Ashes 2025-26.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Can go either way with Brook.

[GarlicJam]

Apparently Webster bowls part time off spin.

Yes, he does.

Years ago he was a batting all rounder that bowled off-spin, but could also bowl seam-up. A few years back he became a batting all rounder who is a handy medium-pacer. He hasn't bowled too much spin over the past few years, I think.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Good info.

I'm feeling England 270ao, Aussies 80-2.

[alfie]

Has been England's day , despite the three wickets in the opening fifteen overs. Bad light coming at a good time for Australia , with Root and Brook well on top , runs flowing and both Starc and Boland already having bowled a dozen or more overs. Neser has been OK but both Green and Webster have offered nothing except runs on a plate. Just one maiden , from Starc , in 45 overs ; so England have been able to go at 4.7 per over without much Bazballing...

Leaving out Murphy not looking such a great idea at the moment. rather looks as if both sides were stacking their batting - perhaps understandable after the scores in Melbourne ! Though I am not sure Bashir would have offered any sort of Secret Weapon for England had he been included , such were his performances in those Lions games and a lot of confidence destroying time on the sidelines.

No rain yet ; but imminent , it seems. Full covers on and lightning and thunder not far off. Any late watchers in UK can probably go back to bed...

[Arthur Crabtree]

Must be England's highest stand of the series. But ended by the weather.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Stumps. Generally hot and sunny for the rest of the game.

[Durhamfootman]

no spinners by either side

this has been the strangest string of pitches for such a showpiece series

decent first day for England

[Arthur Crabtree]

There's some discussion that the weather didn't justify the early abandonment

[sussexpob]

There's some discussion that the weather didn't justify the early abandonment

They have protocols about lightening strikes which err on the side of caution. Usually when lightening is present within a certain distance of the ground, you can't play.

[sussexpob]

Nice to see England have turned up to this series after it was lost though. I guess now Australia are down to their B attack and playing glorified friendlies, everyone can paper over some cracks.

[backfootpunch]

no spinners by either side

this has been the strangest string of pitches for such a showpiece series

decent first day for England

Funny how they waited for jimmy, broad and woakes to retire to produce green wickets

[meninblue]

211/3. England's day imo.

[Durhamfootman]

24 overs only in the first session, so 45 overs probably means they went off an hour before the scheduled close of play

[andy]

Extended opening session today with play starting half hour earlier

[GarlicJam]

Extended opening session today with play starting half hour earlier

I imagine that will happen each day now.