Ashes 2025-26.

[sussexpob]

The weirdest thing about the last few weeks has been the complete transformation of Stuart Broad. Not only has he seemingly ditched the Del Monte Man suits, but his stints in the box have been good. Ponting seems to have gone the other way, the Ashes have brought out the partisan pitbull in him..... Also like how Michael Vaughan mixes nationalistic delusion with having a meltdown about the team. When asked if State or CC was better, he said CC had created Australia's test success..... Mark Waugh didn't seem to know what to do in response.

Pretty sure NSW would thrash Leicestershire....

[Durhamfootman]

they would have definitely thrashed Durham last season

and we're run by Aussies

[meninblue]

Great post, Durham

Consistent effort is so boring and out of fashion. Just like your exam analogy.

I hate to disappoint you Adi, but it wasn't me that wrote that, it was cricket writer George Dobell. I posted it in full rather than just the link, because the article was behind a paywall

I like Dobell, because he always strikes me as being, at the same time, knowledgeable, considered and consistent.... unlike many of the other cricket writers who either act as ECB mouthpieces, are media mates of Rob Key, or have gin to sell and clicks to accumulate

Media and commentators have become PR for players and cricketing boards. They do damage control when players are woefully out of form and the team is also losing series after series. Such articles will be rare.

[Durhamfootman]

very rare

[meninblue]

England look set to retain the same batting line-up for the third Ashes Test in Adelaide after head coach Brendon McCullum gave their top seven his strong backing, warning against "knee-jerk reactions" after going 2-0 down to Australia.

Batsmen have been given so many matches that very few cricketers had such a long career after averaging this low. How does BigMac calls this 'knee-jerk reactions'. Fans would say it is 'no-reaction' at all for whoel career given these batsman are selected inspite of this average.

Batsman - Tests Played - Batting Average

Zak Crawley averages - 61 - 31.49
Ollie Pope - 63 - 34.01
Ben Duckett- 40 - 41.35

What do England fans think about WIll Jacks in the test team? Is ECB think-tank trying to find a replacement of Moeen Ali. Someone who can bat as well as bowl, but a relatively better fielder.

[Arthur Crabtree]

An average over 40 is ok. Or a minimum. But England tried about a dozen openers after Strauss, and none of them clicked, so maybe when they saw Crawley theur expectations weren't high.

Though back in the 90s, England batters all averaged in the 30s, except for Thorpe and Smith, who weren't around at the same time.

[GarlicJam]

Though back in the 90s, England batters all averaged in the 30s, except for Thorpe and Smith, who weren't around at the same time.

That surprised me.

Smith earlier than Thorpe?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Yes. Smith was 88-96. Thorpe from 93-05. Obviously some overlap, but Smith was in and out towards the end.

[andy]

Not overly surprised they aren't going to change the batting line up they have invested in these guys all in preparation for this series so they won't admit they were wrong now...after the series I expect Crawley and pope to be discarded but they won't do it while the series is technically alive

[Arthur Crabtree]

Not much point bringing in Bethell. Though I'd still drop Crawley and either retain Jacks, or bring in Bethell anyway. A batter with Crawley's history can't be retained. You're investing in predictable failure. Who wants that?

[Durhamfootman]

Not much point bringing in Bethell. Though I'd still drop Crawley

120 runs in the last test. Only 9 less than honest Joe

only 17 less than honest Joe over the first two tests

[Arthur Crabtree]

Well, if you judge him over two Tests rather than 61. Even then, he's still averaging 30 in this series, worse than his career average. He has two ducks in two innings, and when he got starts, he didn't go on to make a crucial score.

Honest Joe averages 53. When he got in, he made it pay. And Crawley driving on the up on the fifth stump might as well be a training video for how to get out on Aussie pitches.

I'm not suggesting leaving out ZC because he is having a poor series, but because he is having a definitively bad career.

[backfootpunch]

Well, if you judge him over two Tests rather than 61. Even then, he's still averaging 30 in this series, worse than his career average. He has two ducks in two innings, and when he got starts, he didn't go on to make a crucial score.

Honest Joe averages 53. When he got in, he made it pay. And Crawley driving on the up on the fifth stump might as well be a training video for how to get out on Aussie pitches.

I'm not suggesting leaving out ZC because he is having a poor series, but because he is having a definitively bad career.

Crawley does have a pretty good record against australia

Pope on the other hand averages 18.71 against them with 0 50+ scores in 14 innings

Crawley averages 40 with 5 50+ scores

So id be dropping pope as he has the numbers of a tailender against them

[andy]

One change for England for the third test....tongue in for Atkinson, batting line up unchanged and jack's stays in ahead of badhir

[Arthur Crabtree]

Jacks' fca for bowling is 42. But then Bashir's is 50!

Shame about Atkinson, though I suppose all the pace bowlers will get rotated in the last three Tests.