Ashes 2025/6

Virgil

@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

Donsteppa

@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.

Donsteppa

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.

No Quarter

@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.

canefan

The groundsman had one job.... 🙄

Donsteppa

Famous last words, but surely not even England can stuff this one up from here.

sparky

England right in this.

Get ready for Baz's mates to spin this as the greatest victory of all time if England win.

booboo

Carey's not bad with the gloves

sparky

Thoughts with anyone who laid a lot of money to travel a long distance and to purchase day three tickets.

Donsteppa

Australia have been unusually carrying 2-3 passengers in the team this series, looks like it has finally caught up with them.

African Monkey

@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.

booboo

Another twist... Bethel caught at cover.

4 down, 38 to get

sparky

"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

Surely Brook and Root can manage this one.

Cyclops

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.

Cyclops

@Godder said in Ashes 2025/6:

View embedded content

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!

Donsteppa

Neser is back to being cannon fodder.

MN5

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.

Godder

All I want for Christmas is a 3 day test...

booboo

Root reviewing but looked plumb first up.

MN5

Fucken hell, one final bit of drama. Root out LBW to Richardson.

Stokes in, clutch player. He’ll do it.

booboo

@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 ... ???

Godder

Those extras not helping Australia's cause... Leg byes are tough to control but byes and no balls are poor.

sparky

Joe Root's poor series and poor record in Australia continues.

MN5

@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

10 to get, 4 in the hutch

sparky

Stokes gone. Great catch by Carey.

Biggest choke of all time is on!

sparky

@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.

Donsteppa

Starc loses his line after the wicket, and that's all she wrote.

Cyclops

@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.

sparky

@booboo Yeah, ICC got rid of them fifteen years ago apparently.

Donsteppa

Perhaps they could give the all rounder a bowl now.