Test The Ashes Fourth Test December 26-30 1000hrs @ The MCG

[RussellEbertHandball]

This forum has discussed several times how poor Oz's top order has been since the end of the 2023 ashes series. There were 18 tests between 2023 ashes series and this 2025-26 series and Oz managed to win 14 of those tests ( lost 3, drawn 1) mainly thanks to the lower order producing runs and mainly the world class bowling quartet bowling out the oppo cheaply.

The top order has regularly been 4 down for bugger all. This series the results are as follows in the table below. Lets hope the last 6 wickets put on 200+ like in the Gabba and Adelaide Oval and not 101 like at Perth Stadium.

Edit updated for today's play

All out		132	2/205	511	2/69.	371	349	152
4 for		31		291		94	149	51
5 for		76		292		185	311	89
6 for		83		329		244	329	91
Last 6 wickets		101		220		277	200	101
Last 5 wickets		56		219		186	38	63
Last 4 wickets		49		182		127	20	61

 

[eddiesmith]

Its sold out. I am a member and when we got tickets in October, not much left day one and two.

Yet there’s empty seats everywhere

 

[Pakenhamsaint]

Yet there’s empty seats everywhere

Its as if they spend the day in the bars or something

 

[Around the Wicket]

Think we will go with 2 spinners for Sydney?

lol doubt it, selectors clearly not rating spin atm, if you need 5 quicks to bowl a side out, give up.

 

[BGman]

4 poles for a resurgent England this morning. Fair play Poms!

Best I've seen Tongue bowl on this tour. Ripper yorker to remove our legend.

Thankfully we have a stronger tail with three of the four averaging @20 plus.

 

[Around the Wicket]

how do you call someone a generational talent when he hasn't got results yet lol

 

[Around the Wicket]

he might come good time to tell but he shouldn't be anywhere near a England side until he does something at FC level.

 

[Bucking Beads]

What the **** was Smith doing though? Rubbish shot.

 

[rdhopkins2]

Off for luncheon, dear chaps.
Now what shall I have?
Spotted Dick?
Mr Brain’s ******s?
Toad In The Hole?
Maids of Honour?
Devilled Eggs?
Or Plum As An English Bat Pudding?

 

[Pakenhamsaint]

Off for luncheon, dear chaps.
Now what shall I have?
Spotted Dick?
Mr Brain’s ******s?
Toad In The Hole?
Maids of Honour?
Devilled Eggs?
Or Plum As An English Bat Pudding?

Beef Wellington

 

[rdhopkins2]

Beef Wellington

The exotic mushroom version?

 

[Gough]

Off for luncheon, dear chaps.
Now what shall I have?
Spotted Dick?
Mr Brain’s ******s?
Toad In The Hole?
Maids of Honour?
Devilled Eggs?
Or Plum As An English Bat Pudding?

Best Bitter, gin and smokes.

 

[Linda Lovelace]

how do you call someone a generational talent when he hasn't got results yet lol

Because being a complete suckass over the right players is how you thrive in the Australian cricket ecosystem.

 

[Pakenhamsaint]

The exotic mushroom version?

Naturally. One on a different coloured plate too

 

[sherb]

Centenary Test in 1977 - Australia 138, England in reply, all out for 95.

The thing was, Liz was due to meet the players during the Day 5 tea break and after the first two innings no-one thought the match was going to last that long.

One of the greatest Test matches ever. It had everything.

 

[Coasters7]

Have to disagree.

Head's cut shot was an attacking shot. Unlucky to drag it on but his dismisal had nothing to do with the pitch. You would think he would've learnt his lesson after almost doing the same thing in the first over.

Marnus got out playing a drive. Certainly wasn't a defensive shot.

Weatherald wasn't playing a defensive shot either. Played well outside his line trying to score. Not exactly Bazball but entirely unnecessary.

And now Smith.

Always looks bad when you get out but all those balls were there to hit.

People expecting Weatherald to leave a half volley down legside? Come on now. Same with Trav. Hit the previous over for 15 and we’re annoyed that he tried to put another garbage delivery to the fence.

Can’t just stay in all day under pressure. “Putting the bad balls away” also usually means you get out to those same balls.

 

[Zgope1]

What the **** was Smith doing though? Rubbish shot.

egh. he copped a jaffer. it was one of those pills that looked very overpitched but just turfed short enough that the deviation ripped through his gate. He and Marnus both got lured by very nice full of a length balls and most good batters will go out to

 

[cats_09]

The MCG L1 concourse is significantly crazier than I can remember seeing it at other major events - that includes GFs, Men's ODI WC final and the Women's T20 final

 

[Pistol Night]

Off for luncheon, dear chaps.
Now what shall I have?
Spotted Dick?
Mr Brain’s ******s?
Toad In The Hole?
Maids of Honour?
Devilled Eggs?
Or Plum As An English Bat Pudding?

I used to hear “bread and butter pudding” when I was a whipper snapper and think “How poor are these Pommy campaigners”

 

[cats_09]

Perth has shown us we can defend a low score. Would be a good result if these 2 can get close to somewhere between 150-200.

As a partnership?

 

[Lunchtime]

What the **** was Smith doing though? Rubbish shot.

Not surprised though.

 

[satty]

Beef Wellington

The exotic mushroom version?

It is a heavenly dish. One bite and it is off to have supper with Jesus Christ

 

[sherb]

Always looks bad when you get out but all those balls were there to hit.

People expecting Weatherald to leave a half volley down legside? Come on now. Same with Trav. Hit the previous over for 15 and we’re annoyed that he tried to put another garbage delivery to the fence.

Can’t just stay in all day under pressure. “Putting the bad balls away” also usually means you get out to those same balls.

The ball was far too close to him for Head to attempt that shot. It certainly wasn't a garbage delivery.

If anything, the previous over going for 15 allowed for the two of them to be a little circumspect for an over or two.

 

[philreich]

The thing was, Liz was due to meet the players during the Day 5 tea break and after the first two innings no-one thought the match was going to last that long.

One of the greatest Test matches ever. It had everything.

You'd like to think that the one in 15 months from now will be half as good - we'll see.

 

[sherb]

You'd like to think that the one in 15 months from now will be half as good - we'll see.

They played another one in England in 1980 but that ended up being pretty tame in comparison to the 1977 Test.