Close of Play Podcast

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

England Squad Announced: Did They Really Listen To The Fans?

England have named their squad — but did they really listen to the fans after the Ashes? This week on Close of Play, Sanjay Murthy and 2005 Ashes winner Geraint Jones react to the latest England squad and ask whether county form has genuinely been rewarded. Sam Cook has been left out again, Sonny Baker brings genuine pace, Shoaib Bashir gets another chance, and Jofra Archer’s availability raises bigger questions about England’s red-ball planning. Plus, the lads discuss Liam Dawson’s red-ball retirement, the England Lions squad to face South Africa A, England Women’s build-up against New Zealand, and another round of Silly Point: Who Am I? England squad reaction Sam Cook omission County form and selection Sonny Baker and England pace options Shoaib Bashir v Rehan Ahmed Jofra Archer and England availability Liam Dawson red-ball retirement England Lions squad England Women v New Zealand Silly Point: Who Am I? #EnglandCricket #CountyCricket #TestCricket #CricketPodcast #CloseOfPlay

The Cricket Regret Of A Love Island Winner | Max Morley

What happens when the cricket dream suddenly changes direction? This week on Close of Play, Sanjay Murthy and Ashes winner Geraint Jones are joined by Max Morley — a former Durham cricketer who went from sharing the changing rooms with Ben Stokes to winning Love Island. Max opens up on: * being released by Durham * the regrets he still carries about cricket * confidence and rejection in professional sport * dressing room culture * social media and fame * the road not taken Plus: * Kevin Pietersen and cricket personalities * IPL superstar culture * Marcus North and England selection * county cricket storylines * England v New Zealand One of our most honest conversations yet about ambition, identity and hindsight. Spotify Chapters 00:00 Intro 00:48 Max Morley’s Cricket Story 03:10 Cricket After Love Island 06:05 Does Cricket Want Personalities? 11:40 Kevin Pietersen & Fame 16:15 Did Love Island Change Everything? 18:50 Cricket Regrets & “What Ifs” 25:12 Confidence In Professional Cricket 31:10 Dressing Room Stories 33:35 Silly Point: Cricketer Or Love Islander? 40:42 Wisden Awards 42:45 IPL Final Controversy 44:20 Marcus North & England Selection 47:15 England’s Opening Debate 52:38 Player Resting Debate 55:20 England v New Zealand 57:25 Final Over

England Are Resting Gus Atkinson — Why?

Why are England resting Gus Atkinson after just one game? Sanjay and Ashes winner Geraint Jones debate the growing tension between rest and performance in the England setup. With county bowlers putting in the work, is the system fair — or is England now managing players purely for the biggest series? They also cover: * County form vs England selection * IPL vs red-ball development * The spinner dilemma * Managing Jofra Archer * Burnout vs big money in modern cricket * Plus Silly Point and a quick look at the latest England women’s squad news.