Ashes 2025/6

[MN5]

@Virgil said in Ashes 2025/6:

England have made just the 1 change for the 3rd test.
Decided against changes to the batting order (bringing in Bethell etc)

England XI:
1 Zak Crawley, 2 Ben Duckett, 3 Ollie Pope, 4 Joe Root, 5 Harry Brook, 6 Ben Stokes (capt), 7 Jamie Smith (wk), 8 Will Jacks, 9 Brydon Carse, 10 Jofra Archer, 11 Josh Tongue.

Great call, Bazball will work eventually and McCullum and Stokes can say "told you so"

Seriously, I hope it does work, would be nice to go into the boxing day test with the series still alive.

[Virgil]

Big last minute change, appears Steve Smith has pulled out of the test due to illness. Khawaja likely to replace him

[MN5]

@Virgil said in Ashes 2025/6:

Big last minute change, appears Steve Smith has pulled out of the test due to illness. Khawaja likely to replace him

I hope his back is up to it.

[Duluth]

1 Jake Weatherald, 2 Travis Head, 3 Marnus Labuschagne, 4 Usman Khawaja, 5 Cameron Green, 6 Alex Carey (wk), 7 Josh Inglis, 8 Pat Cummins (capt), 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Scott Boland

[No Quarter]

Archer has started very well, can he maintain it though is the question. Carse has been pretty wayward, but both have a wicket each now and a Smith-less Aus batting lineup will be under some big pressure.

[No Quarter]

Geriatric Waj at the crease now, let's hope he doesn't put a hip out as well

[MN5]

@No-Quarter said in Ashes 2025/6:

Geriatric Waj at the crease now, let's hope he doesn't put a hip out as well

Turns 39 tomorrow. I wonder if he'll still be batting then ?

[No Quarter]

Dropped catches at crucial times is killing England this series

[Chris B.]

@No-Quarter said in Ashes 2025/6:

Dropped catches at crucial times is killing England this series

Should've had the Waj for 5 and 51/3 - which would have had England well on top on what's likely going to be a pretty benign pitch for much of the match.

[Donsteppa]

They look very much like bowling Usman back into form.

[Donsteppa]

And Jacks is cannon fodder.

[Donsteppa]

Bus change throws his wicket away first ball after lunch.

[No Quarter]

Absurd shot from Champagne lol, Archer with his 2nd

[nzzp]

@No-Quarter said in Ashes 2025/6:

Absurd shot from Champagne lol, Archer with his 2nd

got big on him. Hard after a break.

[Donsteppa]

And now Green too busy thinking about his T20 earnings plays an equally lazy shot.

[nzzp]

@Donsteppa said in Ashes 2025/6:

And now Green too busy thinking about his T20 earnings plays an equally lazy shot.

game on!

[Donsteppa]

Poor focus from Australia. Phoning it in after lunch.

[nzzp]

Far out. Jacks is a mediocre offspinner who's just getting belted. Poor selection and being treated disdainfully by the Aussies.

[MN5]

@nzzp said in Ashes 2025/6:

Far out. Jacks is a mediocre offspinner who's just getting belted. Poor selection and being treated disdainfully by the Aussies.

Basically an English Michael Bracewell. I wonder if they call him beast too ?

First class bowling average of 42 with less wickets than matches.

Kind of a specialist number 8 batsman who bowls a bit ?

[No Quarter]

Waj gets himself out to Jacks of all people. They will take 82 runs from him though!!