Close of Play

After England’s two-day defeat in Perth, are the fans starting to turn? Former England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones joins Sanjay to dissect a bruising week for English cricket.

We discuss:
• Why supporters feel “hurt and disappointed” rather than furious 
• Whether McCullum and Stokes have misjudged their Ashes prep
• Khawaja’s three days of golf — harmless or careless?
• How Travis Head’s measured start became a match-changing innings
• England’s “samey” bowling attack and whether Bashir must play in Brisbane
• The pressure on Rob Key, Baz and Stokes if England crash again
• Plus the remarkable Optus Stadium decision to donate unused food after the two-day Test

A thoughtful, honest and occasionally spiky chat — with some great viewer comments thrown in (including a correction on Roger Woolley…).

Spotify Notes:
– Guest: Geraint Jones
– Theme: Ashes 2025, England reaction, selection, preparation, media pressure
– Length: ~45 minutes
– Recorded for Close of Play with Sanjay Murthy

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Day Two in Perth delivered one of the wildest swings you’ll ever see in an Ashes Test. Geraint Jones and I break down how England went from total control at lunch to total chaos by stumps — and why Travis Head’s extraordinary counterattack flipped the match on its head.

We get into:
• The genius behind sending Travis Head in to open
• England’s batting problems: flat-footed drives, hard hands, no clarity
• Why the short-ball plan backfired
• The mental and physical hangover from Day One
• DRS confusion, frame-rates, and the five-minute review
• Keeper’s Eye: the view you only get from behind the stumps
• True or False: did Australia really use five wicketkeepers in one day in 82/83?
• What England must adapt before Brisbane
• And the beer running out at lunchtime… again

Close of Play brings you honest, sharp, funny Test match analysis every day of the Ashes.

Follow the show and join us for the Second Test preview.

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An absolutely mad Day One of the Ashes — and Geraint Jones joins Sanjay to unpack the chaos.

England were bowled out in 32.5 overs, Mitch Starc tore through the order, and Australia seized control inside a single session. And then Ben came to the party,

We cover:

• How England collapsed so quickly

• The significance of Starc’s 7-58

• Momentum moments that defined the day

• What England must do to push on

• A “True or False” Ashes history quiz (Day One edition)

• Insights into what the keeper sees

  Short, sharp, daily Ashes insights — this is Close of Play.

Host: Sanjay Murthy
Guest: Geraint Jones

Follow the show for daily Ashes reactions.

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His catch to dismiss Michael Kasprowicz remains one of the iconic moments of the 2005 Ashes. Geraint recalls that, and also the first ball of the 2006/7 series, that was equally iconic for different reasons. We also talk about Perth, line ups and what England will need to do to bring the urn home

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In this episode of Close of Play, Sanjay Murthy is joined by Gavin Scovell, the ICC’s Senior Cricket TV Director and the man behind some of the most unforgettable moments in modern cricket.

From Carlos Brathwaite’s four sixes in the 2016 T20 World Cup Final, to the chaos of the 2019 Men’s World Cup Super Over, to Anya Shrubsole’s match-winning spell in the 2017 Women’s World Cup — Gavin has directed it all. He takes us inside the director's box of the world’s biggest matches, revealing what it’s really like to manage a team of dozens under the pressure of millions watching live. We talk about how iconic cricket moments are captured in real time, the evolution of broadcast technology and storytelling and what goes into training and guiding commentators.

From behind the lens to the heart of the action, this is a rare insight into the unsung craft of live sport direction, where instinct, timing, and teamwork shape the memories that fans will replay forever.

Close of Play is where cricket meets culture — conversations with the people who bring the game to life.

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In this episode of Close of Play, Sanjay Murthy sits down with Jarrod Kimber - writer, filmmaker, and one of cricket’s most original voices , to explore what makes Australian sport so consistently successful.

From the grassroots to the global stage, Jarrod breaks down the structures, systems, and mindset that have made Australia a powerhouse across multiple sports. It’s not just about talent , it’s about how the country thinks about sport: participation, pathways, coaching, competition, and a national obsession with winning the right way.

The conversation dives into how these ideas translate to cricket, why Australian players develop faster, why clubs and schools matter so much, and how cultural identity shapes performance. Jarrod’s trademark wit and sharp analysis bring the subject to life, blending historical perspective with modern insight.

Whether you’re a coach, fan, or student of the game, this episode reveals how sport can define a nation — and how Australia has mastered that art.

Close of Play is a series that celebrates the people and ideas behind the world’s most beloved game — cricket as culture, community, and conversation.

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In this episode of Close of Play, Sanjay Murthy is joined by Shachi Pai — broadcaster, cricket commentator, and passionate voice for the women’s game — to break down one of the standout moments of the tournament: England’s victory over India at the Women’s World Cup.

Together, they explore how England’s consistency and structure continue to set the standard, and how India’s growing depth and self-belief signal a genuine power shift in world cricket. Shachi brings unique insight into the mindset of both teams - what drives England’s professionalism, and how India’s new generation is redefining ambition and expectation.

From tactical decisions and standout performances to the cultural meaning of women’s cricket in both nations, this is a conversation about evolution, opportunity, and the energy driving the women’s game forward.

Close of Play is where cricket meets culture — a space for stories, voices, and perspectives that make the game matter beyond the boundary.

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In this episode of Close of Play, Sanjay Murthy is joined by Patrick Kidd — long-time Times journalist, cricket writer, and chronicler of the English game — for a conversation that blends humour, nostalgia, and pure love of the sport.

Patrick shares what it’s like to follow the England team around the world, from the quirks of press boxes to the late-night stories that never make it into print. He reflects on the camaraderie, chaos, and characters that define life on the road with English cricket — and offers an unfiltered take on what makes the travelling circus of Test cricket so compelling.

And, in a standout moment, he recalls the day he faced Jeff Thomson in the nets — one of the fastest bowlers the game has ever seen — and what that brief, terrifying encounter revealed about courage, curiosity, and the journalist’s duty to get close to the story.

From touring tales to cricket culture, Close of Play brings you the voices behind the game — those who watch it, write it, and live it.

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In this episode of Close of Play, Sanjay Murthy is joined by former Australian international and West Indies coach Stuart Law to unpack one of cricket’s great underdog stories - Nepal’s first-ever victory over a full ICC member nation.

With insight, humour, and a coach’s eye for detail, Law reflects on what this result means not just for Nepal, but for the future of the global game. How does a team from the foothills of the Himalayas topple a two-time world champion? What does it reveal about opportunity, investment, and belief in emerging cricket nations?

From grassroots systems and player mentality to coaching philosophies and cricket’s shifting power map, this episode dives deep into the evolving world order of international cricket.

Close of Play brings together global voices and sharp minds to talk about the stories that shape the sport beyond the scorecard.

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