Ashes 2025-26.

[bigfluffylemon]

Still, after a horrible test at Perth, that was a proper day of test match cricket. See-sawing, drama, runs, tough spells, wickets, records. And England could have done better, but they're in the game.

Root the superstar. Even though the bowling wasn't the greatest, to bat through the day under that pressure as everyone else fell around him was special.

Hats off to Starc, too. Single-handedly holding the Australian attack (and my fantasy team) together...

[Arthur Crabtree]

Single-handedly holding the Australian attack (and my fantasy team) together...

Oh blimey, I forgot about that! I'll do it tomorrow.

[alfie]

And unless England can bat another 6 overs, no over rate penalty

I understand not so : the rule , I am informed , was changed to a minimum of 60 overs. If that info is correct , Australia will be hit with some WTC point deductions - and well deserved , as the late slowdown on top of an overall poor rate was pretty shabby.

Also reckon the deliberate adoption of a "don't get them out , just contain and save overs" tactic was the root cause of an improbably 61 run last wicket stand which may well come back to bite them as the match progresses. (Suppose the real "Root cause" was more that - but still the non attacking policy had a lot to do with letting Archer have his best Test innings by a mile)

[alfie]

Just catching up on the first session I missed. Whatever god Zak Crawley worships is the right one, because how the hell did he get past the first 10 overs? Spooned a return chance to Starc he just couldn't get to, flashed an edge low to Smith that I think carried but wasn't taken, had about 20 times he wafted at one only for the ball to pass mms away from his edge, and then he finally did nick one and the umpire yet again decided that the soundwave on snicko wasn't the right wavey thing, so it couldnt have been the edge, even though there was no light between edge and ball and a clear sound at the moment it passes the edge.....

All hail Zak.... I need to ask him for his lottery numbers

Whether or not the "soundwave " proved anything is irrelevant because the Aussies didn't really believe there was an edge and so failed to call for a review.

[alfie]

Anyway that was another enthralling day of Test Cricket . Whatever complaints one might have about the current England team methods , one can hardly deny they supply many days of exciting action - perhaps only marred by the fact that the overall number of days that actually take place tend to be fewer than the fans would want

Think that last wicket stand makes it England's day. Of course Australia may come out now and make 500 but that shouldn't detract from a remarkable recovery from that awful start , when Starc was looking quite unplayable. Pitch was generally ok but the ball started doing enough under lights - before it softened right out - to make batting tricky. And one ball from Boland that leapt quite alarmingly late on and surprised both sides may hint that there will be a bit there for the bowlers as the game goes on. We will see.

An "A" for Root , Starc and Carey , I am awarding. And "B" for Crawley and Boland as the most effective support acts. And honourable mentions for Jofra remembering which end of the bat to hold and Inglis for one brilliant piece of fielding offsetting his contributions to the overthrow collection.

Were some daft shots , and some pretty tame bowling. Is a gulf between Starc and the second string Aussie back up bowling , Boland excluded to a degree : why on earth they left out Lyon is beyond me. England do not have a bowler with the pedigree of Starc ; but they may have a better mix of bowlers overall , even if Jacks is unlikely to have the Aussie bats trembling in advance. Again , we won't know until both sides have batted.

But (hopefully without jinxing England again after one good day) I think we have a match...

[andy]

Archer has just played a ridiculously good cover drive off Mitch Starc...credit to him he's looked very good in this innings...handy runs this how long can they keep the Aussies out there this morning

[andy]

Ah all over...archer gone for 38 great catch by marnus!! 334 all out

[GarlicJam]

great last wicket partnership for England. Well done Archer. It took a brilliant catch to get his wicket.

Very well done Root.

[andy]

Been a poor start from archer with the ball though not threatened at all and wayward not set the tone this time

[andy]

great last wicket partnership for England. Well done Archer. It took a brilliant catch to get his wicket.

Very well done Root.

If only they had a Nathan Lyon to break up the pace and give starc a rest to try something different....still completely baffled that they left Lyon out and not surprised that he's fuming one bit

[bigfluffylemon]

WinViz has 66% England.

That feels about 50% too high

[andy]

Stokes won't be happy with the start though...not looked like getting a wicket openers looking comfortable....wouldn't suprise me if stokes came on first change here

[andy]

How good was Alex Carey glovework yesterday as well? Can't remember a day of wicket keeping being that impressive for a long long time! He was outstanding and up to the stumps at times too to the medium quicks

[andy]

Jamie smith drops Travis Head!!!

[andy]

Breakthrough!!!! Head gets carse! 77-1 desperately needed wicket that!