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 the pressure of millions watching live. We talk about how iconic cricket moments are captured in real time, the evolution of broadcast technology and storytelling and what goes into training and guiding commentators.
From behind the lens to the heart of the action, this is a rare insight into the unsung craft of live sport direction, where instinct, timing, and teamwork shape the memories that fans will replay forever.
Close of Play is where cricket meets culture — conversations with the people who bring the game to life.
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 Australian players develop faster, why clubs and schools matter so much, and how cultural identity shapes performance. Jarrod’s trademark wit and sharp analysis bring the subject to life, blending historical perspective with modern insight.
Whether you’re a coach, fan, or student of the game, this episode reveals how sport can define a nation — and how Australia has mastered that art.
Close of Play is a series that celebrates the people and ideas behind the world’s most beloved game — cricket as culture, community, and conversation.
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 redefining ambition and expectation.
From tactical decisions and standout performances to the cultural meaning of women’s cricket in both nations, this is a conversation about evolution, opportunity, and the energy driving the women’s game forward.
Close of Play is where cricket meets culture — a space for stories, voices, and perspectives that make the game matter beyond the boundary.
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 so compelling.
And, in a standout moment, he recalls the day he faced Jeff Thomson in the nets — one of the fastest bowlers the game has ever seen — and what that brief, terrifying encounter revealed about courage, curiosity, and the journalist’s duty to get close to the story.
From touring tales to cricket culture, Close of Play brings you the voices behind the game — those who watch it, write it, and live it.
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?
From grassroots systems and player mentality to coaching philosophies and cricket’s shifting power map, this episode dives deep into the evolving world order of international cricket.
Close of Play brings together global voices and sharp minds to talk about the stories that shape the sport beyond the scorecard.