Analysis The Ashes 2025/26

[Dump Truck]

Did Marnus just take one of the worst wickets of all time?

 

[Purpletown]

Did Marnus just take one of the worst wickets of all time?

That wicket of Marnus' would certainly be in the frame for the worst wicket for a while.

Jamie Smith seems to be unable to resist anything short so perhaps a degree of good planning by Australia.

 

[Purple_Turtle]

Would be nice to have a spin bowler....

 

[Snuffaluphagus]

I remain bemused Australian pacers on Australian decks let Weatherald average over 50 for an entire shield season when he has such an easily exploitable flaw.

Whether he's shown it at test level or not, Cam Green is the best batting talent under 30 in the country as it stands. It'd be a shame if he never puts it all together but averaging 30-35 as an all rounder isnt a bad player in this day and age, its just not the "he who was promised" levels.

Theres no generational talents hiding in the shed to bring in either unless one of about 5 promising young guys suddenly figure it all out overnight.

 

[Snuffaluphagus]

Absolute puss from England

 

[Paracleet]

Dross, Pies, Rubbish, Slop, Cafeteria Bowling, take your pick.

I almost feel angry on Englands behalf.

Almost.

 

[MadDocker]

Marnus bottled it so bad....

 

[stax on the mull]

Green is probably going to bat at No 8 again in this innings like the 2nd innings of the Melbourne test. Webster at No 9.

 

[Paracleet]

Green is probably going to bat at No 8 again in this innings like the 2nd innings of the Melbourne test. Webster at No 9.

Pretty long batting order for the poms to have only removed 2 of so far on what is a pretty reasonable batting deck (not to mention bleeding 5 an over).

They are going to need a real stand out performance from someone with the ball tomorrow or the game will be gone.

 

[Eski3]

Marnus bottled it so bad....

Important partnership he had though. We've got no excuses to not finish this innings with a lead now

 

[Docker82]

Pretty long batting order for the poms to have only removed 2 of so far on what is a pretty reasonable batting deck (not to mention bleeding 5 an over).

They are going to need a real stand out performance from someone with the ball tomorrow or the game will be gone.

I can see the arguments to the contrary but I like having a night watchman remaining that can actually bat a fair bit.

On this wicket Neser might be able to make some decent runs before Smith takes over. That's different to Boland who doesn't really have the shots to do so.

 

[Spirit Level]

I remain bemused Australian pacers on Australian decks let Weatherald average over 50 for an entire shield season when he has such an easily exploitable flaw.

Whether he's shown it at test level or not, Cam Green is the best batting talent under 30 in the country as it stands. It'd be a shame if he never puts it all together but averaging 30-35 as an all rounder isnt a bad player in this day and age, its just not the "he who was promised" levels.

Theres no generational talents hiding in the shed to bring in either unless one of about 5 promising young guys suddenly figure it all out overnight.

He needs to give up the bowling an focus on being the best batsman he can.

We have enough bowling talent coming through IMO

 

[Docker82]

I remain bemused Australian pacers on Australian decks let Weatherald average over 50 for an entire shield season when he has such an easily exploitable flaw.

Whether he's shown it at test level or not, Cam Green is the best batting talent under 30 in the country as it stands. It'd be a shame if he never puts it all together but averaging 30-35 as an all rounder isnt a bad player in this day and age, its just not the "he who was promised" levels.

Theres no generational talents hiding in the shed to bring in either unless one of about 5 promising young guys suddenly figure it all out overnight.

Steve Smith was 24 before he scored his first century. If he's not a generational talent I don't know who is. Michael Clarke was 23.

Thing is most of the most promising batters in Australia are a few years off that.

Question for George Bailey is whether he picks the above average shield player aged between 28-32 he knows isn't test standard or accept even less from a youngster he knows isn't ready in hope that said player becomes a gun in a few years time. Either scenario he'll get critised and probably be a scapegoat for something realistically outside his control IMO.

 

[anchor man]

He needs to give up the bowling an focus on being the best batsman he can.

We have enough bowling talent coming through IMO

Said before, many times, let him bowl the type of craft he had when he broke into shield and test.
The selectors and skippers are crucifying him by instructing to bowl crap short.
It is not his way. They are crucifying him batting and bowling wise.

 

[anchor man]

Marnus allowed himself to be sucked in. Treat Stokes with disdain, don't exchange with him
He left a big ton out the with stupidity.

 

[BigRang]

Steve Smith was 24 before he scored his first century. If he's not a generational talent I don't know who is. Michael Clarke was 23.

Thing is most of the most promising batters in Australia are a few years off that.

Question for George Bailey is whether he picks the above average shield player aged between 28-32 he knows isn't test standard or accept even less from a youngster he knows isn't ready in hope that said player becomes a gun in a few years time. Either scenario he'll get critised and probably be a scapegoat for something realistically outside his control IMO.

Pretty sure Steve Smith debuted as a leggie, we just need to find another one of them

 

[freoextra]

Pretty sure Steve Smith debuted as a leggie, we just need to find another one of them

He did, but the spin bowling didn’t last long. Pity we could use it now.

 

[Docker82]

Pretty sure Steve Smith debuted as a leggie, we just need to find another one of them

True but that lasted maybe two test matches before it was binned. Reckon he's been picked in the top six every test match he's played since and pretty much never without a specialist spinner picked (until the last six months)

In shield cricket he was always a top six batter and part time spinner. His shield batting stats were pretty good from very early on - better than any of the youngsters coming through now. His bowling stats were never close to justifying test selection.

We were beyond desperate for a spinner at the time and tried to turn him into one but Smith ever being bowler is somewhat of a myth tbh.

 

[stax on the mull]

Poms using up their last 2 reviews to the 3rd ump on turned down appeals against Neser. Obviously desperate to save those extra 10-20 runs more he was likely get if they couldn't get him out cheaply.

 

[nurries]

Poms using up their last 2 reviews to the 3rd ump on turned down appeals against Neser. Obviously desperate to save those extra 10-20 runs more he was likely get if they couldn't get him out cheaply.

So no reviews left and dropped catches. Its going to be a long day for them. Head is lucky to still be there but its also bad cricket by the Poms.

 

[Joao]

Poms using up their last 2 reviews to the 3rd ump on turned down appeals against Neser. Obviously desperate to save those extra 10-20 runs more he was likely get if they couldn't get him out cheaply.

TBF, Neser does have 5 more FC tons than England's number 3.

 

[Nothing]

Head is developing a massive problem. Keeps getting out between 150 and 175. If it continues, I can see opposition bowlers targeting him.

 

[Nothing]

Smith (of the Steve variety) moves past the Jamie variety for most runs in the series.

 

[nurries]

Head is developing a massive problem. Keeps getting out between 150 and 175. If it continues, I can see opposition bowlers targeting him.

I think the bowlers will have the problem if they let Head get between 150 and 175.

 

[Taylor]

It looks like Head gets bored, or grew up with his dad coaching and retiring him after he made 100.