Close of Play

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?<...