Ashes 2025-26.

[sussexpob]

Absolute shambles of a day all round

Good to have you back, BFP. I am no longer the designated negative person for the board now

[Arthur Crabtree]

All of those 5 drops were good chances, at this level. Very disappointing. This is a failing that dogs this side.

Can't be a problem with seeing the pink ball under lights as they would have taken the opportunity for extra practice.

So it can't be that.

[bigfluffylemon]

You can't drop 5 and expect to win an Ashes game. Very poor.

And it's the same old, same old from England in Australia. I feel that for the last three series, we've gone in thinking Australia favourites, but England could compete if they got their act together. And England collectively fail to get their act together. For the first couple of games there are passages of play where England look as if they have the upper hand, but squander it, and Australia take control, then never take their foot off the throat. And before you know it, England are 2-0 down, and it unravels from there, and all they're playing for is to try and avoid the whitewash.

Feels as though today is a critical day if that script isn't going to repeat. England need to keep the lead as low as possible, and still be batting by the close of play, for there to be any chance of the series still being alive. For the sake of the series, and cricket as a whole, I hope they do.

As an aside, you'd think Australian fans might get a little bored with England coming over here and getting repeatedly thrashed and might like to see a competitive game of cricket now and again, but no, there seems to be no end of enjoyment of sticking it to the Poms, again.

[alfie]

Having cooled off somewhat after a night of sleep I can address that second day as calmly as possible....

Very disappointing to see England once again follow a good - or at least decent - first day with a total trainwreck on the second. OK , batting conditions were probably slightly better than the previous day , and you have to give credit to Australia's top four ... but still too much was made easy for them by some dreadful bowling and an epidemic of dropped catches.

Wasn't good from the start. After reaching 334 you'd have thought the bowlers would be up and at them from the off ; but Archer started as if he was having a net warm up - low 130s and all over the shop to give Head a comfortable couple of overs to just watch the ball go by. He got going later and produced some good stuff - and was dead unlucky with Smith's bad drop of Head ; but honestly taking three overs to get into gear when you are going to be used in 4/5 over spells is just not acceptable. At least he put in some solid work later in the day and was again rather let down by his fielders ; but it is becoming past time for him to produce the sort of performance in Tests that he did in his initial debut series , and which everyone seems to assume he still has in him. Otherwise might be best to just stick to white ball stuff.

Atkinson started well - and I think he was the most consistent of the bowlers , rather unlucky to remain wicketless. But he seemed to wilt in that first spell when Weatherald got after him and was consequently removed rather quickly from the attack : he badly needs to get onto the wicket column or his confidence is likely to tank. His early removal brought Carse on and oh boy did he serve up some rubbish ! Got Head going , score rocketing , whole game plan out the window ... OK he ended up getting the break but that was Head losing his ...head. Two more fortunate wickets late on but doesn't mask the fact that he is consistently offering runs on a plate. For whatever reason , he seems to have completely lost his bowling form over the last few months.

Stokes was mixed. Also far too many loose balls but at least he produced a couple of big wickets : I fear the failures of the others are putting a lot of strain on his body though as he feels compelled to keep digging deep for his side heedless of the danger to his fitness. Lose him and they might as well head for the airport.

Could Jacks have been tried ? Couldn't have cost more than Carse I suppose , though I don't think there is anything in this surface for a spinner : Australia leaving out Lyon was a bit of a clue. At least he partially justified his place with a brilliant catch !

Remarkable thing is that despite the largely rotten bowling (so much short and wide of the body !) England were still well in it in that last session - due mainly to Australian bats showing England don't have a monopoly on daft get out shots : Cam Green what were you thinking ? If they could catch this innings might be all but over with a modest lead ... but four easy chances missed - and one very hard one to Root , which arguably should have been more easily taken by the keeper ? But Smith was flat footed and motionless...he is having a bit of a shocker.

In fact those first innings ducks seem to have infected all of them : Duckett , Smith , Carse all dropping catches . Nothing flew near Pope yet

So what's the prognosis ? Australia 44 ahead already , these two can bat - and Starc in next can hit the ball so a chance to get the lead over 100 ; though the new ball isn't far off. Bowlers will be tired but they absolutely have to limit the damage by getting these remaining wickets as cheaply as possible. Then over to the bats to see if they can actually achieve an 80 over innings for once : if they can then all would not be lost as you'd imagine the cracks in the pitch will start to play some part over the last couple of days.

15 years ago on this ground England responded to a huge first innings deficit by making 517/1 ... and we all remember what that led to . Unfortunately they don't have a Strauss Cook Trott top three this time around so might need a bit more of a team effort !

Forecast suggests some chance of storms and more than a dash of rain Sunday/Monday so a draw isn't out of the question ; but I don't expect the sort of washout that Manchester generally produces when England look good for a win at home ; so up to the batsmen to bail themselves out. Will continue to hope because I really don't want to watch a bunch of dead rubber matches this time around.

But a lot less hopeful than 24 hours ago

[bigfluffylemon]

Everything Starc does turns to gold at the moment...

[Durhamfootman]

this is like following every game that Durham played last season

Innings victory for Australia is still on

[sussexpob]

At this point, England need to go out second innings and bat like their lives depend on their wickets, if anything just to salvage some self-respect. They have been awful today, the wheels have come of.... the game and series are probably done. I want to see accountability. If we get bowled out for 100 or 150 fine, but show me you care by at least trying to bat a few overs.

[backfootpunch]

Absolute shambles of a day all round

Good to have you back, BFP. I am no longer the designated negative person for the board now

The top order collapse feels absolutely inevitable here doesnt it

Can already picture the wafts outside off stump.

The benefit of losing the first 2 games is i wont have to ruin my sleep pattern for the other games.

Was nice to hope we might win a game this time but maybe itll be 2029

[sussexpob]

Can't help but feel Australia missed a trick this morning. All this sensible batting and grinding England down to the nib has been poor.... where are the discoops?

They may win the actual series, but England once again claiming the moral victory

[Durhamfootman]

well..... finally

177 behind

can England make Australia bat again?

it's far from certain

[Durhamfootman]

I mean I don't know, because I can't see the sky, but I'm guessing that Australia's stubborn tail end batting has given themselves the chance to bowl England's top order out in the half light and then the rest under lights

[andy]

Morning all, I'l be honest today is the first day in the series I haven't got up for the star t due to it being my first wedding anniversary....what on earth has gone on? I mean we all predicted it but what the hell? Hugely expecting an innings defeat by the end of today now

[andy]

First time in the series Starc hasn't taken a wicket in the first ball of the innings in this series....encouraging signs or delaying the inevitable?!

Crawley off to a run a ball start

[sussexpob]

Australia getting the drops in now

[andy]

Life for Duckett! Neser drops him off own bowling who then sprays the ball next down the leg side, harsh on Carey for that to be called byes! Wides all day long that!