SHAMBLES: STOKES QUITS, BAZBALL RETURNS & WHO CAPTAINS NEXT?

Ben Stokes has quit England cricket — and the timing, the fallout and the bigger questions around England’s Test side have left plenty to unpack. Sanjay Murthy and Geraint Jones discuss Stokes’ shock decision, whether the final day against New Zealand became the last act of Bazball, and what pressure now falls on Rob Key, Brendon McCullum and the wider England leadership group. They also ask the big question: who captains England next? Is Harry Brook ready? Could Ben Duckett be an option? Has England cricket failed to plan properly for life after Stokes? Also on the show: Sanjay and Jonesy pick their best England XI from their lifetime, discuss the hole left by Stokes as an all-rounder, look at possible balance options for the Test side, play Silly Point, and preview the Women’s T20 World Cup semi-finals. Watch, like, comment and subscribe for more cricket chat from Close of Play. 00:00 Intro 00:38 Geraint hears the Stokes news 01:17 Why did Ben Stokes quit now? 03:05 The timing of the resignation 04:13 Is Stokes really done with England? 05:13 Will this affect his legacy? 08:21 Was this Bazball’s final hurrah? 09:29 Harry Brook’s reckless innings 11:00 New Zealand’s Test-match toughness 13:47 Are Key and McCullum under pressure? 15:49 Should England make changes? 18:50 Could a new captain change England? 20:53 Why Harry Brook cannot captain England yet 22:29 Who is England’s next Test captain? 24:25 Could Ben Duckett be the answer? 26:29 Best England XI of our lifetime 31:33 Who replaces Stokes the all-rounder? 33:17 James Coles, Rehan Ahmed and England’s balance 36:32 Silly Point 44:25 Women’s T20 World Cup semi-finals preview 47:21 The brilliance of Ellyse Perry 49:35 England v South Africa preview 52:39 Kent Women’s must-win game 54:34 Final thoughts #englandcricket #benstokes #bazball #testcricket #closeofplay #cricketpodcast #engvnz #brendonmccullum #robkey #harrybrook #womenst20worldcup