The Ashes (Cricket)

[hunsletgreenandgold]

If there's another thread that exists, apologies, but I did have a good scan and couldn't believe there wasn't an active thread. Anyway, starts tomorrow and I for one can't wait - best chance of winning in Aus for a fair few years! 

 

First test in Perth is a bit rubbish for us in the UK with it starting 2:20am, although I guess it means we'll get to see the final session for anyone who gets up around 6:30am. 

[Maximus Decimus]

2 hours ago, hunsletgreenandgold said:

If there's another thread that exists, apologies, but I did have a good scan and couldn't believe there wasn't an active thread. Anyway, starts tomorrow and I for one can't wait - best chance of winning in Aus for a fair few years! 

 

First test in Perth is a bit rubbish for us in the UK with it starting 2:20am, although I guess it means we'll get to see the final session for anyone who gets up around 6:30am. 

I was in Australia during the series after we'd finally beaten them at home (06/07).

I'll never forget the first ball by Steve whatsisname being the widest ball I've ever seen. It certainly set the tone.

Australia are still slightish favourites but I don't know, I never give us much hope out there. Seems we lose easy more often than we compete.

[CanaBull]

Obviously hoping for a win but regardless of the pundits, Aussies seem to have a natural ability to find a way to be winners, whereas the English seem to be plucky losers.  Habits are hard to break!

[THE RED ROOSTER]

I think this will end up being subsumed into the General Cricket thread.

The Ashes genderally has a credibility problem in Australia becaused the last three series have ended 5-0, 4-0 and 4-0 . That siad, This is great chance for England given an aging and erratic Australian XI But a lot will hang on the first game at Optus stadium on Perth where England have not played a Test before (2021-22 COVID ban in WA forcing the game to Hobart).

Now if England can get a win first up that changes the dynamic of the series. The problem has always been England losing the first test at The Gabbatoir and Australia gaining momentum from that. Maybe not this time, Optus has the same type of fast pitch that used to be the case at the WACA so a four man pace attack and no spinner may work. Bashir is tall and gets bounce which will conme in handy at the last three tests.

The Pink ball game in Brisbane will also be a short one with the ball zipping around. The objective for England is to ensure the series is live going ito Sydney this time as opposed to being over after Adelaide.

Bazball provides stunning victories but also stunning defeats suxc as the Oval earlier this year which left a sour tate in the mouth. So its all aboard the Ashes rollercoaster on TNT from 2.30am tonight.

[Futtocks]

I have just tuned my radio so I'll be waking up next morning to Test Match Special.

To what scenes of carnage, who knows?

[Gerrumonside ref]

It’s ain’t all over until the opening delivery…

[Futtocks]

16 minutes ago, Gerrumonside ref said:

It’s ain’t all over until the opening delivery…

Steve Harmison's recurring nightmare.

[JonM]

Bizarre this stuff with Smith & Monty Panesar. Why would Australia's captain put together a prepared question and answer in response to a comment from someone who hasn't played for England in over a decade?

[Leeds Wire]

Here's how it's going so far: Aussies refuse to play 2 of their main bowlers due to minor injury niggles, while England and Wales name their main bowler in the squad despite being, errr, injured.

Please, please, please make this post come back and bite me firmly on the trumper in 5 tests time.

Edited November 20, 2025 by Leeds Wire

[LeeF]

2 hours ago, Futtocks said:

Steve Harmison's recurring nightmare.

Or Rory Burns’ one against Starc

[hunsletgreenandgold]

Prediction right now - not one of these test matches will reach day 5* because England are going to try and score fast and back their bowlers. It’s the only way to win down there. 
 

*unless there’s rain delays 

[17 stone giant]

43-3. Poor start by England having won the toss and elected to bat. Mitchell Starc bowling brilliantly. Got to dig in now.

[George Watt]

11 hours ago, Maximus Decimus said:

I was in Australia during the series after we'd finally beaten them at home (06/07).

I'll never forget the first ball by Steve whatsisname being the widest ball I've ever seen. It certainly set the tone.

Australia are still slightish favourites but I don't know, I never give us much hope out there. Seems we lose easy more often than we compete.

England overall record playing in Perth.  Won 1 Lost 9 Drawn 3.

Watched Ashes matches at the SCG from the 70's to the 90's and then lost interest and haven't  been since. My dear wife went with me having no interest in cricket and read a book.

[THE RED ROOSTER]

Cricket Australia worried pre- series that the matches will be over in 3-4 days and with a lunchtime score of 4-105 in a funerial 23 overs you can see why.

The drop off when Starc is not bowling is Stark (sic). Crawley got himself out in his usual manner, but good deliveries accounted for Duckett and Root.

Minor recovery between Pope and Brook (as ever playing a few air shots) before Pope overbalanced to the medium pace of Green.

If you win the toss and bat you are aiming for 400 minimum to dictate thr game. Unless someone gets a big score England will end up around 200 which puts a lot of pressure on the bowling attack.

An attack which under Bazball, normally means when you bowl a side out you are back in the field by the field of the day due to England inability to bat for more than 80 odd overs.

Can' t someone persuade Sir Alasdair to drop the mike and jacket, put on the pads and head out to the middle....

[WN83]

Not the best of starts!

We've got what we've deserved with the dismissal of Crawley. If he couldn't work out how to stop edging those booming drives to slip in his first 50 odd tests, I'm not sure how they expected anything different today or in the series.

That Root duck is a real worry as well. He looked nervous and the pressure will build now in terms of his record over there. I think he'll come through it but we'll need him to. 

We need to fight here. We cannot afford to be getting rolled for 170/180. The Indians were out for 150 at Perth in the first innings last year and won, so you never know but this pitch looks fine. 

 

[WN83]

Pathetic stuff

Get Shaun Wane in! 

[Adelaide Tiger]

Well that reyt spoilt me tea!

[GeordieSaint]

1 minute ago, WN83 said:

Pathetic stuff

I was about to say the same…

…appalling.

[THE RED ROOSTER]

There is no defending a batting side rolled over in just 32.5 overs. ( 17.1 overs less than an ODI innings.)

Real pressure on the bowlers here.

[WN83]

26 minutes ago, GeordieSaint said:

I was about to say the same…

…appalling.

Doesn't look easy for the Aussies either, which makes some of the brainless shots towards the end of the innings even more frustrating (plus Crawley's usual effort). Had we got up to 230-250, you'd feel well in the game but at worst the Aussies will grind up to that sort of total. 

Edited November 21, 2025 by WN83

[GeordieSaint]

22 minutes ago, WN83 said:

Doesn't look easy for the Aussies either, which makes some of the brainless shots towards the end of the innings even more frustrating (plus Crawley's usual effort). Had we got up to 230-250, you'd feel well in the game but at worst the Aussies will grind up to that sort of total. 

It’s not. But as TRR highlights, they batted for only 32.5 overs. Appalling application of effort and skill. As you say, brainless.

[graveyard johnny]

tried to watch a bit this morning - ruined by computers and graphic design on acid - confusing cartoons all over the place in a bamboozling  colour explosion every 5 mins - it just isnt cricket 

[WN83]

The Aussies have battled through a tough period and it's now looking easier. 

Rocket science stuff that according to our lot.

[WN83]

I'm claiming that wicket

[The Phantom Horseman]

13 minutes ago, WN83 said:

The Aussies have battled through a tough period and it's now looking easier. 

Rocket science stuff that according to our lot.

Things can change fast in 11 minutes! 30-3, Smith gone.

Edited November 21, 2025 by The Phantom Horseman