Ashes 2025/6
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@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.
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@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
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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.
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@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.
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@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.
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Might have to side with Smith on this one
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@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
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@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.
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@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
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@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".
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@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.
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@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 !!!!!
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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.
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@mariner4life said in Ashes 2025/6:
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.
I'm keen to see Brook ( hopefully ) dominate. To me the most exciting batsman I've seen in donkeys years. Just fearless in his approach.
......and yes the Boxing Day test is awesome. Have already staked out a spot on the couch in the bay with the potential future father in law to eat snacks, drink beer, talk occasionally and watch cricket.
Hopefully its sunny weather so all the kids and other family members are by the pool and don't disturb us.
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As with all touring batsmen, he needs to get used to the bounce. if he can get on top of that he should be alright.
