Close of Play Podcast

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.

Close of Play Podcast is a sports podcast hosted by Sanjay Murthy & Geraint Jones, with 60 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Sanjay Murthy & Geraint Jones hosts Close of Play Podcast, a sports show with 60 episodes published.

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  Close of Play Podcast

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

  Aug 18, 202656 min

  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

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  Close of Play Podcast

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

  Aug 11, 202657 min

  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 Intro 00:43 England’s first squad of the new regime 09:09 What is England’s plan for Ollie Pope? 14:55 New era or the same old squad? 19:42 Our England XI for Headingley 21:58 Geraint’s Golden Nuggets 26:21 Why Andrew Flintoff left the England Lions 31:28 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 Point 47:06 Should The Hundred go on the road? 54:04 Geraint’s cricket comeback #EnglandCricket #OlliePope #CricketPodcast

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  Close of Play Podcast

  CAN FLEMING SAVE ENGLAND?

  Aug 4, 20261h 1m

  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.

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  Close of Play Podcast

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

  Jul 23, 20261h 5m

  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

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  Close of Play Podcast

  Another England Reset? Australia Win Again, Listener Questions & Vitality Blast Finals Race

  Jul 7, 202658 min

  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

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