Cricket 2025

[malcolmw]

boys own stuff

Wonderful series. Nothing like a proper test series. None of this T20 bash 'n crash nonsense.

[andrewjohnsmith]

Great delighted for Broady

Brilliant spell of bowling

Shame about the rain in Manchester or we would have had the Ashes back

It was a great series. Every test was close bar one. Either team could have won 4-0. The only match that any team dominated was washed out.

[1964white]

Great delighted for Broady

Brilliant spell of bowling

Shame about the rain in Manchester or we would have had the Ashes back

Definitely mate

[1964white]

He'd spotted an unclaimed meat n tatie pie

[airedale]

Interesting timing. David Warner just reversed his own decision to retire

Wokes is his new nemesis

[andrewjohnsmith]

I think Broad just pips the player of the series on that too

Crawley and Khawaja have a shout. But Broad for me.

[andrewjohnsmith]

Wokes is his new nemesis

Woakes has been fantastic and does have Warner's number. But he only ever does it in England.

[Barlow Boy]

Not ashamed to say I got a tear in the eye there, fairytale stuff for Broad.

Absolutely incredible.

[malcolmw]

Wokes is his new nemesis

Broady may change his mind too after a few weeks at home changing crappy nappies.

[Barlow Boy]

Broady may change his mind too after a few weeks at home changing crappy nappies.

Dunno mate, he’s got Mollie King to help him.

[malcolmw]

I think Broad just pips the player of the series on that too

Crawley and Khawaja have a shout. But Broad for me.

Emotionally I agree. But logically I think it's skipper Stokes. Great captaincy and a couple of memorable innings with the bat.

[malcolmw]

Dunno mate, he’s got Mollie King to help him.

Hmmmm. Good point

[andrewjohnsmith]

Not ashamed to say I got a tear in the eye there, fairytale stuff for Broad.

Absolutely incredible.

Same

[andrewjohnsmith]

Emotionally I agree. But logically I think it's skipper Stokes. Great captaincy and a couple of memorable innings with the bat.

Well. You could still say his declaration cost us the first test. I'm still split on that one. But Root not out on a hundred. 20 or 30 runs could have won us (or drawn) the first test.

[malcolmw]

Well. You could still say his declaration cost us the first test. I'm still split on that one. But Root not out on a hundred. 20 or 30 runs could have won us (or drawn) the first test.

Being an objective saffer, I don't think that made a difference in the first test. I think the Oz bowlers had England's number there.

[Madron]

Wonderful series. Nothing like a proper test series. None of this T20 bash 'n crash nonsense.

Couldnt agree more. Always preferred proper cricket, which the slam ,bang, wallop stuff certainly isn't.

[andrewjohnsmith]

Couldnt agree more. Always preferred proper cricket, which the slam ,bang, wallop stuff certainly isn't.

Test cricket is the one true form of the game. Thanks to Stokes for making it exciting again. Hope the authorities will try to make a difference too - we've said a lot about over rates, weather impacts, etc.

I hope it continues to stay important

[andrewjohnsmith]

Moeen said no more test cricket too

Nothing from Anderson. Assuming Jimmy might feel like he should give it another year now. If he didn't feel that way already.

[WestgateRun]

It was an entertaining series, but in the final analysis Australia quickly went to 2-0 up against BazBall. Then they just needed a draw somewhere.
It will be interesting to see how England fare when they next play in Australia conditions, where the Aussie bowlers have a distinct advantage.

[weasel]

It was an entertaining series, but in the final analysis Australia quickly went to 2-0 up against BazBall. Then they just needed a draw somewhere.
It will be interesting to see how England fare when they next play in Australia conditions, where the Aussie bowlers have a distinct advantage.

Hopefully in that time we will have continued to develop. This team has come so far in such a short space of time. We adapted brilliantly to the conditions in Pakistan, albeit they are no Australia, and I am looking forward to the next ashes battle. Players like Crawley have come on so much this series and feel secure in the England set=up now so that they can play without distraction and play their best cricket.

Last season Crawley would give 5 chances away just to reach 20, his mind seemed cluttered and it also affected his catching which was diabolical. Now he knows exactly how he wants to play, whilst still giving some chances away is giving far less away and his catching has been superb, and very unlucky with a one handed grab yesterday.

Harry Brook I feel got a similarly cluttered mind early in the series. Too much outside noise, expert opinions etc, telling him how to play despite how many centuries he had compiled in such a quick time. His batting was affected but it seems he has started to play to his strengths again later in the series, ignoring the outside distractions.

The strength of this team is in allowing players to play the way that suits them best. Not trying to turn them into something they are not. Letting them play that way and backing them even when they fail. Letting them work it out for themselves, giving them advice and encouragement when needed and backing them and their ability to come through.