Ashes 2025/6

Green has the potential to average in the mid 40s with the bat and early 30s with the ball, which would put him right up there, and his numbers at every level except test indicate he could do that. But he just hasn't been able to make the step up from FC. I'm not sure he has the powers of concentration (like most young players these days) to excel at in the test arena against bowlers that will consistently challenge you, he often seems to get out making a mistake.

Somewhat related, but I think younger generations these days are growing up in an environment (with the internet, social media and now AI) that does not foster practicing concentrating for long periods of time, in any field, sports or otherwise. Tiger Woods superpower was his ability to concentrate for very long periods without making a mistake, and the same ability is needed in tests. Modern test cricket is probably a little bit symptomatic of wider society; it's not random that a lot of test sides these days are full of over 30s with younger players preferring T20s which are more in line with the quick, short, instant gratification type of entertainment these days.

I'd be interested in stats on % of drawn tests each year as well, but I don't have time to look that up right now. It feels like there is a LOT less draws these days with batsmen scoring faster and getting themselves out a lot playing aggressively.

@No-Quarter said in Ashes 2025/6:

Green has the potential to average in the mid 40s with the bat and early 30s with the ball, which would put him right up there, and his numbers at every level except test indicate he could do that. But he just hasn't been able to make the step up from FC. I'm not sure he has the powers of concentration (like most young players these days) to excel at in the test arena against bowlers that will consistently challenge you, he often seems to get out making a mistake.

Somewhat related, but I think younger generations these days are growing up in an environment (with the internet, social media and now AI) that does not foster practicing concentrating for long periods of time, in any field, sports or otherwise. Tiger Woods superpower was his ability to concentrate for very long periods without making a mistake, and the same ability is needed in tests. Modern test cricket is probably a little bit symptomatic of wider society; it's not random that a lot of test sides these days are full of over 30s with younger players preferring T20s which are more in line with the quick, short, instant gratification type of entertainment these days.

I'd be interested in stats on % of drawn tests each year as well, but I don't have time to look that up right now. It feels like there is a LOT less draws these days with batsmen scoring faster and getting themselves out a lot playing aggressively.

80 first class wickets in 75 matches is fuck all. He's a batsman who can bowl a bit of useful medium pace to rest the front liners. Not more than that.

For a bloke who got mouthy about being left out of the last Test, Lyon has bowled one good over across two innings so far.

Crawley 50 up.

Just needs to add at least 150 to that and he’ll become an Ashes hero and say a big fuck you to the doubters.

@Donsteppa said in Ashes 2025/6:

For a bloke who got mouthy about being left out of the last Test, Lyon has bowled one good over across two innings so far.

Just needs to slide some beetroot and onions

@MN5 said in Ashes 2025/6:

@No-Quarter said in Ashes 2025/6:

Green has the potential to average in the mid 40s with the bat and early 30s with the ball, which would put him right up there, and his numbers at every level except test indicate he could do that. But he just hasn't been able to make the step up from FC. I'm not sure he has the powers of concentration (like most young players these days) to excel at in the test arena against bowlers that will consistently challenge you, he often seems to get out making a mistake.

Somewhat related, but I think younger generations these days are growing up in an environment (with the internet, social media and now AI) that does not foster practicing concentrating for long periods of time, in any field, sports or otherwise. Tiger Woods superpower was his ability to concentrate for very long periods without making a mistake, and the same ability is needed in tests. Modern test cricket is probably a little bit symptomatic of wider society; it's not random that a lot of test sides these days are full of over 30s with younger players preferring T20s which are more in line with the quick, short, instant gratification type of entertainment these days.

I'd be interested in stats on % of drawn tests each year as well, but I don't have time to look that up right now. It feels like there is a LOT less draws these days with batsmen scoring faster and getting themselves out a lot playing aggressively.

80 first class wickets in 75 matches is fuck all. He's a batsman who can bowl a bit of useful medium pace to rest the front liners. Not more than that.

140 km isn't medium pace

But otherwise you're right

@nzzp said in Ashes 2025/6:

@MN5 said in Ashes 2025/6:

@No-Quarter said in Ashes 2025/6:

Green has the potential to average in the mid 40s with the bat and early 30s with the ball, which would put him right up there, and his numbers at every level except test indicate he could do that. But he just hasn't been able to make the step up from FC. I'm not sure he has the powers of concentration (like most young players these days) to excel at in the test arena against bowlers that will consistently challenge you, he often seems to get out making a mistake.

Somewhat related, but I think younger generations these days are growing up in an environment (with the internet, social media and now AI) that does not foster practicing concentrating for long periods of time, in any field, sports or otherwise. Tiger Woods superpower was his ability to concentrate for very long periods without making a mistake, and the same ability is needed in tests. Modern test cricket is probably a little bit symptomatic of wider society; it's not random that a lot of test sides these days are full of over 30s with younger players preferring T20s which are more in line with the quick, short, instant gratification type of entertainment these days.

I'd be interested in stats on % of drawn tests each year as well, but I don't have time to look that up right now. It feels like there is a LOT less draws these days with batsmen scoring faster and getting themselves out a lot playing aggressively.

80 first class wickets in 75 matches is fuck all. He's a batsman who can bowl a bit of useful medium pace to rest the front liners. Not more than that.

140 km isn't medium pace

But otherwise you're right

Yeah I'll give you that.

I guess that's the reason they want to persevere with him in terms of turning the arm over but he's tall and guys like that are injury prone. Plus he's not exactly dominating with the bat of late either.

I supposed he's an upgrade on Mitch Marsh though.

@MN5 said in Ashes 2025/6:

@nzzp said in Ashes 2025/6:

@MN5 said in Ashes 2025/6:

@No-Quarter said in Ashes 2025/6:

Green has the potential to average in the mid 40s with the bat and early 30s with the ball, which would put him right up there, and his numbers at every level except test indicate he could do that. But he just hasn't been able to make the step up from FC. I'm not sure he has the powers of concentration (like most young players these days) to excel at in the test arena against bowlers that will consistently challenge you, he often seems to get out making a mistake.

Somewhat related, but I think younger generations these days are growing up in an environment (with the internet, social media and now AI) that does not foster practicing concentrating for long periods of time, in any field, sports or otherwise. Tiger Woods superpower was his ability to concentrate for very long periods without making a mistake, and the same ability is needed in tests. Modern test cricket is probably a little bit symptomatic of wider society; it's not random that a lot of test sides these days are full of over 30s with younger players preferring T20s which are more in line with the quick, short, instant gratification type of entertainment these days.

I'd be interested in stats on % of drawn tests each year as well, but I don't have time to look that up right now. It feels like there is a LOT less draws these days with batsmen scoring faster and getting themselves out a lot playing aggressively.

80 first class wickets in 75 matches is fuck all. He's a batsman who can bowl a bit of useful medium pace to rest the front liners. Not more than that.

140 km isn't medium pace

But otherwise you're right

Yeah I'll give you that.

I guess that's the reason they want to persevere with him in terms of turning the arm over but he's tall and guys like that are injury prone. Plus he's not exactly dominating with the bat of late either.

I supposed he's an upgrade on Mitch Marsh though.

Is he?

@MN5 said in Ashes 2025/6:

Crawley 50 up.

Just needs to add at least 150 to that and he’ll become an Ashes hero and say a big fuck you to the doubters.

If Brook can make 150, England will get close.

I think he's their last remaining hope - with Crawley, Stokes et al to bat around him.

@Chris-B said in Ashes 2025/6:

@MN5 said in Ashes 2025/6:

Crawley 50 up.

Just needs to add at least 150 to that and he’ll become an Ashes hero and say a big fuck you to the doubters.

If Brook can make 150, England will get close.

I think he's their last remaining hope - with Crawley, Stokes et al to bat around him.

Yeah I think Brook is the Obi Wan.

Massive opportunity for him to make history.

Starc going back to his mercurial self will certainly help Brooks chances

There's a touch of irony requesting 150 on demand. It's around the, "we need a hat trick right now"!

Slightly more likely, perhaps.

Brook is a twit.

@MN5 said in Ashes 2025/6:

@Chris-B said in Ashes 2025/6:

@MN5 said in Ashes 2025/6:

Crawley 50 up.

Just needs to add at least 150 to that and he’ll become an Ashes hero and say a big fuck you to the doubters.

If Brook can make 150, England will get close.

I think he's their last remaining hope - with Crawley, Stokes et al to bat around him.

Yeah I think Brook is the Obi Wan.

Massive opportunity for him to make history.

Or not

Super dumb way by Harry Brook to get out.

Harry Brook and Travis Head are very similar in that they produce some awe inspiring innings but then a bunch of dross to go with it. The difference between the two sides is basically down to Head being at his best and Brook at his worst. Maybe this is Head figuring it out and Brook being figured out, will be interesting to see how they go.

Is England's next test series us in May or do they have something in between?

Stokes now loses off stump to Lyon. Proverbial Fat Lady is warming up...

That's a beauty from Lyon. England lucky not to have any more left handers to come in?

A beauty from Lyon. England on the edge of defeat.

@Cyclops said in Ashes 2025/6:

Is England's next test series us in May or do they have something in between?

England's next Test series after this is against the BCs in June 2026. Tests at Lords, the Oval and Trent Bridge.