The Ashes | 2025-26 | 5 tests | Nov 21 to Jan 08 | Discussion Thread

[Gollum]

From a cricketing viewpoint, Ashes has never been the biggest contest since 50s/60s. 

 

1975-76 WI tour of Aus was seen as the world championship of cricket. Though WI lost that one badly, the way they came back and terrorized Aussies throughout 80s made even early-mid 90s Aus/WI clashes leagues above Ashes.

 

Then throughout late 90s to mid 2010s it was RSA vs Aus, with India also shining in between. 

 

Post that, BGT all the way. Mabye next 3-4 years, RSA will once again pose the biggest challenge to Aus. 

 

Aussie fans understand this. 

Edited December 18, 2025 by Gollum

[Tillu]

7 minutes ago, Gollum said:

Saw many shows in buildup to Ashes. Most Aus fans (and all their experts like Kimber, Lemon) said they rate their rivalry against India above Ashes. Many even said that they looked forward to the BGT series last year more than this Ashes. 

 

This hype is mainly from one side, England. Because they have nothing to show apart from this marquee series, they think being mentioned in the same breath as the GOAT cricket nation somehow elevates them above others. Also jealous Pooks will also hype this series because they can't fathom seeing how sabka baap Aussies think of Indians as their peers.

 

Yeah in many ways, the Ashes record is similar to our ICC and Asia Cup record against the P@kies. That's why these P@ki losers keep supporting the English team. It's a one sided rivalry.

Edited December 18, 2025 by Tillu

[Lone Wolf]

18 minutes ago, Gollum said:

Only RSA and India have taken the fight to Aussies in their backyard this century. 

 

Eng since their 2010-11 series win

 

0-5

0-4

0-4 (unconvincing, lucky draw in between)

Another phainta loading this time, good chance of 0-5 again

 

You disappointed @Lone Wolf?

Extremely poor performance. Australia seems to have raised their game but nothing justifies letting washed up folks like Khwaja scoring runs here.

 

MCG test will be even more tough for them.

 

They have a chance in SCG

[Suhaan]

9 minutes ago, rollingstoned said:

Despite myriad issues both batting and bowling we fought better in the last series. A draw was there for the taking. 

And considering we had GG that means alot

[Lone Wolf]

1 minute ago, Gollum said:

From a cricketing viewpoint, Ashes has never been the biggest contest since 50s/60s. 

 

1975-76 WI tour of Aus was seen as the world championship of cricket. Though WI lost that one badly, the way they came back and terrorized Aussies throughout 80s made even early-mid 90s Aus/WI clashes leagues above Ashes.

 

Then throughout late 90s to mid 2010s it was RSA vs Aus, with India also shining in between. 

 

Post that, BGT all the way. Mabye next 3-4 years, RSA will once again pose the biggest challenge to Aus. 

 

Aussie fans understand this. 

SA v Aus will be a blockbuster series next year 

[Gollum]

Just now, Lone Wolf said:

Extremely poor performance. Australia seems to have raised their game but nothing justifies letting washed up folks like Khwaja scoring runs here.

 

MCG test will be even more tough for them.

 

They have a chance in SCG

Doesn't matter what happens if they lose here. 

 

If the series is decided before Boxing day test, it is a disgrace really.

 

Even we kept the series alive till final day of SCG. 

[Suhaan]

2 minutes ago, Tillu said:

That's why these P@ki losers keep supporting the English team.

No,England are their unofficial colony now

[vvvslaxman]

I don't think there is no better athlete than Starc when it comes to fast bowling. His first ball was 144 kph. Most recent one was 147 kph. He hardly  loses pace

[Gollum]

Just now, Lone Wolf said:

SA v Aus will be a blockbuster series next year 

Yes, the biggest clash of this WTC cycle. 3 tests too less IMO, deserves a 4 or 5 test series. 

[Lone Wolf]

Just now, Gollum said:

Yes, the biggest clash of this WTC cycle. 3 tests too less IMO, deserves a 4 or 5 test series. 

Reckon 3 Tests are enough to gauge strength of a side. Not a massive fan of 5 test series.

3 Test let your best players battle it out.

 

 

[rollingstoned]

3 minutes ago, Gollum said:

From a cricketing viewpoint, Ashes has never been the biggest contest since 50s/60s. 

 

1975-76 WI tour of Aus was seen as the world championship of cricket. Though WI lost that one badly, the way they came back and terrorized Aussies throughout 80s made even early-mid 90s Aus/WI clashes leagues above Ashes.

 

Then throughout late 90s to mid 2010s it was RSA vs Aus, with India also shining in between. 

 

Post that, BGT all the way. Mabye next 3-4 years, RSA will once again pose the biggest challenge to Aus. 

 

Aussie fans understand this. 

Ashes in Australia have been quite one sided. Close contests in England have been ATG level ie 2005 and 2019. 

Best Ashes test in aus I remember is from 98/99 where England defended a low total. 

AUS v ENG, 4th Test
ENG 270 & 244
AUS 340 & 162
England won by 12 runs

Click here to view more : http://www.cricbuzz.com/live-cricket-scores/6288/aus-vs-eng-4th-test-england-in-australia-1998-99

[Lone Wolf]

4 minutes ago, Gollum said:

Doesn't matter what happens if they lose here. 

 

If the series is decided before Boxing day test, it is a disgrace really.

 

Even we kept the series alive till final day of SCG. 

Baz is surely gone post this debacle.  Stokes will hang on.  

[Suhaan]

3 minutes ago, vvvslaxman said:

I don't think there is no better athlete than Starc when it comes to fast bowling. His first ball was 144 kph. Most recent one was 147 kph. He hardly  loses pace

Naah,speed guns doesn't seem alright

He rarely bowls over 140+ in brief spells now

Even Cummins gets back and clocked 145 here after injury,who rarely goes over 138-140 in tests

[Lone Wolf]

1 minute ago, Suhaan said:

Naah,speed guns doesn't seem alright

He rarely bowls over 140+ in brief spells now

Even Cummins gets back and clocked 145 here after injury,who rarely goes over 138-140 in tests

Cummins has been well rested.  He even in IPL goes over 147-148ks when he goes full throttle.

This is still Ashes.. they are bound to give little extra here.

[Suhaan]

Archer has done what other English batters should have ,runs are there,only needed to bat sensibly

[Suhaan]

1 minute ago, Lone Wolf said:

Cummins has been well rested.  He even in IPL goes over 147-148ks when he goes full throttle.

This is still Ashes.. they are bound to give little extra here.

No,red cball cricket you rarely see Cummins go over 140s that too he used to do good 3-4 years ago not now,

Same for Starc,it's over 40 degrees and Starc isn't clocking 145+ delivery after delivery

Just today he has clocked almost 5-6 overs averaging 145+

[vvvslaxman]

Vaughan is insufferable still lol He is talking about chasing big total in 4th innigns. 

[Suhaan]

Just now, vvvslaxman said:

Vaughan is insufferable still lol He is talking about chasing big total in 4th innigns. 

He needs Rehman Dakait sitting besides him in the comm box

[vvvslaxman]

Nobody bowls yorkers to Archer. I guess they are tired.

[vvvslaxman]

Alyssa Healy is putting Vaughan firmly in place every time he talks "bazball this bazball that"