Close of Play

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 Buttler question

* Selection calls around Rayan Ahmed & Jamie Overton

* Who England would rather face: India or West Indies

* And whether Baz McCullum’s tenure feels different in white-ball cricket

Measured analysis. Cricket first. Narrative second.

⏱ Timestamps

00:00 – Is this redemption for Harry Brook?00:55 – Ashes average vs public perception

02:37 – The No.3 century that changed the narrative

04:31 – The Jos Buttler dilemma

06:39 – Does moving Buttler solve anything?09:29 – Have England found the right balance?11:53 – Rehan Ahmed vs Jamie Overton

13:30 – India or West Indies: who suits England?16:02 – Weak spots England must address

21:44 – Who would India take from England?24:57 – Is England’s fielding decisive?

26:47 – Surprise performers of the tournament

31:00 – Silly Point: Who Am I?

52:00 – Is this redemption… or just white-ball comfort?

59:30 – Do England need a T20 coach?

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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 the gloves?We also dive into the "death" of 50-over cricket, exposing why the format is struggling for relevance, and tackle the controversial absence of Pakistani stars like Naseem Shah from The Hundred.Plus, the panel takes on a "Who Am I?" quiz that leaves everyone stumped.Timestamps: 00:00 -Intro: Is 50-Over Cricket Dying? 04:15 - The Jos Buttler Debate: Gloves vs. Bat 12:30 - Why Pakistani Players Miss Out on The Hundred 22:15 - "Who Am I?" Cricket Quiz 35:00 - County Championship PreviewFeatured in this episode: 🏏 Geraint Jones - Ashes Winner & Former England Wicketkeeper🎙️ Sanjay Murthy - Broadcaster & Host🏏 Damian Brandy - Cricket Analyst#EnglandCricket #JosButtler #CricketPodcast #TheHundred #WicketKeeper #GeraintJones #CloseOfPlay

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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 and off the pitch.⏱️ TIMESTAMPS00:00 – Welcome & Australia on the brink02:10 – How Australia unravelled06:00 – Cameron Green under pressure09:30 – Is this the end of an era?13:30 – India v Pakistan fallout18:40 – Pakistan’s key decision explained23:30 – England’s bowling concerns28:20 – Are England genuine contenders?33:40 – South Africa quietly building37:30 – Associate nations impress41:00 – Silly Point45:30 – Semi-final picture & final thoughts

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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• Pakistan’s unpredictable threatPlus: the weekly quiz — and Jonesy under pressure again.Close of Play is a weekly, accessible, informed and humorous look at world cricket — on and off the pitch.Subscribe for twice-weekly T20 World Cup reaction.⸻⏱️ CHAPTERS00:00 – England’s defeat to West Indies03:30 – Bowling concerns & selection changes07:30 – Are England fatigued?10:30 – Super Over drama: South Africa v Afghanistan14:00 – Italy hammer Nepal16:30 – Australia’s comfortable start19:30 – India building towards Pakistan22:30 – India v Pakistan preview25:00 – Quiz: Only captain to win all three ICC trophies27:30 – Final thoughts

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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 firepower • Afghanistan’s threat • South Africa’s mentality • Associate nation dark horsesAnd of course — Silly Point is back.Close of Play is a weekly, accessible, informed and humorous look at the biggest stories in world cricket — on and off the pitch.Subscribe for weekly cricket debate.⸻⏱️ CHAPTERS00:00 – Tournament format explained02:00 – Can India be beaten at home?05:30 – Pakistan and the political distraction11:30 – Netherlands & associate threats14:20 – Australia’s spin problem18:00 – Sri Lanka & Ireland analysis22:30 – Silly Point Quiz26:00 – England under pressure33:00 – West Indies & Nepal40:00 – Group of Death: SA, NZ, Afghanistan46:00 – Semi-final predictions49:30 – Final & winner predictions#cricketdebate #cricket #indiancricket #t20worldcup #englandcricket #australiacricket

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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!

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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 T20 World Cup, Bangladesh’s absence, Pakistan’s possible boycott, and whether new leagues — including a European T20 competition — are quietly undermining Test cricket.But as ever, it’s not all doom and gloom. There’s a wonderfully daft Silly Point involving band names and cricketers, an unexpected detour into kangaroo balls, and a thoughtful look at why Troy Cooley’s return to English cricket actually matters.Accessible, informed cricket chat — with humour, honesty, and the odd raised eyebrow.👇 Subscribe to Close of PlayWeekly world cricket, properly discussed.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS00:00 – Another busy week in world cricket01:25 – Bangladesh out: who really loses?02:50 – Pakistan, boycotts & late decisions03:40 – What World Cups mean for smaller nations05:20 – Playing for PNG: standards & realities07:10 – Scotland, Nepal & genuine opportunity09:10 – Groups of death and World Cup intrigue10:45 – England’s ODI tour & adapting to conditions12:30 – Rehan Ahmed opening: accident or intent?14:05 – Bowling spin properly again16:00 – Selection, Luke Wright & scapegoating17:55 – Silly Point: kangaroo balls explained21:00 – Making cricket cheaper (seriously)23:30 – Bands XI: cricket meets music28:45 – Listener suggestions for future Silly Points29:40 – COP That! The European T20 League32:00 – Is this another threat to Test cricket?35:10 – Players, money & national loyalty38:10 – BBL, WPL & global round-up41:20 – David Payne, Perth & English success43:30 – Don Bradman’s cap at auction44:45 – Troy Cooley’s return to England47:30 – Why great coaches matter48:05 – Wrap-up & next week

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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, Bangladesh, India, and the challenges facing smaller boards, but also plenty of light relief along the way. Silly Point returns with a ridiculous cricket-themed XI, Cop That looks at the Hundred’s rebrands (including that elephant), and there’s a tribute to former ECB CEO David Collier.We also dip into the Under-19 World Cup, future England talent, and why development pathways are filters, not conveyor belts.Accessible, informed cricket conversation — with humour, honesty, and no shouting.👇 Subscribe to Close of PlayWeekly world cricket. Proper debate. A bit of fun.⏱️ TIMESTAMPS00:00 – A new weekly show begins01:30 – Is cricket being run by the wrong people?03:45 – Bangladesh, India & political power07:30 – Where the ICC step in (or don’t)10:40 – When boards act like fiefdoms13:10 – Why this matters beyond one country13:55 – Silly Point: names that should play cricket18:30 – Listener submissions (send yours in)22:20 – Cop That: The Hundred rebrands explained25:10 – Why the elephant logo misses the point28:45 – IPL logic vs local identity32:00 – Could Indian stars finally play in England?33:00 – Under-19 World Cup: filter or conveyor belt?36:45 – Which young players stand out39:00 – Tribute to David Collier41:30 – Final thoughts & what’s next#Cricket #WorldCricket #CricketDebate #TestCricket

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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’s serious discussion — on Ben Stokes, Brendon McCullum, preparation, Jamie Smith, and the ECB — but also plenty of light relief, personal stories, and the kind of tangents that make cricket conversations human rather than hysterical.Accessible, informed cricket conversation — with a sense of humour — to close the Ashes and look forward.👇 Subscribe to Close of PlayInsight before noise. Analysis with perspective.⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Ashes over: welcome to the Q&A01:45 – Listener prize & setting the tone02:30 – Was England’s culture toxic on tour?05:10 – Freedom, curfews & responsibility07:10 – Schoolteacher podcasts & being rumbled08:00 – Comparisons with 2006–0709:45 – Freddie Flintoff, leadership & support11:30 – “They were programmed to play this way”12:55 – Senior players and responsibility14:30 – England’s bowling: intent or limitations?15:00 – Jamie Smith: scapegoat or fair criticism?16:45 – The keeper’s role as energy-setter18:10 – Fitness: how standards have slipped21:10 – Why fitness testing matters22:20 – McCullum under pressure: who next?24:30 – Broad, Anderson, Cook — coaches or media?27:00 – Bazball’s legacy for young players30:10 – County cricket’s moment to matter again31:30 – Asa Tribe & England’s next generation35:00 – Are young players under too much pressure?37:15 – Bias in selection: Australia vs England40:45 – Technology rant: Snicko, Ultra Edge & common sense43:00 – Does cricket still need the West Indies?46:15 – ECB money, elitism & grassroots cricket49:00 – Why club cricket is struggling52:00 – Wrapping up the Ashes & what’s next54:00 – Listener prize winner announced#ashes #englandcricket #testcricket #cricketanalysis #closeofplay #australiacricket

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he 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’s serious discussion — on Ben Stokes, Brendon McCullum, preparation, Jamie Smith, and the ECB — but also plenty of light relief, personal stories, and the kind of tangents that make cricket conversations human rather than hysterical.Accessible, informed cricket conversation — with a sense of humour — to close the Ashes and look forward.👇 Subscribe to Close of PlayInsight before noise. Analysis with perspective.⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Ashes over: welcome to the Q&A01:45 – Listener prize & setting the tone02:30 – Was England’s culture toxic on tour?05:10 – Freedom, curfews & responsibility07:10 – Schoolteacher podcasts & being rumbled08:00 – Comparisons with 2006–0709:45 – Freddie Flintoff, leadership & support11:30 – “They were programmed to play this way”12:55 – Senior players and responsibility14:30 – England’s bowling: intent or limitations?15:00 – Jamie Smith: scapegoat or fair criticism?16:45 – The keeper’s role as energy-setter18:10 – Fitness: how standards have slipped21:10 – Why fitness testing matters22:20 – McCullum under pressure: who next?24:30 – Broad, Anderson, Cook — coaches or media?27:00 – Bazball’s legacy for young players30:10 – County cricket’s moment to matter again31:30 – Asa Tribe & England’s next generation35:00 – Are young players under too much pressure?37:15 – Bias in selection: Australia vs England40:45 – Technology rant: Snicko, Ultra Edge & common sense43:00 – Does cricket still need the West Indies?46:15 – ECB money, elitism & grassroots cricket49:00 – Why club cricket is struggling52:00 – Wrapping up the Ashes & what’s next54:00 – Listener prize winner announced#ashes #englandcricket #testcricket #cricketanalysis #closeofplay #australiacricket