Test The Ashes Fifth Test January 4-8 1000hrs @ The SCG

[Moonwatcher]

Just like the tea break. Umpires making up rules as they go. They could have kept playing for 5 more balls, it was just “easier” to call stumps.

Don't we complain when they're not flexible enough?

 

[Grumpyshades]

Stokes loves a good head shake

still trying to convince everyone he wasn't out when he smashed the cover off it

biggest flog in world cricket

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Just beyond belief this shit. Bowler getting injured as a ****ing nightwatchmen.

In the age of professionalism in 2025 how are we still doing this shit? You’re an elite batsman on the world stage, get out there and ****ing bat. How can facing four overs be beneath you? It’s your ****ing job.

What would you rather a bowler down when we have 5….or losing Smith an over before stumps through dumbness of batting him. I know what I’m choosing.

He’ll be fine anyway

 

[kickazz]

Yeah I don't like Stokes touching Marnus

Yeah he should have gone back harder.

 

[GreekLunatic]

Ben Stokes cracking. Again.

He doesn't have the temperament for captaincy. from someone on Facebook apart form one good score and one 5 wicket haul that's all stokes has been good for

 

[zyzzbruh]

Just beyond belief this shit. Bowler getting injured as a ****ing nightwatchmen.

In the age of professionalism in 2025 how are we still doing this shit? You’re an elite batsman on the world stage, get out there and ****ing bat. How can facing four overs be beneath you? It’s your ****ing job.

Not to mention the bowler who got injured is a better batsman than half our top order.

Pissing in Neser's pocket since day one, bloke is class and should've had a hefty test career.

 

[ams4crows]

Well that was an excellent day of Test cricket well done everyone

 

[BGman]

Marnus Labuchange you have put us in a spot by letting Stokes get into your head. We needed you fresh tomorrow morning. Meanwhile Trav goes on his merry way mixing loose play with spanking cuts and drives. He seems impervious to pressure.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Blame him anyway. F#cking moron and f#cking terrible way to get out.

Unfortunately so typical of Marnus these days just so many dumb ways to get out.

I want him to score runs as we literally have no other options at 3 that are ready. Yet he keeps being dumb

 

[SSwans2011]

Unfortunately so typical of Marnus these days just so many dumb ways to get out.

I want him to score runs as we literally have no other options at 3 that are ready. Yet he keeps being dumb

I'd be tempted to give McSweeney a go at 3. But I think it's more likely that with Khawaja retiring and neither Inglis or Weatherald looking any good this series that we persist with him until we're closer to a more set XI.

Lots of time and Shield cricket before the next Test anyway.

 

[Moonwatcher]

Stumps day 2 and we have no idea who is in front

 

[Moonwatcher]

Or even if 5 days will be enough.

 

[Xtreme]

Just beyond belief this shit. Bowler getting injured as a ****ing nightwatchmen.

In the age of professionalism in 2025 how are we still doing this shit? You’re an elite batsman on the world stage, get out there and ****ing bat. How can facing four overs be beneath you? It’s your ****ing job.

Shows how fearful batsmen are, go out there and face the music!

They should be able to bat in any conditions, be it first over or last over of the day.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

I'd be tempted to give McSweeney a go at 3. But I think it's more likely that with Khawaja retiring and neither Inglis or Weatherald looking any good this series that we persist with him until we're closer to a more set XI.

Lots of time and Shield cricket before the next Test anyway.

Look he’d be the option I’d rather start him at 5 though it’s why marnus in form is important.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Stumps day 2 and we have no idea who is in front

Even Steven’s but I’d rather be us than them only 200 behind basically is not a lot

 

[ams4crows]

We would be so stuffed without Travis Head, he is our beacon of hope.

 

[Moonwatcher]

only 200 behind basically is not a lot

For 2 good sides.

 

[PhatBoy]

Remind me why we have to bat in the dark but not England?

I dare say given the situation at the time and what happened afterwards it should be England whinging about that and not Australia given what was happening at the time: not really sure why you’re whinging about it

 

[Moonwatcher]

Now I want day 3 to start.

 

[PhatBoy]

Born in NZ, now English. Has no chance of anything else...

Or he just studied hours of tapes of Glenn McGrath after his (admittedly infrequent) unsuccessful overs. Or his (more frequent) unsuccessful batting sojourns

 

[the_interloper]

I reckon we could do worse than open with Boland and Neser tbh. Really rate Neser's technique, there's no real bunnies anymore but he's very balanced, keeps his head still, does a lot right.

 

[RightWingRoo]

Fck me , just had a look at our future tours , boy do we have a brutal schedule 2026- 2027 test schedule.

View attachment 2505380
The above schedule doesn't include the 5 ashes tests after the Bangladesh tour.

Cummins , starc and Hazelwood will not be able to play every single test.

Our test depth is going to get pushed to the absolute limit .

We are going to need all our bowlers and batters in the shield to lift their game and start putting their hands up for selection as it will be an all hands on deck situation to get through each series .

Been a few changes to that program.
No test against Afghanistan and the Bangladesh tour has been brought forward to August this year. We have 4 tests against the Kiwis instead of 3 and there's the 150 year anniversary test against the Poms at the G in March 2027.

 

[KennyHuntersBlues]

I'm not sure, but I'm sad at this.

Hayden already in advanced planning to fill the bays with "The 'Dos" next summer
Just gigantic hats everywhere

I’d like to see a bay of Bill Lawrys
Everyone with a big fake nose and a pigeon on their shoulder
Every time there’s a wicket shouting “Got Him, Yes ! “

 

[sabso]

I’d like to see a bay of Bill Lawrys
Everyone with a big fake nose and a pigeon on their shoulder
Every time there’s a wicket shouting “Got Him, Yes ! “

There used to be a slew of Richies at any given test. Would love this and would love Bill to see it.

 

[Snarls Barkley]

Pretty good day, Marnus late dismissal stopped it from being a very good day

I don’t know what you do with Marnus, seems to think it’s job done after he gets a start and gets complacent. I know he had more than his fair share of luck when he was really dominating but he seemed to have a much higher desire to score and score big. He’s our third leading runscorer for the series but don’t think I can give him a passing grade for his batting in the series

They are reluctant to make a change at the best of times. Ussie is already retiring, Green has been five times worse, Weatherald doesn’t look up to the grade and Inglis didn’t really set the world alight in the chances he got. I don’t know how they fix these batting issues, there is legit three guys in the country we can trust. God forbid Travis Head has a poor run of form. He looked good for most of his innings today, you know they’ll keep giving him games but it’s hard to see where or how he turns things around again