball

  4. Aug 11

    DO ENGLAND HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT TO DO WITH OLLIE POPE?

    DESCRIPTION Do England have any idea what to do with Ollie Pope? He is back in the Test squad, but with Jordan Cox selected at No. 3 and Dan Lawrence at No. 6, is he really any closer to playing? Sanjay and former England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones examine Joe Root’s first squad of the new regime, the selection of seven seamers and the likely attack for the opening Test against Pakistan at Headingley. Geraint also gives his inside view on Andrew Flintoff’s departure from the England Lions. Did constant player turnover make it impossible for Flintoff to build the team environment he wanted and what should the ECB do next? Plus: Geraint’s Golden Nuggets, another round of Silly Point, viewer reaction to the proposal of taking The Hundred on the road and Geraint’s eventful return to the cricket field. Let us know what you think: what exactly is England’s plan for Ollie Pope? CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro00:43 England’s first squad of the new regime09:09 What is England’s plan for Ollie Pope?14:55 New era or the same old squad?19:42 Our England XI for Headingley21:58 Geraint’s Golden Nuggets26:21 Why Andrew Flintoff left the England Lions31:28 Can the Lions build a culture with constant turnover?34:40 Does England need more than one Lions team?39:34 Who should replace Flintoff?41:11 Silly Point47:06 Should The Hundred go on the road?54:04 Geraint’s cricket comeback #EnglandCricket #OlliePope #CricketPodcast

    DO ENGLAND HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT TO DO WITH OLLIE POPE?

  5. Aug 4

    CAN FLEMING SAVE ENGLAND?

    Stephen Fleming is England’s new Test coach and Joe Root is back as captain — but is this a masterstroke or a safe step backwards? We discuss whether Fleming can retain the best of Bazball while bringing greater tactical intelligence, control and adaptability to England’s Test cricket. Plus, crowds at The Hundred are down. Has the novelty worn off, does it need Indian superstars — or is English cricket trying to sustain one competition too many? Plus a new feature - Geraint's Golden Nuggets. Let us know what you think in the comments and subscribe to Close of Play.

    CAN FLEMING SAVE ENGLAND?

  6. Jul 23

    Cricket's Greatest Legacy? | England Beat India | Blast Finals Day | ICC Shake-Up

    Can cricket change lives away from the field? This week on Close of Play, Sanjay Murthy sits down with Sir Clive Lloyd, Sir Viv Richards and Brian Lara to discuss The Great Catch — a campaign aiming to reduce prostate cancer deaths across the Caribbean. We also review England's ODI series victory over India, discuss the Vitality Blast Finals Day, debate the future of domestic cricket, and break down the key decisions from the ICC's Annual Conference. In this episode: 🏏 Exclusive interviews with Sir Clive Lloyd, Sir Viv Richards and Brian Lara 🏏 The Great Catch and cricket's charitable legacy 🏏 England beat India in the ODI series 🏏 Vitality Blast Finals Day review 🏏 Women's Finals Day attendance debate 🏏 Could the Blast and The Hundred coexist? 🏏 ICC AGM: World Club T20, World Test Championship, franchise cricket and more 🏏 Who Am I? Subscribe for weekly cricket debate, exclusive interviews and analysis. 00:00 Introduction 01:10 Cricket's Greatest Legacy? 02:05 Sir Clive Lloyd Interview 03:25 Sir Viv Richards Interview 05:10 Brian Lara Interview 06:40 Why Cricket Creates So Many Charities 15:25 England Beat India 30:55 Vitality Blast Finals Day 50:55 Who Am I? 57:00 ICC AGM Explained 01:06:45 Wrap Up

  7. Jul 7

    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

  8. Jun 30

    England In Chaos: Stokes Quits, Bazball Breaks & Who Captains Next?

    Ben Stokes has quit England cricket, and Sanjay Murthy and Geraint Jones pick through the fallout. They discuss the timing of Stokes’ decision, whether the final day against New Zealand exposed the limits of Bazball, and what pressure now falls on Rob Key, Brendon McCullum and the England leadership group. There is also the major captaincy question: who leads England next? Sanjay and Jonesy also pick their best England XI from their lifetime, look at who could replace Stokes as an all-rounder, play Silly Point, and preview the Women’s T20 World Cup semi-finals.

See All (63)

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
    63
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Sanjay Murthy & Geraint Jones
  • Show Website
    Close of Play