Ashes 2025-26.

[backfootpunch]

Apparently we have dropped 17 catches in this series

And 35 across the last 10 games

They should fire the fielding coach

Oh wait...

[GarlicJam]

Apparently we have dropped 17 catches in this series

The main difference in the result of the series, imo. Yes, there were many spells of ineffectual/wayward bowling - some from both sides, but England far more so - and there were plenty of examples of poor and brainless batting, but both teams showed that, England slightly more.

I don't know how many catches Australia has dropped over the series, but I would not think it was much more than most five test series - and on the whole, they have fielded very well. I cannot say the same for England, and more than a few of those drops really counted.

[Durhamfootman]

England have a couple of August Tests (v Pakistan) next summer, which isn't always the case.

But next it's NZ at Lord's. It'll be nice to be back in the comfort zone. Crawley is due a score...

They'll lose it because they won't have played any cricket since the ashes... except for Brook and maybe Archer who won't have played any cricket since the T20 world cup

[Durhamfootman]

Apparently we have dropped 17 catches in this series

The main difference in the result of the series, imo.

I tend to think that that is often the case

How often does catch dropping lead to heads dropping and how often do blinding catches or one stump run outs spark batting collapses? I can only think of one run out opportunity that England have managed to take and that was Carse in the last test...... which they went on to win btw... funny that

[Durhamfootman]

does anyone think that this series will make it past day 4, because I don't

[backfootpunch]

does anyone think that this series will make it past day 4, because I don't

If australia bat all day then yes
Surely unless crawley makes a hundred he wont be seen again

[Arthur Crabtree]

England have won 4-1 tosses. Which is usually a big advantage.

[Durhamfootman]

unless you're Nasser

[sussexpob]

Should be academic unless England bowl absolutely appallingly in this session, especially with the added time making up overs.... But at what stage do Australia declare assuming they get an option? 250 be enough? or would they push on as far as they can to make this a one innings game?

Bookie has Aussies at 2/9, with the draw around 4/1.... brilliant value on the draw, I'd have personally said that the draw was a much higher possibility.

[sussexpob]

Well that won't help England's cause. Stokes is limping off in pain, looks like a thigh or groin muscle has gone, and judging on the way he is walking off his series is done now unless he comes out a la Chris Woakes just to try and hang in for a few balls at the end ....

[sussexpob]

What will help the cause is the bleached Bradman nicking off to the keeper.... lead is 160, Australia down to 8

[Arthur Crabtree]

If that's his bowling over, only Carse has made it to the end of the series out of the five man pace attack picked for the first Test.

[Arthur Crabtree]

At least the England bowlers are probably done with bowling at Smith for the series. And maybe ever.

[sussexpob]

If that's his bowling over, only Carse has made it to the end of the series out of the five man pace attack picked for the first Test.

I will be amazed if he comes back on the field.

[backfootpunch]

My question would be, would archer, atkinson and stokes have all got injured if our spinner was actually a spinner and was trusted to bowl more when it gets flat