@NTA said in Ashes 2025/6:
It's the ears; he can't help but have random words fly into his brain.
Exciting player though. Very good at being on winning test teams it has to be said. Much, much nicer guy than Brad Haddin too.
Josh Hazelwood is out of the first Ashes Test: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/cwy7z7xjep1o
@sparky said in Ashes 2025/6:
Josh Hazelwood is out of the first Ashes Test: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/cwy7z7xjep1o
Probably means @mariner4life won't watch now 
Guardian top 100 Ashes cricketers
Warne 1, Bradman 2, Botham 3.
Compiled by 51 journalists picking their top 50 - Bradman topped most lists but apparently 2 people didn't select him in their top 50 even though they had to include players from all eras.
@KiwiPie said in Ashes 2025/6:
Guardian top 100 Ashes cricketers
Warne 1, Bradman 2, Botham 3.
Compiled by 51 journalists picking their top 50 - Bradman topped most lists but apparently 2 people didn't select him in their top 50 even though they had to include players from all eras.
TBF and in their defense he only averaged 89.78 vs England, thats a whole 10 runs lower than his overall average.
Clearly struggled against the big boys.
Funnily though he averaged an even lower 78 at home vs England but slightly redeemed himself by averaging a not too shabby 102 in England. Scoring 11 x 100's from just 19 tests...
@KiwiPie said in Ashes 2025/6:
Guardian top 100 Ashes cricketers
Warne 1, Bradman 2, Botham 3.
Compiled by 51 journalists picking their top 50 - Bradman topped most lists but apparently 2 people didn't select him in their top 50 even though they had to include players from all eras.
Automatically makes the rest of the list invalid.
@Virgil said in Ashes 2025/6:
@KiwiPie said in Ashes 2025/6:
Guardian top 100 Ashes cricketers
Warne 1, Bradman 2, Botham 3.
Compiled by 51 journalists picking their top 50 - Bradman topped most lists but apparently 2 people didn't select him in their top 50 even though they had to include players from all eras.TBF and in their defense he only averaged 89.78 vs England, thats a whole 10 runs lower than his overall average.
Clearly struggled against the big boys.Funnily though he averaged an even lower 78 at home vs England but slightly redeemed himself by averaging a not too shabby 102 in England. Scoring 11 x 100's from just 19 tests...
Further to this silly list.......
It's pretty awesome to me that Beefy and Warnie are so highly rated. Both absolute larrakins off the field who could play like demons when they needed to. Both very high on my list of favourite players.
Guys who captured the imagination like few, if any, before them because if you look closer they both had a few faults ( Beefy crap vs Windies, Warnie crap in India )
Would definitely choose either of them to have a few beers with over Bradman who preferred tea apparently.
@sparky said in Ashes 2025/6:
Josh Hazelwood is out of the first Ashes Test: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/cwy7z7xjep1o
Probably means a likely debut for Brendan Doggett
@1kiwi said in Ashes 2025/6:
@sparky said in Ashes 2025/6:
Josh Hazelwood is out of the first Ashes Test: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/cwy7z7xjep1o
Probably means a likely debut for Brendan Doggett
Dizzy Gillespie backs him, which is good enough for me.
I still can't agree with starting the series in Perth. I'll be somewhere in Tokyo when the first ball is delivered so hopefully it goes well and/or I can find a way to watch it
@NTA said in Ashes 2025/6:
I still can't agree with starting the series in Perth. I'll be somewhere in Tokyo when the first ball is delivered so hopefully it goes well and/or I can find a way to watch it
We went to Perth for a day night first test of the tour and it ruined us for the entire trip
Australia XI for first Test:Â Usman Khawaja, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (c), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Brendan Doggett, Scott Boland
As a Pom, its difficult to ever see Aus test team as anything other than an unstoppable force, particularly in Australia. I have basically consistently under estimated this England team under Stokes and Mac - I am still going to be watching through my fingers, I still expect it to be 4-0 or 5-0. But there's no doubt that this is our best chance to do something special for the first time in 14 years. Winning probably beyond them, but being competitive is a genuine possibility, will depend a lot on the fitness of our first choice bowlers.
Apparently Stokes would be only the third English skipper ever to regain the Ashes in Australia - that would be some achievement.
@1kiwi said in Ashes 2025/6:
Australia XI for first Test:Â Usman Khawaja, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (c), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Brendan Doggett, Scott Boland
That's some team.
That 3,4, 5, 6 and 7 are a different league collectively to their English equivalents. I don't see England getting them all out cheaply.
Even with all the injuries, that bowling line-up is better than England's.
Australia should be massive favourites for the series. It will end at least 3-1 to their favour.
But yeah, I think it will end 5-0 to Australia.
@sparky said in Ashes 2025/6:
@1kiwi said in Ashes 2025/6:
Australia XI for first Test:Â Usman Khawaja, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (c), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Brendan Doggett, Scott Boland
That's some team.
That 3,4, 5, 6 and 7 are a different league collectively to their English equivalents. I don't see England getting them all out cheaply.
Even with all the injuries, that bowling line-up is better than England's.
Australia should be massive favourites for the series. It will end at least 3-1 to their favour.
But yeah, I think it will end 5-0 to Australia.
England have the two best test batsmen in the world. Duckett is a very good opener too. Stokes obviously capable of lifting for the big occasions. I'm not sure the gulf is as great as you think.
Can't help but agree with the bowling summary though.
Might have to side with Smith on this one
@MN5 said in Ashes 2025/6:
England have the two best test batsmen in the world
Root's average of 35 in Aus with a high score of 89 doesnt have quite the same ring as ICC number 1 test batsman.....
@KiwiMurph said in Ashes 2025/6:
@MN5 said in Ashes 2025/6:
England have the two best test batsmen in the world
Root's average of 35 in Aus with a high score of 89 doesnt have quite the same ring as ICC number 1 test batsman.....
Don't ruin my narrative with pesky facts.
Root is due........SURELY !!!!!
or else we get a nude Hayden run