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.