England are well in this. I wonder how they'll fuck this up
I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest blazing away at shit balls outside off.
Baz going for a big "save his job" play by showing how clever he is with the Carse promotion.
Either that or just to try and rub the Aussies noses in it on Day 2 at the MCG.
@Donsteppa said in Ashes 2025/6:
Billion dollar stadium, Ashes Boxing Day Test, thousands travelling halfway around the world, and a two dollar groundsman.
Is this all down to the pitch? Do the batsmen need to take any responsibility?
And that's tea. 98 to win, 8 in hand.
@booboo said in Ashes 2025/6:
@Donsteppa said in Ashes 2025/6:
Billion dollar stadium, Ashes Boxing Day Test, thousands travelling halfway around the world, and a two dollar groundsman.
Is this all down to the pitch? Do the batsmen need to take any responsibility?
And that's tea. 98 to win, 8 in hand.
Not the pitch that’s making the ball swing so much
Definitely too much movement seam wise but mixed with poor batting as well
@booboo said in Ashes 2025/6:
@Donsteppa said in Ashes 2025/6:
Billion dollar stadium, Ashes Boxing Day Test, thousands travelling halfway around the world, and a two dollar groundsman.
Is this all down to the pitch? Do the batsmen need to take any responsibility?
And that's tea. 98 to win, 8 in hand.
Clincher for me was Steve Smith admitting he'd have bowled first. Given the received wisdom in Australian Test captaincy about batting first always, going back to Ian Chappell. Especially at home.
Some of the shots are definitely another story, but I'm not sure this Test was going into a fourth day regardless of who was playing.
@booboo said in Ashes 2025/6:
@Donsteppa said in Ashes 2025/6:
Billion dollar stadium, Ashes Boxing Day Test, thousands travelling halfway around the world, and a two dollar groundsman.
Is this all down to the pitch? Do the batsmen need to take any responsibility?
And that's tea. 98 to win, 8 in hand.
For mine you could compare this pitch to a pitch in India that is taking far too much turn. There is consistent movement off the seam which means that there is going to be a ball with your name on it sooner or later, so you really need to score as many as you can before then. Very poor pitch, and a bit of an equalizer really.
England right in this.
Get ready for Baz's mates to spin this as the greatest victory of all time if England win.
Thoughts with anyone who laid a lot of money to travel a long distance and to purchase day three tickets.
Australia have been unusually carrying 2-3 passengers in the team this series, looks like it has finally caught up with them.
@sparky said in Ashes 2025/6:
Thoughts with anyone who laid a lot of money to travel a long distance and to purchase day three tickets.
Happened to me in Perth, although Optus Stadium is within walking distance of where I live.
"Hello, I'd like to book a three-day stay in Noosa for 16 people please. Make sure the mini bars are all fully stocked."
@Donsteppa said in Ashes 2025/6:
Surely Brook and Root can manage this one.
Kane and Ross did when it mattered
My normal formula for when a chase is beyond doubt is when runs remaining/(wickets in hand - 2) is below ten. Right now that's 35/(6-2) or a little under 9. But there's no way this is settled - these are going to as tense as you get.
Wonder if the SCG will be a 4 day pitch...
@Godder said in Ashes 2025/6:
Wonder if the SCG will be a 4 day pitch...
Everyone thought that Bazball was thinking short term, but he's been playing 3d chess all along. Lose in 2 days, bankrupt CA, tank their development programs and in 2060 the English will win 10 on the trot!
Bazball !
This is how test cricket should be played.
Five days can get fucked, a test isn’t a test if it goes into the third day.
Fucken hell, one final bit of drama. Root out LBW to Richardson.
Stokes in, clutch player. He’ll do it.
@Cyclops said in Ashes 2025/6:
My normal formula for when a chase is beyond doubt is when runs remaining/(wickets in hand - 2) is below ten. Right now that's 35/(6-2) or a little under 9. But there's no way this is settled - these are going to as tense as you get.
17/(5-2) = 5.66 ... ???
Those extras not helping Australia's cause... Leg byes are tough to control but byes and no balls are poor.
@sparky said in Ashes 2025/6:
Joe Root's poor series and poor record in Australia continues.
Yep, that’s why all this GOAT shit irks me. He’s not.
@booboo said in Ashes 2025/6:
4 in the hutch
Atkinson has a buggered hamstring so he will require a runner and will bat on one leg.
@sparky said in Ashes 2025/6:
@booboo said in Ashes 2025/6:
4 in the hutch
Atkinson has a buggered hamstring so he will require a runner.
Didn't think runners were allowed anymore?
@booboo said in Ashes 2025/6:
@sparky said in Ashes 2025/6:
@booboo said in Ashes 2025/6:
4 in the hutch
Atkinson has a buggered hamstring so he will require a runner.
Didn't think runners were allowed anymore?
@booboo said in Ashes 2025/6:
@sparky said in Ashes 2025/6:
@booboo said in Ashes 2025/6:
4 in the hutch
Atkinson has a buggered hamstring so he will require a runner.
Didn't think runners were allowed anymore?
Yeah same.
One thing here is because Carse came in at 3 England bat slightly deeper.