Ashes 2025-26.

[bigfluffylemon]

I had a feeling we might sneak one after the pressure was off. Glad we've avoided 5-0 and arrested the run of losses. But FFS the second 2 day rest of the series. Pitches like this might as well be a lottery.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Looks like we may have won one. A bit late now but at least we have shown some heart and not succumbed to a 5-0!

Shame it's not a seven Test series.

Might not do much for his average, but that looks a crucial contribution from Bethell. And great that Carse took a nice little 4-fer while the commentators were giving him a kicking.

Winning a dead rubber takes me back to the nineties. Whereas in recent times England tend to get wiped out. Though I enjoyed it more when it was Angus Fraser conjuring up a late miracle.

And it was more exciting when the Aussies were falling short of a small target.

[alfie]

Yes a little too late ... Cook summed it up fairly as "Bittersweet" .

But reckon you have to admire the fact that they were able to lift despite the disappointment of the 0-3 and all the overdone media pile on over drinks on the days off. Took a bit of character to get back on the horse and wrestle this one away , even after taking a bit of a bath on first innings.

As you say , Arthur , good for Carse today. I've been very critical of him (not unfairly , I think) ; but I am certainly ready to give him the Lionheart Award for the way he keeps giving it maximum effort all the time . Looks like he will be doing so for all five matches which will be quite an effort. Be nice if he could cut out a few of the four balls but credit where it is due...

Bethell some redemption for his bad meltdown against India in that failed chase a few months ago : might well have preyed on his mind coming in to this one but he stood up when it counted and played a vital innings. Crawley a fine knock , mixed aggression with more than usual steadiness while Duckett just did Duckett. And PoTM for Tongue well deserved : his seven for the match on top of his good efforts in Adelaide arguably makes him England's most impressive bowler all round.

Doesn't make up for the 0-3 of course. But some good signs and a bit of joy for the travelling fans who deserve it for their wholehearted support. Few pubs around here will be busy tonight. Not even going to complain because I had initially planned to go in on day three

[Arthur Crabtree]

Bad luck. Two day Tests really shouldn't happen. Even if we can't blame it all on the groundstaff.

[meninblue]

2019–2021 WTC - NZ won finals against IND
2021–2023 WTC - AUS won finals against IND
2023–2025 WTC - SA won finals against AUS
2025–2027 WTC - Current

India has fallen way behind after reaching finals twice in first two WTC cycles. Australia is likely to reach the finals for third time.

This England win is included in the below numbers of the current WTC cycle.


Rankings: (1) Australia, (2) New Zealand, (3) South Africa, (4) Sri Lanka, (5) Pakistan, (6) India, (7) England , (8) Bangladesh, (9) West Indies.

Australia: Played 7,Won 6,Lost 1

New Zealand: Played 3,Won 2,Lost 0

South Africa: Played 4,Won 3,Lost1

Sri Lanka: Played 2,Won 1,Lost 0

Pakistan: Played 2,Won 1,Lost 1

India : Played 9,Won 4,Lost 4

England: Played 9,Won 3,Lost 5

Bangladesh :Played 2,Won 0,Lost 1

West Indies :Played 8,Won 0,Lost 7

[backfootpunch]

I make that 2-1 to australia

The 3rd test of course doesnt count due to the snicko errors all favouring australia.

[Arthur Crabtree]

England retain the moral Ashes...?

[Durhamfootman]

Vaughan saying Robinson should be playing!

Can't remember him saying this before the series.

Heresy.... he says it all the time. his second most popular word after 'gin'

[Durhamfootman]

so..... crushed in Perth, thumped in Brisbane, beaten in Adelaide, nicked one back in Melbourne.... Sydney?

Thank goodness McC thinks England 'over prepared, if anything'

Hazlewood didn't make the series, Cummins managed one game, Lyon two. Wood lasted a session, Archer fell at the third hurdle and Gus at the fourth. Bloodbath for the bowlers. Shows how well Starc, Boland, Carse and Stokes have done, just to stay in the game

[Arthur Crabtree]

And Atkinson looks like a doubt for the NY Test. Presumably Pozzo will be the replacement. I've been waiting for him to turn up all series.

Will Bashir come in for Jacks?

[Durhamfootman]

And Atkinson looks like a doubt for the NY Test. Presumably Pozzo will be the replacement. I've been waiting for him to turn up all series.

Will Bashir come in for Jacks?

Potts is probably the only one left

will Australia pick a spinner?

[Durhamfootman]

interesting that the much maligned Crawley is now England's top scorer in the series and the much maligned Carse, their top wicket taker

I know he bagged a few day 2 runs, but Duckett's innings looked horrible. Despite Starc giving him a few leg side freebies early doors he just looked frantic at the crease. Edges everywhere and his (successful) decision to go for the reverse ramp pelican helicopter scoop straight after horribly scuffing a few balls showed to me just how desperate he was feeling at the crease. The first good yorker cleaned him out, spare, strike, neck and crop. There's a fair bit of re-building to do there I think, once this series is over. I'll bet you that England release him to play for Notts for most of the early 2026 county season, instead of the token one appearance he made in 2025

[backfootpunch]

interesting that the much maligned Crawley is now England's top scorer in the series and the much maligned Carse, their top wicket taker

I know he bagged a few day 2 runs, but Duckett's innings looked horrible. Despite Starc giving him a few leg side freebies early doors he just looked frantic at the crease. Edges everywhere and his (successful) decision to go for the reverse ramp pelican helicopter scoop straight after horribly scuffing a few balls showed to me just how desperate he was feeling at the crease. The first good yorker cleaned him out, spare, strike, neck and crop. There's a fair bit of re-building to do there I think, once this series is over. I'll bet you that England release him to play for Notts for most of the early 2026 county season, instead of the token one appearance he made in 2025

He will probably be playing in some t20 tournament instead of playing county championship

[GarlicJam]

interesting that the much maligned Crawley is now England's top scorer in the series and the much maligned Carse, their top wicket taker

I was noticing Carse's wicket tally yesterday, and saw that the average was getting down to a respectable-looking 28-ish.

That average is not down to good bowling - though he did look good yesterday (and day one in Perth) - but a reflection of how low scores have been this series.

[Arthur Crabtree]

interesting that the much maligned Crawley is now England's top scorer in the series

But I'm not sure the plan to keep Crawley in the side for the past 3 years because he will be a natural on Aussie pitches has come to fruition. The batting from 1->11 has been calamitous. Crawley has had a poor series, but his failure doesn't stand out because everyone else is having a nightmare too.