Lord's Pitch Controversy, Cricket Testimonials & Women's T20 World Cup Predictions | Close of Play

Big Bash Privatisation, England's Defeat & The Future Of County Cricket | Close of Play

Cricket is changing fast. This week on Close of Play, Sanjay Murthy and Geraint Jones discuss the proposed privatisation of the Big Bash, the growing influence of IPL franchise owners, and whether county cricket’s traditional member-owned model can survive in the modern game. They also look back at England’s heavy defeat to New Zealand, Joe Root’s captaincy, James Rew’s Test debut, Jofra Archer’s reaction to a dropped catch, Jacob Bethell’s red-ball form, and England’s selection questions ahead of the Third Test. Plus Who Am I? Geraint’s famous rebound catches, the 18-ball over, and the usual Close of Play nonsense. 00:00 The Big Bash privatisation debate 02:00 Why cricket is chasing investment 05:51 Is the traditional cricket model finished? 07:18 Member-owned counties and decision making 09:10 Football's influence on cricket 11:23 Does tradition hold cricket back? 14:20 The Rod Bransgrove effect at Hampshire 16:16 Facilities versus success on the field 18:31 Is cricket becoming a commercial entertainment business? 21:31 England's defeat to New Zealand 22:36 Joe Root's captaincy 23:44 James Rew and England's selection decisions 24:36 Jofra Archer's reaction to Rew's dropped catch 30:14 Should Ollie Pope have been recalled? 34:57 Jacob Bethell under pressure? 36:34 Has the IPL affected Bethell's red-ball development? 40:51 Third Test preview 43:10 Rehan Ahmed's England prospects 45:50 Should England rest Jofra Archer? 47:50 The ECB, Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson 49:12 Ben Stokes' relationship with the ECB 52:13 Third Test predictions 53:04 Who Am I? 58:34 Geraint's famous rebound catches 59:57 The 18-ball over 1:01:27 Volunteers: the lifeblood of club cricket 1:04:26 Final thoughts

Stokes, Leadership & England's Selection Gamble

Ben Stokes' nightclub incident has dominated the headlines, but what are the real consequences for England and their captain? Sanjay Murthy and Geraint Jones discuss leadership, decision-making under pressure, the challenge of replacing Ben Stokes, Joe Root's return as captain, Harry Brook's future, Jordan Cox and Harry Crocombe's England opportunities, and England's selection gamble for the Second Test. Plus: 🏏 Do England trust Harry Brook? 🏏 Can anyone replace Ben Stokes? 🏏 Why Jordan Cox has been called up 🏏 England's no-spinner gamble 🏏 Women's T20 World Cup review 🏏 Sri Mandhana in Who Am I? Watch, listen and subscribe for weekly cricket debate, insight and stories from inside the game. 00:00 Ben Stokes And Decision Making 01:39 Why McCullum Is Disappointed 04:07 Consequences Of Poor Decisions 07:14 England's Leadership Problem 08:48 Freddie Flintoff & Pressure In Sport 13:12 Fame, Match Fixing & Legacy 15:51 Root Captains England 18:21 Can England Replace Stokes? 20:14 Jordan Cox & Harry Crocombe 24:25 England's Selection Gamble 27:43 Has James Rew Been Hard Done By? 28:54 Second Test Predictions 30:10 Kane Williamson's Retirement 31:10 Who Am I? 35:28 Women's T20 World Cup Review 43:45 West Indies As Dark Horses #EnglandCricket #BenStokes #JoeRoot #CricketPodcast #TestCricket

Lord's Pitch Controversy, Cricket Testimonials & Women's T20 World Cup Predictions | Close of Play

In this edition of Close of Play, Sanjay Murthy and 2005 Ashes winner Geraint Jones tackle some of cricket's biggest talking points. The pair debate the controversial Lord's Test pitch and ask whether the Home of Cricket should face consequences for producing a match that lasted little more than two days. Could drop-in pitches be the answer, and what actually makes a great Test wicket? They also discuss the future of cricket testimonials. Do benefit years still serve a purpose in modern cricket? Why do football testimonials feel like major events while cricket still relies on traditional fundraising dinners? And could players such as Sam Billings completely reinvent the model? Attention then turns to the Women's T20 World Cup, with predictions, dark horses and discussion around England's chances on home soil. Can Australia cope without Alyssa Healy? Are South Africa being overlooked? And who will lift the trophy? Plus, another edition of Who Am I? featuring one of cricket's most colourful and surprising careers. Featuring: • The Lord's pitch debate • Should Lord's lose Test status? • The future of cricket testimonials • Sam Billings and modern benefit years • Women's T20 World Cup predictions • Can England win the World Cup? • Australia without Alyssa Healy • Who Am I? Close of Play — cricket conversations with Sanjay Murthy and Geraint Jones.

Do Results Matter | Sooryavanshi - Best Ever?

YouTube description: This week on Close of Play, Sanjay Murthy and 2005 Ashes winner Geraint Jones bring together four cricket conversations in one full episode. First, Jonesy reflects on England Lions duty and asks whether results really matter at that level — or whether the bigger value is giving young players exposure to the next step up from county cricket. Then attention turns to Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the teenage Indian sensation already being talked about as cricket’s next great talent. Is early fame a blessing or a curse? Can senior players learn from juniors? And could his game work in Test cricket? We also discuss Lord’s, where England begin their Test summer against New Zealand. Are England ready? Has their approach shifted after the Ashes? And how dangerous are New Zealand’s bowling attack? Finally, it’s Silly Point — with a Who Am I? cricket quiz that sends Jonesy all over the place before the answer is finally revealed. Watch, like, comment and subscribe for more cricket debate, stories and analysis from Close of Play. Music licensed through Soundstripe. Licence code: 9TMNMXPMQSYQ4QLE

Life of a Cricket Coach | Inside the England Lions Setup

Spotify Title Life of a Cricket Coach | Inside the England Lions Setup What does a cricket coach actually do all day? This week on Close of Play, Geraint Jones takes us inside the England Lions coaching setup and reveals the reality of modern elite cricket coaching. From selection meetings and analyst data to player management, confidence, pressure and preparation, Jonesy explains what really happens behind the scenes at England Lions level. We also discuss: * Fred Flintoff as a coach * The jump from county cricket to Lions cricket * Why some young players thrive and others disappear * Whether the IPL is better development than April county cricket * Ben Mays & Asa Tribe * Zach Crawley’s white-ball future * England women selection dilemmas * The pressure of elite cricket 🎙️ Close of Play with Sanjay Murthy & 2005 Ashes winner Geraint Jones. 00:00 Intro 00:47 A day in the life of an England Lions coach 03:39 Matchday food & preparation 07:27 How selection decisions are made 09:55 The role of analysts in modern cricket 12:56 Technical vs psychological coaching 17:03 Fred Flintoff as a coach 19:37 What coaches actually watch during games 24:08 Ben Mays & Asa Tribe 28:14 Do Lions runs matter more than county runs? 33:16 IPL vs county cricket development debate 36:47 The pressure jump in elite cricket 38:52 Silly Point – Sophie Devine 45:08 England women selection debate 48:30 Zach Crawley’s white-ball future 54:10 Quickfire questions 59:57 Best food in cricket 01:00:36 Outro Spotify DescriptionSpotify Chapters