Ashes 2025-26.

[Arthur Crabtree]

177-3 when Brook got out. So maybe some false hope at this point.

[backfootpunch]

Better with the ball by the looks of it. I expected a much bigger run chase than the daunting one they faced

Sadly the batting has been poor again. Duckett still proving hopeless (which has been a theme that I confess has surprised me), but Harry Brook needs a *modded* slap

Another score from the much maligned Crawley who is now only a handful of runs behind the bloke who is on track to surpass the little master, if he doesn't get fed up and jack it all in first

Thing with Duckett is his average flatters him

Take away the games against ireland, zimbabwe and on the roads in pakistan he averages low 30s

[Durhamfootman]

I do feel a little sorry for Crawley, though. Every time the BBC headline says 'Sorry England', England batters collapse again' etc, etc they show a picture of Crawley trudging off, including today when he scored 85, giving the impression at a casual glance that it's all his fault, even when it isn't. They haven't had a picture of Duckett trudging off yet, despite him averaging 16 or something this series

He's been extraordinarily lucky to have played as many tests as he has, I'd have replaced him ages ago, but all the talk pre-series was about Crawley and Pope and whilst Pope has lived up to his pre-season billing, Crawley perhaps hasn't..... not that you'd know it from the photos

[Arthur Crabtree]

Well, Crawley's the only player in the squad to exceed expectation!

[Arthur Crabtree]

Rain! Six hours of this would be an unexpected twist.

[Arthur Crabtree]

50 partnership. Good that England are keeping the Aussies out in the field. And Smith finding some form.

Presume the Aussies will win sometime before tea though.

[GarlicJam]

the worm is stirring, but has not yet turned.

It looks like Lyon is out of this test, and very possibly the rest of the series, with a torn (?) hamstring. Starc has had 2 official warnings for going onto the protected area.

Smith is looking very strong right now. Aus are needing a wicket pretty soon.

[GarlicJam]

Smith is looking very strong right now.

well done me.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Well, they've got a new ball and a great pace attack so they'll get one. Just surprising England aren't making it easy for them. Well done to Smith for the 50. Now has to convert to a ton...

Big blow losing Lyon, if he's out.

[Arthur Crabtree]

And Smith goes. Goodnight Vienna.

[backfootpunch]

What. A. Plonker.

[Arthur Crabtree]

91 partnership is England's second best of the game, after Stokes/Archer.

[GarlicJam]

I was starting to get nervous there, but England left themselves just too much to do towards the end.

[alfie]

So over in the middle session on day five... a much better contest than the first two in the end ; but the same result.

Hats off to Australia should be the first reaction , surely. Despite some serious injury losses - and a somewhat suspect batting line-up - they have managed to handle anything England have thrown at them , like a first day bowling blitz in Perth , and impose their domination to achieve a series win at the earliest possible time. Head , Carey , Starc , Cummins , Boland - even Khawaja celebrating his accidental recall ; and Marnus with his catching if less so in terms of batting contributions , have been consistent to a level even England's better players have not been able to match. A thoroughly well deserved Ashes victory

Not interested in the inevitable pile-on that will now envelop the England team and management. Obviously some things need to change but that can all wait until the series is done and we see how individuals and team alike deal with the crushing of their dreams and the dispiriting knowledge that even belated success in Melbourne or Sydney won't save them from widespread ridicule. Character counts at this level , often even more so than raw ability.

A pity for the neutral that this wasn't the first game rather than the sealer. Would have set things up nicely for the holiday period matches. I am at least pleased to have seen this one played out like a proper Test Match and hope for similar next week here on my doorstep. Also a pity for Lyon who looks to be out again with that unfortunate injury - though he can congratulate himself on important wickets last night that may in fact have made the difference between this Aussie win and a stunning fourth innings chasedown.

Will be interesting to see what both sides do in terms of selection. Aussies have plenty of options if fatigue is a problem for any of their bowlers - England a bit less so especially in the twin problem areas of top order batting and spin. Meanwhile West Indies are 43 runs into a 462 run chase in NZ so something to watch for a little while...

[bigfluffylemon]

I wouldn't be surprised if England suddenly become more competitive when there's nothing on the line.

Very, very disappointed this series. The BBC is saying it's the worst tour of modern times. I think it'll take a lot to beat the Mitchaggedon for me, when England were legitimate favourites when they arrived and were absolutely demolished ending so many careers of the best England team in my lifetime. Let's be real, Australia were always favourites against Stokes' side, but there was genuine optimism that England had the ability to compete.

The thing is, while there are clearly some inadequate players and awful preparation, there is a lot of talent there. Brook, Duckett, Smith and Atkinson have all performed well in the last couple of years against good opposition and completely gone missing in action here. Whereas every member of the Australian squad has stood up when needed.

I wonder if they'll ever learn that preparation is a good idea when touring Australia, but they'll probably keep trusting 'their methods'. Sigh.