Close of Play

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 gamble, to the fallout for Shoaib Bashir — this is an unfiltered look at an England side out of ideas in Australia.

👇 Subscribe for daily Ashes analysis
If you value straight-talking cricket insight without spin, hit subscribe — it genuinely helps the channel grow.

00:00 – “What are you lot doing?” England frustration
00:32 – Why the Ashes always expose England
00:54 – Potts, Atkinson, Fisher: the bowlers England ignored
01:18 – Who is to blame for Shoaib Bashir’s situation?
01:39 – Travis Head dominates… again
02:06 – Fans losing belief: “What’s the point of watching?”
03:07 – Stokes & Archer’s stand: the only positives
03:57 – When the tail shows the top order how to bat
04:27 – Archer’s batting: first-class vs Test cricket
05:44 – Why England’s bowling has been so bad
06:43 – Tactics vs execution: where it’s really failing
07:30 – Why Travis Head keeps scoring in the same areas
08:26 – Selection policy & county cricket questions
09:46 – “The Ashes slap England in the face”
11:53 – Why Potts should feel unlucky
13:16 – Will Jacks, favourites & selection logic
15:01 – “Backed into a corner” — a worrying admission
16:17 – Why picking a part-time spinner was fatal
18:25 – County cricket, spinners & development failures
19:47 – The Shoaib Bashir contract dilemma
22:09 – Australia’s ruthless strategy from here
23:47 – Alex Carey’s match-winning impact
26:29 – Are England making Stokes look like a bad captain?
29:44 – Body language, fatigue & cracks in the squad
32:08 – Talent vs mentality at the top level
33:38 – Subscribe + True or False (keeper edition)
36:24 – Will Jacks vs Warne & Botham comparisons
40:23 – What the Jacks selection really tells us
41:56 – Why Travis Head succeeds where England don’t
44:55 – Final thoughts: where England go from here

England’s bowling: tactics, execution, or selection?

Interested to hear what people think 👇
Subscribe for daily Ashes analysis.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

• Nathan Lyon’s greatness

• Selection, tactics, and mentality

• And why this day felt like the moment the Ashes died

This is proper Test cricket analysis, not headline noise.

👇 If you enjoy honest cricket debate and expert insight, subscribe now on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

👉 New episodes throughout the Ashes
👉 Analysis you won’t get elsewhere

00:00 – A song, a warning… and the mood of the day
01:06 – “This was the day the Ashes died”
02:00 – England got everything wrong (preparation, selection, tactics)
02:36 – Has Bazball been sold to us on false promises?
03:55 – Why Australia’s bowlers are streets ahead
04:30 – Review of the day: Australia seize control
05:10 – Short bowling, poor execution & England’s problem
06:15 – Why changing tactics constantly doesn’t work
07:26 – The importance of the first over
08:22 – What great bowlers do that England’s don’t
09:36 – Ollie Pope: talent vs position vs confidence
11:30 – Nathan Lyon’s impact and mentality
13:32 – Why Australia always find bowlers who deliver
14:52 – County cricket vs Sheffield Shield
15:47 – Why Pope may need to be dropped to reset
18:09 – Are Root and Stokes batting in the wrong positions?
20:29 – Is there a long-term solution at No.3?
23:15 – Dom Sibley, Cummins & selection hypocrisy
26:26 – Jofra Archer’s response under pressure
28:53 – Subscribe & Ashes True or False
31:25 – A ridiculous (but true) Ashes story
32:19 – Snicko, technology failures & controversy
36:15 – Why England are right to complain (and wrong)
39:41 – Can England still save something from this Test?
42:45 – Is county cricket fit for purpose?
45:29 – Final thoughts: realism, hope, and what comes next

👍 Like the video if you enjoy real Test cricket analysis
🔔 Subscribe for daily Ashes insight
💬 Comment: Is Bazball finished in Australia?

#Ashes #EnglandCricket #Bazball #TestCricket #AustraliaVsEngland
#CricketAnalysis #NathanLyon #OlliePope #BenStokes #JoeRoot #sanjaymurthycricket #geraintjones
#Ashes2025 #CricketDebate #CloseOfPlay

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Alex Carey’s hundred and momentum shift

09:00 Jofra Archer’s return and pace management

12:00 Carse, control and bowling balance

15:00 Will Jacks and spin on Australian pitches

18:00 Confidence, keeping and batting rhythm

21:00 Session-by-session breakdown

25:00 Snicko, technology and trust

29:00 Carey, Starc and lower-order impact

33:00 Who actually won the day?

38:00 Selection pressure and mental edge

42:00 What England must do next

46:00 Final verdict and outlook

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 dilemmas, the influence of T20 cricket, and whether England’s current squad is capable of adapting to Australian conditions — before previewing the Third Test and offering score predictions.

00:00 Condolences and perspective

01:00 Why batting time still wins Test matches

03:30 Bazball vs Australian conditions

06:20 Preparation vs practice – what England got wrong

10:30 Selection problems and lack of alternatives

15:10 Has T20 cricket damaged Test technique?

22:00 Technique, intent, and modern batting

29:00 Nick Compton on losing the art of batting time

32:00 The numbers: balls faced, run rates, elite batters

38:00 True or False: The Compton family

42:30 Third Test selections and bowling balance

48:30 Cummins, Lyon and Australian stability

51:00 Score predictions – is 5–0 possible?

#Ashes

#Bazball

#TestCricket

#NickCompton

#CloseOfPlay

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

ITV’s Mark Pougatch joins Sanjay Murthy for a wide-ranging conversation about cricket, football and broadcasting — from Test Match Special and Ashes Tours to the reality of live TV, the chaos of modern schedules and why he still hasn’t managed to take Roy Keane to Lord’s.

Mark reflects on Harry Brook, Kevin Pietersen, county cricket, IPL years, his dad’s cricket legacy, his TMS commentary memories, and what separates great broadcasting from good broadcasting.

A brilliant chat with one of sport’s most familiar voices.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sanjay Murthy sits down with Jason Warne for a powerful, honest and often funny conversation about life growing up with Shane Warne, the competitive battles that shaped their childhood, and the emotional creation of the Shane Warne Legacy.

Jason shares incredible behind-the-scenes stories—from backyard cricket wars to the Gatting ball, to navigating fame, media scrutiny and the truth behind Australia’s greatest spinner. We also break down the Ashes, Travis Head’s brilliance, Bazball’s limitations and what England must do next.

A heartfelt tribute, a cricket masterclass and a reminder of why Shane Warne meant so much to the world.

#CloseOfPlay #JasonWarne #ShaneWarne #ShaneWarneLegacy #CricketPodcast

#Ashes2025 #AshesCricket #LegSpin #AustraliaCricket #Bazball #TestCricket

#SanjayMurthy #CricketStories #HeartHealth #CricketLegends

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

England lose by eight wickets and fall 2–0 behind in the Ashes — but the headlines were dominated by rare honesty from Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, who admitted England must change both their mindset and approach.

In today’s Close of Play, Sanjay Murthy and former England international Geraint Jones unpack a huge day for English cricket:

• Stokes calling out his own dressing room
• McCullum’s surprising shift in tone, but not message
• England’s mentality — not skill — now the biggest issue
• Why decision-making has broken down across the team
• Selection pressure: Pope, Crawley, Duckett, Brook, Jacks,
• Is it time for Potts, Tongue or Bashir?
• Could Joe Root actually move to No.3?
• Why Will Jacks may save his spot — and why Bashir may be unlucky
• The Lions shadow squad and who’s really next in line
• The Noosa “reset week” — and whether Stokes or McCullum will lead the response
• Australia’s dilemmas too: Should Cummins walk straight back in?

One of the most revealing conversations of the Ashes so far.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On Close of Play, Sanjay Murthy and former England international Geraint Jones break down a bruising Day 3 in the second Ashes Test, where England’s tactics unravelled.

Geraint gives a brutally honest assessment of:

• England’s baffling tactics
• Australia's excellemt reading of the maych situation
• Time's up for Ollie Pope
• The lack of acceptance by England of failed plans

Plus Geraint’s 100% True or False record survives another day, and we get stories from village cricket Christmas dinners and Jonesy's award

Another lively, insightful Ashes review from Close of Play.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On Close of Play, Sanjay Murthy and former England international Geraint Jones dissect a tough Day 2 for England in the second Ashes Test. Australia finish 378–6, and England’s tactics come under serious scrutiny.

Geraint breaks down why England’s bowlers failed to adjust, how Stokes’ emotional leadership affects the team, why bowling pairs matter, and gives a detailed keeper’s insight into Jamie Smith’s dropped catch. We also discuss vice-captaincy dynamics, selection questions around Will Jacks, and what England must do to stay alive in this Test.

A brutally honest, insightful review — with the usual dose of humour, anecdotes, and our daily Ashes True or False.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this conversation, Sanjay Murthy and Geraint Jones discuss the recent changes in the England cricket team, particularly the selection of Will Jacks to replace Mark Wood and the implications for Shoaib Bashir. They analyse the team's strategy and the pressures on young players like Zak Crawley. The discussion then shifts to the sad news of Robin Smith's passing, reflecting on his contributions to cricket and the impact he had on the game.

England's selection of Will Jacks raises questions about team strategy.

Shoaib Bashir's exclusion may affect his confidence and future.

The need for a reliable spinner in the Ashes series is critical.

Zak Crawley is under pressure to perform as an opener.

The balance of the team is being questioned with the new selection.

Robin Smith is remembered for his powerful batting and unique style.

The conversation highlights the emotional impact of losing a cricket legend.

Adaptability in team strategy is essential for success.

The importance of communication in team selections is emphasized.

The legacy of players like Robin Smith continues to inspire future generations.

#Englandcricket #ashes #RobinSmith #WillJacks, #ShoaibBashir

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices