The Cricket Thread

[Hobbit]

Ashes 2025-26: How England lost latest Ashes series down under in just 11 days

BBC Sport chief cricket reporter Stephan Shemilt reveals the inside story of England's Ashes defeat in Australia on and off the pitch.

www.bbc.co.uk

Ouch.

Even before the series kicked off I was asking myself where are the matches against the state and representative sides? Where’s the warm up games, getting used to the conditions and rotating squad players?

The partying has happened on every tour, but I would have preferred to see a more intense playing schedule.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Even before the series kicked off I was asking myself where are the matches against the state and representative sides? Where’s the warm up games, getting used to the conditions and rotating squad players?

The partying has happened on every tour, but I would have preferred to see a more intense playing schedule.

I think those days are gone. An over loaded schedule means teams fly in a week or two before the first test, have a token game and then it begins. It's all very fast and furious as the saying goes. They have to fit in all of those vitally important one day and 20-20 games across the world

Remember the days when a touring team would play all of the counties in a summer? A distant memory now

 

[Billysboots]

I think those days are gone. An over loaded schedule means teams fly in a week or two before the first test, have a token game and then it begins. It's all very fast and furious as the saying goes. They have to fit in all of those vitally important one day and 20-20 games across the world

Remember the days when a touring team would play all of the counties in a summer? A distant memory now

Whilst I agree to a great extent, England took it to the opposite extreme. Totally undercooked going into the cauldron of an Ashes series in Australia.

Said it earlier in the series, it’s made even more unforgivable by the fact that we have some talent in that side, and the Australians have an aging squad. It should have been a far more even contest than it has been.

 

[Hobbit]

I think those days are gone. An over loaded schedule means teams fly in a week or two before the first test, have a token game and then it begins. It's all very fast and furious as the saying goes. They have to fit in all of those vitally important one day and 20-20 games across the world

Remember the days when a touring team would play all of the counties in a summer? A distant memory now

I agree, the intensity of the modern game wouldn’t accommodate the schedules of 40 years ago but, equally, there’s a need for competitive games in-country.

No doubt there’ll be another post-tour post mortum that’ll see another about turn. Where’s the continuity between coaches coming in. Not every idea or system from outgoing coaches is bad.

I don’t think the flip-flopping is helping.

As for which players are selected to tour, nothing has changed. If your face fits, you’re in.

 

[Neilds]

Whilst I agree to a great extent, England took it to the opposite extreme. Totally undercooked going into the cauldron of an Ashes series in Australia.

Said it earlier in the series, it’s made even more unforgivable by the fact that we have some talent in that side, and the Australians have an aging squad. It should have been a far more even contest than it has been.

As I mentioned previously, the problem started well before the ashes, players don’t play enough county cricket as they ‘need to rest’ between test series.

 

[venger]

Only Root, Brook and Archer should remain after this series (possibly Duckett & Carse but that’s a personal preference). Everybody else should have to justify their place.

I expect Stokes to fall on his sword and McCullem should be sacked as test coach

 

[Mudball]

so on the final day with nothing to lose... Smith and Wills show that what could have been possible. Why 11 days later. Now for the next two, Eng will just wake up and get a consolation win or a draw, and we will say atleast it is not 5-0.

The good old way of touring, where you go out and play a few 3 or 4 day matches against Presidents XI or others should be brought back. Simply chopping and changing a team because of performance is not going to change anyhting. The team needs time in the middle. If white ball specialists Smith & Wills can score a 100 between them... what is wrong with the red ball specialists?

 

[Wilson]

My brother lives in Oz, and this morning I woke up to these messages;

0302 - we may have a small chance, 2% but hope
0309 - 102 needed, 3wks left
0319 - 2wkts left
0336 - 1, don’t bother
0342 - lost

I’ve only seen Jamie Smith’s dismissal, I could face any more as I was off to golf and didn’t want to ruin my mood.