The Ashes

[Holmes_and_Watson]

435 to win!

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Oh for...

1st wicket down for 4 runs

[austsaint]

On 06/12/2025 at 06:27, Gloucester Saint said:

Duck-ett by name, Duckett by nature.

One thing we’ve probably learned in these first three matches - neither Duckett or Pope have test match techniques against high class pace bowling.

[badgerx16]

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/dec/19/waste-of-will-jacks-talent-speaks-volumes-england-bodged-ashes-planning-cricket

[Gloucester Saint]

4 hours ago, austsaint said:

One thing we’ve probably learned in these first three matches - neither Duckett or Pope have test match techniques against high class pace bowling.

Duckett only leaves 1% of deliveries. This was touted as new and revolutionary but in Australia where you need to be able to leave the new ball on steep bounce from back of a length on 4th/5th stump, I feared it would be a weakness and it was. Pope doesn’t have it inbetween the ears but tbf to him, he was no #3 and shame on Stokes and Brendon for that cock up. 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Got closer to that total than I thought they would. But the outcome's the same. 

[Stripey McStripe Shirt]

4 hours ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

Got closer to that total than I thought they would. But the outcome's the same. 

Yep, woke up at about 3pm for a wee and had a quick check of the score, pleasantly surprised that they were still going. Obviously woke up a few hours later and not even remotely surprised we lost, fairy comfortably.

[badgerx16]

Meanwhile in New Zealand, both NZ openers score centuries, for the second time in the match, and all 3 completed first wicket partnerships have passed 100.

[Gloucester Saint]

5 hours ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

Got closer to that total than I thought they would. But the outcome's the same. 

Simply not fit enough for the physical and mental intensity of the Ashes. Playing golf is a good rest day activity but not the main preparation. I don’t think it will be 5-0 this time as the Bazball bottlejobs will turn up for one of the last two Tests but the bullshit has been well and truly seen through.

[Lord Duckhunter]

It’s been a shit show from start to finish. Arrogance personified. They need a clear out starting with Key & Brendon McCullum. Stokes is clearly too talented to be ditched, and there’s nobody else capable of the captaincy, but the whole thing needs re thinking. We should start preparation and planning for the next series in Australia now, that should be our focus, red ball cricket. We’ll be competitive at home, but that pointless if we shit the bed down under. 

[badgerx16]

2 hours ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Simply not fit enough for the physical and mental intensity of the Ashes. Playing golf is a good rest day activity but not the main preparation. I don’t think it will be 5-0 this time as the Bazball bottlejobs will turn up for one of the last two Tests but the bullshit has been well and truly seen through.

I do. The Aussies will be looking to totally humiliate us. 

Crawley and Pope have both had their one reasonably good score of the series, Duckett is a busted flush on these pitches, Brook and Smith will continue doing what they do and failing to build an innings, Archer needs to be nursed through a game, and Carse etc just leak too many runs whilst showing they are unable to adapt their line and length. Root and Stokes will continue to carry the team, though even Joe is struggling for consistency. Goodness only knows why Bashir is there.

Edit: apologies to Crawley who has somehow made 2 half decent scores.

 

Edited 4 hours ago by badgerx16

[badgerx16]

Looks like Lyon is out of the last 2 tests and Cummins is likely to miss the 4th. Which "unknown" replacements will the Aussies bring in to demolish England ? Plus, of course, Smith returns.

Edited 3 hours ago by badgerx16

[Holmes_and_Watson]

1 hour ago, badgerx16 said:

Looks like Lyon is out of the last 2 tests and Cummins is likely to miss the 4th. Which "unknown" replacements will the Aussies bring in to demolish England ? Plus, of course, Smith returns.

As the Australians took some stick for the age of their team, watch the return of McGrath and Lillee easily win the next two. 🙂