Ashes 2025-26.

[Arthur Crabtree]

When Archer came into the England side it was claimed he could hold a bat... and he was hopeless. But since his recent return he's made a few useful scores.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Hundred partnership!

And first 2nd new ball for the Aussies in the series.

[Arthur Crabtree]

50 for Archer. Well done to him.

Lead under 100, but this really highlights what might have been possible.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Bedtime prediction. England 300 ao. Australia 220-2.

[GarlicJam]

Not often we can say that was England's session, but we can right now. Ironic that it was Archer who hung with Stokes for their century partnership, after the run-in they had yesterday.

[mikesiva]

Head gets a century!

Khawaja gets 40.

Who sits when Smith returns?

[GarlicJam]

Who sits when Smith returns?

Inglis, with Carey going back to batting at 7.

Weatherald would be next at risk, but surely he deserves at least the one more test. I think he is right for the series

[GarlicJam]

I am in an unfamiliar situation of feeling a bit sorry for Ben Stokes.

I'm sure I will get over it soon.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Inglis presumably. Maybe Khawaja.

[alfie]

At least not over in three days this time

Thought England showed a bit of fight at last today. Stokes/Archer with the bat showing what was possible on this track in the heat if you don't lose your top bats for peanuts to good but not unplayable bowling. And then the bowlers battled away hard ...hampered by the Stokes injury issues preventing him bowling , and Archer's understandable weariness. Best Carse has bowled ; and Tongue again showing he is a real wicket taking threat , if not exactly Mr Economy.
Jacks I'm afraid out of his depth , having to bowl long spells instead of just a few fill ins. Though with Bashir unselectable at present and frankly not a a mob of spinners beating the door down I am afraid that wasn't altogether unexpected.

That Carey/Head stand (and they really did play well ; measured , patient and ruthless) has killed it now. Going to be setting 500 I think and four sessions plus to bowl England out. They won't need all that ...

I will wait until the series is done before handing out termination notices. But will be a few exits from the squad then - as is generally the case after a tour of Australia.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Difficult to pick Bashir now. If he does ok it would make the selection for this Test indefensible.

I'm getting the impression his finger break is still a problem.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Given the series situation, do England have to chase whatever they are set, however futile? Traditionally, yes. But I think they would be justified in trying not to lose.

[andy]

Hard to really sum up feelings and thoughts right now...archer and stokes played so well yet shows how bad the rest of the side batted for archer to comfortably make a 50....then with the ball we are just incapable of bowling 2 balls in the same place...stokes was getting frustrated with jack's which I understand but at same time it isn't jack's fault he's been picked as a frontline spinner when he simply isn't one....assuming stokes has a niggle of some concern otherwise he surely would have bowled a long spell .....game over by lunch day 5 would have thought

[Arthur Crabtree]

The game for England now is to see how far into day 5 they can take this.

The image of a batting side that can chase anything has vanished.

[GarlicJam]

But will be a few exits from the squad then - as is generally the case after a tour of Australia.

a stat I read this morning reflected on this. It went something like of the 53 cricketers who have played test/s for England in Australia this century, 27 of them played their last test in Australia.