Cricket Thread: Ashes 2025-26 Boxing Day Test

[Firewalker]

Inglis last test.

White ball slogger. Never should’ve been picked this test with Cummins coming back from injury, the conditions and the fact he’s shown to be much less accomplished Test player than Webster.

Webster always should’ve replaced him this Test but Inglis is an around the boys selection.

Can’t believe as recently as the 2024 NZ tour there were people (mostly from WA) who wanted Inglis to replace Carey in the test team as well

 

[Cromulant]

If I'm an Australian selector, I'm making 2 changes for the Boxing Day Test.

OUT: Inglis
IN: Smith
** Assumes Smith has recovered from his bout of vertigo

OUT: Green
IN: Webster

Khawaja has earned the right to stay in the team, albeit batting in the middle order.

Very sensible changes. Id even flick Inglis for Webster if Smith isnt well enough.

Inglis just isn't a Test batsman

 

[Vader]

Healy really adds a lot to the commentary team. She is able to offer insights into the inner workings of the Australian team, by virtue of being Starc's wife. But it's not all reflected glory - she's also a highly credentialed player in her own right, being a superstar of the Australian Women's Cricket Team.

Then there's her rapier sharp wit...

 

[Vader]

Very sensible changes. Id even flick Inglis for Webster if Smith isnt well enough.

Inglis just isn't a Test batsman

Tough decision if Smith isn't available. Both Green & Inglis are crying out to be dropped. Could easily go either way, though Green's bowling probably tips the scales in his favour.

 

[Cromulant]

Healy really adds a lot to the commentary team. She is able to offer insights into the inner workings of the Australian team, by virtue of being Starc's wife. But it's not all reflected glory - she's also a highly credentialed player in her own right, being a superstar of the Australian Women's Cricket Team.

Then there's her rapier sharp wit...

And speaks well, much better than Uncle Ian

 

[Cromulant]

Tough decision if Smith isn't available. Both Green & Inglis are crying out to be dropped. Could easily go either way, though Green's bowling probably tips the scales in his favour.

Hes bowled quite well too in patches, if not for that he wouldn't be there

 

[Eagleboy2011]

And then there were 9

 

[Samcro24]

And then there were 9

Need some quick wickets.

The poms only need another 72 to beat South Australia in this test.

 

[Crow-eater]

The Poms would have had their tails up. 6/70 in the morning session, only needed to survive 2 overs to the break, and it was their session.

Ben Duckett

 

[spenze]

Alyssa Healy in fine form in the commentary box, trolling mercilessly.

First ball of her commentary spell, and Mark Howard says that the fans are slow in arriving to the ground. Alyssa quickly responds that the same can be said for the English team (or words to that effect).

Inglis is given out LBW, only for DRS to show that he smashed it. "Great job snicko" she chirps, after all the snicko controversies of the first 3 days.

AJ is really good in the commentary box, really insightful...as you'd expect from a Captain of a national team

 

[Eagleboy2011]

What a catch.

If the Poms had fielders like this, they might still be in the series.

 

[Mostyn]

Very sensible changes. Id even flick Inglis for Webster if Smith isnt well enough.

Inglis just isn't a Test batsman

Isn't Webster really out of form?

 

[Mostyn]

Amazing spell by Lyon - and Carey with an incredible stumping.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Alyssa is a great commentator. Hope they have her on every series

Much, much better than Warner!

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Isn't Webster really out of form?

Huh?

Because he hasn't scored much this series.

 

[Crow-eater]

$30 for tickets tomorrow. Probably a bit pricey, but its not every day you get to see us (potentially) win the Ashes in person.

 

[Interloperer]

This match has simultaneously been great, but also made me glad I said no when family asked if I wanted in on their plan to get tickets/accomodation for every day.

 

[Eagleboy2011]

Not bad crowd figures at the test. C9 news has mentioned its an all time record crowd of over 200k
That day 2 crowd is amazing in that 40c heat

• Day 1 (Wednesday, Dec 17): 56,298
  (New all-time record for any single day of cricket at Adelaide Oval; over 105% of official capacity with adjustments.)
• Day 2 (Thursday, Dec 18): 48,849
• Day 3 (Friday, Dec 19): 53,696
  (Third-highest single-day Test crowd at the venue.)

 

[Cromulant]

AJ is really good in the commentary box, really insightful...as you'd expect from a Captain of a national team

Then youve got Shane Watson on the BBL.... is woeful

 

[spenze]

Then youve got Shane Watson on the BBL.... is woeful

Haven't heard him to be honest but I'd bet there would be some calls for reviews going on.

In sayingn that, I reckon Lanning would be incredibly insightful

 

[StonesThrow]

This match has simultaneously been great, but also made me glad I said no when family asked if I wanted in on their plan to get tickets/accomodation for every day.

Friday was bloody hard work just sitting on a chair. Never again if it's 40

 

[StonesThrow]

Isn't it weird that England have already come out and said they've lost the test? I know it's highly unlikely, but a weird thing to say when your team mates are still batting.

 

[Eagleboy2011]

Go away rain

 

[Mostyn]

Huh?

Because he hasn't scored much this series.

Because he hasn't scored much in months at any level of cricket.

I think we move Green to 7. The obsession with him up the order should change. Let him settle somewhere

 

[Vader]

Huh?

Because he hasn't scored much this series.

Webster has only scored 38 runs from 2 Sheffield Shield matches (4 innings) so far this season.

He hasn't played at all since the start of the Test series, as he's been on National Team duty, without actually getting a game. That's the curse of the 12th man - close to the Australian team, but never having the opportunity to play at Shield level to press the case for selection when an opportunity arises.