OT Ashes 2025-26

[Geoff Parkstone]

May as well start a new thread for this one about to start. A few thoughts:

Who is going to win, what score?

Should Steve Smith be allowed to captain the Australian side?

How long will it be before Mark Wood breaks down again? or Jofra?

Who will be England "MVP" (if anyone)?

For what its worth, my answers are. 1-2 to Australia; definitely NO; Wood may play in 2 matches, Archer 4; the obvious answer is Joe Root but I'm going with left field choice of Zak Crawley.

|we need to make the most of Cummins and Hazelwood being out of the first test and win in Perth. After that it will hget more difficult

[ramAnag]

Australia 3-1.
Suppose so…served over six of his ‘at least 2 year’ ban.
Wood to play 2. Archer 3. If Woody somehow remains fit and available I’ll rethink Q1.
Harry Brook.

[Andy_Faber]

Australia
5-0
Yes
First test
Root

[macstheman]

Won't predict final outcome but Aussie faves imo.

Will Rooty finally get a ton down under?? I reckon he needs to score big for us to have a chance, my confidence in the other batters ain't high.

As for the bowlers, attack looks decent on paper but too many injury prone bowlers is the big concern.

Stokesy could hold the key both as a batter and bowler to the chances of success but question marks must remain over his fitness for a tough series.

It's winter over here but there'll be plenty of sledging down under!

[SithHappens]

Who's playing? 🤪

[Geoff Parkstone]

Well thats was an unexpected comeback

[ramAnag]

Well thats was an unexpected comeback

Indeed. Wouldn’t want tickets for the fourth and fifth days. See your tips, Crawley and Root did well.
JR with something to prove tomorrow hopefully.

[Geoff Parkstone]

If he needs to bat....

[ramAnag]

If he needs to bat....

He really did…and he didn’t. Shocking surrender all round.

[macstheman]

From a reasonable position to humiliation in a couple of hours...........well it is good old England.😡
I think Andy's whitewash looks fave now.
Over and done with in 2 days at least means we have a bigger break before the next load of crap from our so called 'batters'!
As as said I felt Root and Stokes were v ital to our batting as I had little confidence in the rest..........that's not looking too promising!

[Geoff Parkstone]

Let's try and take some positives from it, I won't be tempted to wake up at 3am and listen on radio again

[Andy_Faber]

From a reasonable position to humiliation in a couple of hours...........well it is good old England.😡
I think Andy's whitewash looks fave now.
Over and done with in 2 days at least means we have a bigger break before the next load of crap from our so called 'batters'!
As as said I felt Root and Stokes were v ital to our batting as I had little confidence in the rest..........that's not looking too promising!

I regret I may be right, I regret even more that the Aussies first innings may be an anomoly and they may henceforth just get back into character. Our batting was reckless, our second innings bowling just poor tactics

[Ramshank72]

Didn't have the winning mentality to kill the game off. The Aussies did, they switched on at the right time.
I'd like to say inexperience cost us, but there's enough experience in that team, and the older heads needed to guide the ship - they failed.
They won't get many opportunities like that, if ever, again. Now all momentum and confidence are with the home team, crowd and media.
Whitewash incoming.

[Andy_Faber]

Australia
5-0
Yes
First test
Root

Agent of doom here. Looks like I got Q3 right too, maybe not on a technicality. Not looking good. Pray for rain

[macstheman]

Day/Night match it's all the same for England 'batters' (I use the term loosely)' they wilt under Starc's glare!
When it's real cricket they are simply wimps! Thankfully the real Root turned up!