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

[AKane]

12 minutes ago, Lord said:

Why does SR matter in Tests. He's still there while others went cheaply

At what point does a SR become a negative in tests? At the point where the entire responsibility of scoring is left on the other partner. You still have to make runs as England is still 158 behind. 

 

You could argue that not scoring anything and playing for the draw is the way to play test cricket. But playing like Stokes has been playing is not going to win you games. And playing for the draw will still keep you 0-2 in the series.

[Lord]

4 minutes ago, AKane said:

At what point does a SR become a negative in tests? At the point where the entire responsibility of scoring is left on the other partner. You still have to make runs as England is still 158 behind. 

 

You could argue that not scoring anything and playing for the draw is the way to play test cricket. But playing like Stokes has been playing is not going to win you games. And playing for the draw will still keep you 0-2 in the series.

 

He can change gears when things become easier.

[Serpico]

2 minutes ago, Lord said:

 

He can change gears when things become easier.

He's the only player from England side that is actually tiring aussie bowlers ouy

[AKane]

33 minutes ago, Lord said:

 

He can change gears when things become easier.

8 wickets have fallen - Jofra is doing the scoring ..... so he is waiting for the 9th wicket to fall? That is when things become easier?

[AKane]

30 minutes ago, Serpico said:

He's the only player from England side that is actually tiring aussie bowlers ouy

Er - Australian bowlers do not get tired after bowling 68 overs.... and btw 8 wickets have fallen and the inning is about to end.

[Lord]

9 minutes ago, AKane said:

8 wickets have fallen - Jofra is doing the scoring ..... so he is waiting for the 9th wicket to fall? That is when things become easier?

 

Wickets are due to 'bazball'.  He might start attacking today

[lemsip]

41 minutes ago, Serpico said:

He's the only player from England side that is actually tiring aussie bowlers ouy

Aussies have a 5 man attack, 2 of whom coming back from a long rest. They are also bowling in familiar home conditions.

Tiredness is not an issue here

[vvvslaxman]

Australia is struggling against tail again. Cummins is bowling at 126 kph. 

[vvvslaxman]

What the heck happeend to cricinfo

 

[AKane]

How did Weatherald make the Aus test team?

 

Compare the top 7 of Aus in the past and this team

 

Ian Redpath                                   Justin Langer                                Travis Head

Rick McCosker                              Matthew Hayden                           Jake Weatherald

Ian Chappell                                   Ricky Ponting                                Marnus Labuschagne

Greg Chappell                                Damien Martyn                              Usman Khawaja

Doug Walters                                 Steve Waugh                                  Cameron Green

Ross Edwards                                Simon Katich                                   Alex Carey  

Rod Marsh                                      Adam Gilchrist                                Josh Inglis

 

What more does this England want in terms of Aus batting opposition? It is not going to get better than this.....

Gotta beat this Aus team.

 

I mean if the batting is not bad enough here are the bowlers age wise

 

Pat Cummins            32 years old

Mitchell Starc            35 years old

Scott Boland              36 years old

Nathan Lyon               38 years old

 

You have to beat this attack. What more do you want?

[Nikola]

England needs to restrict Australia under 250 and they have decent chance to chase around 330 to 350 here.

[Lord]

45 minutes ago, AKane said:

How did Weatherald make the Aus test team?

 

Compare the top 7 of Aus in the past and this team

 

Ian Redpath                                   Justin Langer                                Travis Head

Rick McCosker                              Matthew Hayden                           Jake Weatherald

Ian Chappell                                   Ricky Ponting                                Marnus Labuschagne

Greg Chappell                                Damien Martyn                              Usman Khawaja

Doug Walters                                 Steve Waugh                                  Cameron Green

Ross Edwards                                Simon Katich                                   Alex Carey  

Rod Marsh                                      Adam Gilchrist                                Josh Inglis

 

What more does this England want in terms of Aus batting opposition? It is not going to get better than this.....

Gotta beat this Aus team.

 

I mean if the batting is not bad enough here are the bowlers age wise

 

Pat Cummins            32 years old

Mitchell Starc            35 years old

Scott Boland              36 years old

Nathan Lyon               38 years old

 

You have to beat this attack. What more do you want?

 

no Smith here, no Hazlewood all series, won't get better chance. 

[figo6762]

Can will jacks get a 5 fr against the current Indian batting line up ? 

[rollingstoned]

Weatherald non review is a shocker. Even with naked eye it looked not out. 

[Lord]

Head is gold in such situations

[Lord]

18 minutes ago, rollingstoned said:

Weatherald non review is a shocker. Even with naked eye it looked not out. 

new guy got nervous.

[Gollum]

Khawaja has been revived from the dead by these useless Poms. Head, hope he explodes. 

[Gollum]

Smith has missed easy 200 runs here. Flattest pitch in my memory of recent Aus hosted Ashes. This is a 500 1st innings deck...even our youngsters would have plundered bowling attacks here. Archer's smooth 50 is a clear indicator of the nature of this surface.

Edited December 19, 2025 by Gollum

[vvvslaxman]

 They are trying to bounce out Head by having 6 fielders on the onside similar to what they did with Washi at the oval. Head and Khawaja look uncomfortable. when the ball comes at armpit.

[Lord]

Head smashes Tongue