last round of Shield games for someone, anyone, to put their hand up.
Aussie could be in a spot here, the chat is around needing one opener, but again, because these selectors refuse to let anything go, they are working on the hope that Khawaja can refind some form. That double hundred in Sri Lanka is doing a LOT of heavy lifting (just like Warner's last one did) because other than that he has crossed 50 once since the start of last year. And he's had a lot of innings since then.
Essentially they are hoping a 39 year old can get his eye back.
Given England's terrible batting form at the moment, Australia could pull someone out of club cricket to be one of their openers and still win the series 5-0.
@sparky said in Ashes 2025/6:
Given England's terrible batting form at the moment, Australia could pull someone out of club cricket to be one of their openers and still win the series 5-0.
Both teams have a mix of brilliant batsmen, a couple maybe past it or in terrible form and some who are a bit shit and you wonder how they made it in the first place.
Should make for an excellent series.
9 days later
Hope the physios are warmed up. Those geriatrics might give them quite a bit of work this summer
Given the age of the England squad too and how many injuries Archer and Stokes have had, the s England physios will be bloody busy too.
My guess is the Australians will rotate their quicks a bit from Test to Test. If they can prevent Root and Brook from finding their peak form, I expect Australia to win at least three of the Test easily, although a couple of the others may be tighter contests.
Test quicks Starc and Hazlewood playing for NSW v Victoria who have Scott Boland. Lyon and Smith also in the NSW side.
Alex Carey & Travis Head playing for South Australia. Marnus for QLD
All the Aussie test squad except Khawaja are playing in the current round of Sheffield Shield that's underway.
No pressure on Green. All he has to do is get a bunch of huge scores without getting out and he's the next Steve Waugh apparently.
Gilly was a legend and one of my favourite players but he sure does talk some shit. This is almost as bad as the time he went on about Warnies awesome batting.
did you read the article? it's pretty clear the Australian selectors see him as the key piece of this team going forward. He's 26 in a squad of 30+ year olds. He has been selected any time he's fit, and that includes not fit enough to bowl. He's been selected in the top order repeatedly despite a modest record.
These guys aren't saying he's the next Steve Waugh, they're saying if he is to prove he's the man going forward, he needs a break out series, like Steve Waugh had. And Australia probably need him to, given the flux around him.
They even express doubts that he can, and say he needs to bowl.
Personally i have seen nothing that says this is a possibility, but it's a very fair talking point given the shape of that Australian batting lineup, and the chances this bloke has had.
@mariner4life said in Ashes 2025/6:
did you read the article? it's pretty clear the Australian selectors see him as the key piece of this team going forward. He's 26 in a squad of 30+ year olds. He has been selected any time he's fit, and that includes not fit enough to bowl. He's been selected in the top order repeatedly despite a modest record.
These guys aren't saying he's the next Steve Waugh, they're saying if he is to prove he's the man going forward, he needs a break out series, like Steve Waugh had. And Australia probably need him to, given the flux around him.
They even express doubts that he can, and say he needs to bowl.
Personally i have seen nothing that says this is a possibility, but it's a very fair talking point given the shape of that Australian batting lineup, and the chances this bloke has had.
Well, they're saying he could be......
“This series for me for Cam Green is his Steve Waugh, 1989 Ashes,” Gilchrist said on Fox Cricket on Saturday night.
“If he can nail that breakthrough series where he contributes Test match after Test match after - I mean, ‘Tugga’ ... wasn’t dismissed until about the third Test, I reckon.
@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: 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: 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: 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
@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.....
Yup and NO test 100 scored. That must be a serious monkey on his back.
@MN5 said in Ashes 2025/6:
Might have to side with Smith on this one
I hadn't seen that before. Most of the comments are 'Smith sent me here', 'Thanks for the recommendation smudge' etc
@MN5 said in Ashes 2025/6:
Might have to side with Smith on this one
I quite liked Monty's reply:-
Former England spinner Monty Panesar has responded to Steve Smith's bizarre swipe at him by saying he made his mistakes "on a quiz show", while the stand-in Australia captain "made his on a cricket field".
@Duluth said in Ashes 2025/6:
@MN5 said in Ashes 2025/6:
Might have to side with Smith on this one
I hadn't seen that before. Most of the comments are 'Smith sent me here', 'Thanks for the recommendation smudge' etc
love this comment on Reddit earlier today about this feud..
"From second slip Zac Crawley pipes up "Hey Smudge, what's the capital of Zaire?"
And for the next tortuous twenty minutes Smith faces off a barrage of short balls and geography trivia questions before losing his off stump having not been able to name all the countries that share a border with Oman.
@Catogrande said in Ashes 2025/6:
@MN5 said in Ashes 2025/6:
Might have to side with Smith on this one
I quite liked Monty's reply:-
Former England spinner Monty Panesar has responded to Steve Smith's bizarre swipe at him by saying he made his mistakes "on a quiz show", while the stand-in Australia captain "made his on a cricket field".
That's actually not a bad retort ! Game on !!!!!
About fucking time!! feels like the build up to this has taken an eternity.
England absolutely have to win this first test to be any chance. They just cannot afford to get behind on the scoreboard, especially with Cummins and Hazlewood out, and two Australian debutants.
Predictions? I reckon obvious is best, Smith most runs, Boland most wickets. I thought the series would be 3-1 Australia, but barring rain, i actually can't see a draw happening just given both teams' pace of play.
I hope it lives up to hype. I'm going to day 2 and 3 of the Boxing Day test so 1-all going in to that would be tasty.