Ashes 2025-26.

[GarlicJam]

Brook is an idiot. So much skill, but not too much reserved for thinking.

[GarlicJam]

Brook is an idiot. So much skill, but not too much reserved for thinking.

that was posted 30 seconds before the delivery that dismissed him.

Which was to a very decent delivery, but I don't retract from my damning assessment of his thinking skills.

[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.

He has been the partnership breaker earlier, with his off-spin - though Brooks looked like he was ready to give his wicket to anyone.

[Durhamfootman]

I am disappointed in you lot.

That was very good theatre.

what was?

I've just got up

[Durhamfootman]

Does Head have time to knock these off today?

[Durhamfootman]

even part time bowlers who don't bowl much spin these days are too good for England it would seem

unless he's banging in slow ball long hops, of course

[Durhamfootman]

Does Head have time to knock these off today?

cr@pinfo says minimum 18 overs left

which means 5, probably, if they add half an hour on, so no he doesn't

[Gingerfinch]

Another 50 and we may have a game!

[GarlicJam]

I am disappointed in you lot.

That was very good theatre.

what was?

I've just got up

The lead up to, along with associated drama and feel-good factor, of Bethel's century.

[alfie]

Well apart from the obvious frustration , for an England supporter , at those brain fade wickets being donated yet again ; I enjoyed the day. England haven't simply rolled over and conceded an innings win as their predecessors often did at the end of a dispiriting series. Thanks mainly to Bethell they have taken the game to a fifth day and a nominal (very nominal !) chance to bring off a surprise . In a way that heightens the annoyance at the sacrificial offerings from Jacks and Smith ; but as the series is done anyway I prefer to take the joy from seeing Bethell announce himself as the real thing with a wonderful - and astonishingly mature - innings.

Honestly didn't give him any chance of producing that effort in Australia. After witnessing his awful series losing effort against India a few months gone , I wouldn't have had him near the squad. But he's proved me totally wrong as I freely admit. He has - unlike others - learned fast from his mistakes. Guess that means Stokes and McCullum knew better than a lot of us , at least in this case , no ?

The best thing about his innings was the maturity it showed. Prediction now is that he will captain England back here in 4 years and I hope I am around to see it.

Will leave overall analysis for after tomorrow. But holding to my view that the main thing hobbling England right now is the lack of experience among their playing group. Apart from Root and Stokes only players with too many problems of their own have played a lot of Tests - and it shows.

Hope for some fireworks tomorrow . But not really expecting anyone to channel Bob Willis and take 8 to skittle Australia. Just grateful for another day of Test cricket

[andy]

Well thoughts on the days play...Stokes going down was only a matter of time yes he did well to get through this far however his decision making when to bowl himself throughout the series has been baffling but yes a blow when he went down....that being said getting jack's on was then a masterstroke he bowled well and got wickets quickly which was important.....

The batting.....it's the hope that kills you....as always a collapse is always around the corner....jack's dismissal angered me to the point where I had to step away for 15 mins or so having undone all the hard work bethell was doing.....brook frustrated again he's so talented but his choice of shots is baffling and shows he is nowhere near mature enough to be test captain .....bethell what a knock! Yes it's a dead rubber however he finally got his chance and boy did he take it! Exceptional innings from a supremely talented bloke! Technically he looks solid calm composed and didn't get flustered at all! Hopefully he kicks on from here but wow what a knock just a shame rest of the side let him down ...

150 lead gives a fighting chance however if head gets away quickly then it's over anyway.....midway through the day it had the potential to be one of England's best days of the series and yet by the end of the day it's a case of another chance missed

[alfie]

Well thoughts on the days play...Stokes going down was only a matter of time yes he did well to get through this far however his decision making when to bowl himself throughout the series has been baffling but yes a blow when he went down....that being said getting jack's on was then a masterstroke he bowled well and got wickets quickly which was important.....

The batting.....it's the hope that kills you....as always a collapse is always around the corner....jack's dismissal angered me to the point where I had to step away for 15 mins or so having undone all the hard work bethell was doing.....brook frustrated again he's so talented but his choice of shots is baffling and shows he is nowhere near mature enough to be test captain .....bethell what a knock! Yes it's a dead rubber however he finally got his chance and boy did he take it! Exceptional innings from a supremely talented bloke! Technically he looks solid calm composed and didn't get flustered at all! Hopefully he kicks on from here but wow what a knock just a shame rest of the side let him down ...

150 lead gives a fighting chance however if head gets away quickly then it's over anyway.....midway through the day it had the potential to be one of England's best days of the series and yet by the end of the day it's a case of another chance missed

Agree with all that !

[Arthur Crabtree]

Great day for Webster. But a better one for Bethell. He'll remember his first fc century. Maybe reminiscent of Stokes making a breakthrough Test ton in losing Ashes series.

That runout looks like a killer. But expected England to lose today, and that hasn't happened.

[andy]

Great day for Webster. But a better one for Bethell. He'll remember his first fc century. Maybe reminiscent of Stokes making a breakthrough Test ton in losing Ashes series.

That runout looks like a killer. But expected England to lose today, and that hasn't happened.

Websters spin bowling is better than his seam up

[sussexpob]

Bethell had to ride his luck a bit early on, and then again at the end of the day. Boland asked some serious questions of him, he went at one early and edged through slip/gully gap and played and missed at a number of probing balls on tight lines. Nevertheless, his colleagues should take note. You bring luck on your side when you respond by playing properly, and not dance down the pitch and try to smash someone into row Z as soon as they land two consecutive balls on the mark.

Congratulations Jacob on your first 100, hopefully you can make a habit of proving me wrong in the coming series.