Close of Play

The Ashes are over. England got smashed 4–1 — and now the inquest begins.After another defeat, the focus shifts away from individual moments and onto the bigger picture: preparation, selection, leadership, and whether England’s approach to Test cricket is genuinely fit for touring Australia.In this episode of Close of Play, Sanjay Murthy and former England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones conduct a calm, forensic post-series review — assessing what England got wrong, what (if anything) improved, and where hard decisions now have to be made.This isn’t point-scoring. It’s about accountability, clarity, and what comes next.👇 Subscribe to Close of PlayAccessib...

England finally have something to smile about.

On Day Four of the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney, Jacob Bethell produced one of the moments of the series — a maiden Test hundred that brought belief, balance, and more than a few raised eyebrows in the commentary box.

In this episode of Close of Play, Sanjay Murthy and former England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones break down why Bethell’s innings felt different, how it shifted the mood around the team, and what it means for England’s selections going forward — with a few laughs along the way about comparisons...

England lost control again on Day Three in Sydney — and it wasn’t just with the ball.

Despite moments of resistance, Australia piled on the pressure through clarity, discipline, and relentless execution, while England continued to look uncertain in their bowling plans, fielding standards, and on-field leadership.

In this episode of Close of Play, Sanjay Murthy and former England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones discuss Ben Stokes’ captaincy, England’s workload management, dropped catches, the absence of clear fielding standards, and why confidence and clarity continue to separate the two sides.

There’s also analysis of Travis Hea...

England were taught another hard lesson on Day Two of the fifth Ashes Test.

Despite moments of resistance, Australia once again controlled the tempo of the game, exposing the same tactical and technical flaws that have defined England’s tour so far.

In this episode of Close of Play, Sanjay Murthy and former England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones analyse why England keep losing control in key sessions, how Australia’s bowlers consistently apply pressure, and what England must change if they are to compete away from home.

There’s also discussion on Travis Head’s impact, E...

Are fans being short-changed by modern Test cricket?

On Day One of the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney, more than 45 overs were lost despite clear skies — reigniting anger among supporters who paid, travelled, and waited to watch Test cricket unfold. In this episode of Close of Play, Sanjay Murthy and former England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones debate whether the game is now too rigid, too cautious, and too driven by commercial priorities.

From bad light rules and lightning protocols, to pitch preparation, spin bowling, batting technique, and Usman Khawaja’s powerful comments on representation and legacy, this is a...

Does the modern game of cricket still need the West Indies?

Once the most feared force in world cricket, West Indies now sit on the margins of the Test game — and this episode asks the uncomfortable question many fans are thinking but rarely say out loud.

Sanjay Murthy is joined by former Leicestershire cricketer and editor Damian Brandy to explore what really went wrong: from administration and infrastructure, to poor pitches, player incentives, franchise cricket, and the failure to adapt to the modern era.

This is not nostalgia. It’s an honest conversation about...

England have finally won a Test match in Australia — their first since 2011.

But does this victory actually mean England have learned anything from this Ashes series?

In this episode of Close of Play, Sanjay Murthy and former England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones react to England’s win on a wildly uneven pitch, discuss Jacob Bethell’s role, the return of controlled bowling lengths, and why this result doesn’t necessarily answer the bigger questions about batting, balance, and spin.

From Shoaib Bashir and Will Jacks, to selection headaches for Sydney, pitch preparation, and whether England are c...

England are under intense pressure — on the pitch, off the pitch, and under the microscope of an Ashes tour in Australia.

In this Day One MCG analysis, Sanjay Murthy and former England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones go beyond the scorecard to discuss what a brutal Ashes tour really feels like for players when results go against you.

From a 20-wicket day, to Brydon Carse’s struggles, Ben Stokes’ captaincy, Harry Brook’s instincts, and the scrutiny around Ben Duckett and team culture — this episode is about pressure, preparation, and reality.

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The Ashes are gone — not after five Tests, but after 10 days.

In this Day Five analysis, Sanjay Murthy and former England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones break down where England’s tour unravelled, why Australia managed the series better, and how preparation, adaptability, and decision-making ultimately decided everything.

From batting time and run rates, to selection, culture, and leadership, this episode explains why England were outplayed — and what must change before the next Ashes cycle.

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Straight-talking cricket insight, without noise or nostalgia.

00:00 – Ashes done in 10 days: fina...

For the first time this series, England showed signs of proper Test cricket thinking.

Day four brought application, patience, and smarter decision-making — even if the result now feels inevitable. Sanjay Murthy and former England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones break down what finally changed, why it happened too late, and what this performance tells us about England’s preparation, mentality, and future selection.

From Zac Crawley’s discipline, to Alex Carey’s elite wicketkeeping, to the unseen mental toll players now face in the social-media era — this episode goes beyond the scorecard.

👇 Subscribe for daily Ashes analysis Duration: 00:49:26

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.

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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 anal...

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

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...

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.

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...

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...

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.

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 humo...

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...

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...

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...

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 keep...

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

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...

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...

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 redefini...

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 s...

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?<...