The Ashes 25/26

[Lionator]

1 hour ago, RowlattsFox said:

Why is it so bloody hard to win a test match in Australia? A single test, let alone a series. 

 

It fells different this time because there was expectation but its failed to deliver. 

 

Batters have let us down, don't win matches without big scores. 

It’s not actually that tough these days, India have done it often, even the West Indies won there a couple of years back. They’ve raised their game slightly and Starc has been the main point of difference between the two teams. 

[leicsmac]

Also, the Aussies are - team, press, people - brutal winners and even worse losers. 

 

They don't do magnanimous. Never have. That kind of soulless bastardry is another thing that helps make them that good. 

[The boy Linacre]

On 18/12/2025 at 21:27, AKCJ said:

Cummins has Root's number for sure.

 

He's the only bowler i've seen get in his head consistently.

TBF  to him, he comes in so early abroad at no 4 in comparison to home it’s so much harder for him, especially now.

[Corky]

4 minutes ago, leicsmac said:

Also, the Aussies are - team, press, people - brutal winners and even worse losers. 

 

They don't do magnanimous. Never have. That kind of soulless bastardry is another thing that helps make them that good. 

They made a fuss after losing in 1933 and we refuse to pick our match winning bowler again. 

 

We are too interested in appearing to play "the right way". No surprise the players who are popular or at least respected over there are Botham, Broad etc who had an edge and little respect.

[The boy Linacre]

21 hours ago, STEVIE B said:

I don't think the Aussies have needed much of a plan for any of our batters.

They've just stuck to the basics of a decent line & length. They've also realised England have little patience & big egos. 

I’ve been here for a day in Brisbane, 1st 2 in Adelaide & 1st 2 in MCG & SCG.

Aside from Perth, after 1st innings, we have NEVER been ahead of the game, bowling has been inaccurate to a great extent, batting always has 3 or 4 giveaway wickets each innings, I mean 5 dropped catches in Brisbane & Smiths was a dolly.

Brooks drop of head hard but….

What did we lose by, what was the difference. Between Heads 170;& 99????

Edited 21 December 2025 by The boy Linacre

[leicsmac]

4 minutes ago, Corky said:

They made a fuss after losing in 1933 and we refuse to pick our match winning bowler again. 

 

We are too interested in appearing to play "the right way". No surprise the players who are popular or at least respected over there are Botham, Broad etc who had an edge and little respect.

Was about to mention something along those lines - Jardine succeeded about a century ago by outscoring them in the ruthless bastard stakes to the point that they kicked up a diplomatic storm about it. And to be fair to him, Jardine didn't back down and the end result was a convincing victory despite Aus having the greatest bat ever to draw breath available. 

 

It's either that or the 2010 approach - a group of great players who were ideally prepared, ideally trained and ideally led and just got on with the job. 

[CL Fox]

1 hour ago, leicsmac said:

Also, the Aussies are - team, press, people - brutal winners and even worse losers. 

 

They don't do magnanimous. Never have. That kind of soulless bastardry is another thing that helps make them that good. 

They dont really do humour or sarcasm either. 

[CL Fox]

1 hour ago, leicsmac said:

Also, the Aussies are - team, press, people - brutal winners and even worse losers. 

 

They don't do magnanimous. Never have. That kind of soulless bastardry is another thing that helps make them that good. 

They dont really do humour or sarcasm either. 

[The Year Of The Fox]

3 hours ago, Lionator said:

I understand your frustration but this is a once in a lifetime trip for many, they’re with mates, parents, kids etc. They're not going to stand there booing the team off are they, they’re still England fans at the end of the day. LCFC on the other hand is not a once in a lifetime experience, and it’s complete negligence. Australia are good at cricket and there’s no shame in losing to them, the issue was always the hubris and arrogance that we could smash them.

The majority of people I spoke to are regulars doing it every four years 

[purpleronnie]

8 minutes ago, CL Fox said:

They dont really do humour or sarcasm either. 

The aussies don't do Sarcasm or humour?, Oh come on now

[purpleronnie]

1 hour ago, Corky said:

They made a fuss after losing in 1933 and we refuse to pick our match winning bowler again. 

 

We are too interested in appearing to play "the right way". No surprise the players who are popular or at least respected over there are Botham, Broad etc who had an edge and little respect.

Yep I've said this fopr many years, its a mentality thing, often the two teams are equally matched (no this time) but we often lack that mental strength when it matters, same with the football national side.  Not sure you can teach that though, its either part of you or it's not.

[Manley Farrington-Brown]

1 hour ago, leicsmac said:

Was about to mention something along those lines - Jardine succeeded about a century ago by outscoring them in the ruthless bastard stakes to the point that they kicked up a diplomatic storm about it. And to be fair to him, Jardine didn't back down and the end result was a convincing victory despite Aus having the greatest bat ever to draw breath available

It was all a bit more nuanced than that. The England team were by no means unanimous in supporting Bodyline (some of them loathed the tactic), and some Australian players took the attitude that there's no point making a fuss, we just need to get on with it. The 'diplomatic incident' wasn't something that the Australia team were in favour of at all.

[Manley Farrington-Brown]

The England team would look less silly right now if they hadn't spent the last couple of years shrugging off any setbacks as not mattering because it's all about preparing for the Ashes.

[CL Fox]

1 hour ago, purpleronnie said:

The aussies don't do Sarcasm or humour?, Oh come on now

Sorry I should re-phrase it. They're just not funny - see The Grade cricketer, 28 year old male and any other 30 something bloke attempting humour in Australia.....and ive got Australian family who'd agree with me.

[STEVIE B]

4 hours ago, Super_horns said:

Well wasn’t quite as heavy as I thought it might be but rather convincing in the end .

 

Few key moments and extra runs after dropped catches and fortunate decisions making the difference 

 

This sort of off field stuff often comes out after a bad collection of defeats.

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/c79xynw7e39o

I read that earlier. Pretty damning & probably not a good read for the hierarchy. I know it's his opinion, but it probably hits the mark tbh. 

[Voll Blau]

5 minutes ago, CL Fox said:

Sorry I should re-phrase it. They're just not funny - see The Grade cricketer, 28 year old male and any other 30 something bloke attempting humour in Australia.....and ive got Australian family who'd agree with me.

TGC are pretty self-aware. They're usually very good at both playing up to the Aussie stereotypes and pointing out how ridiculous they are at the same time.

 

I do enjoy giving them a listen but reckon it'd be too painful to do today's episode.

[leicsmac]

1 hour ago, Manley Farrington-Brown said:

It was all a bit more nuanced than that. The England team were by no means unanimous in supporting Bodyline (some of them loathed the tactic), and some Australian players took the attitude that there's no point making a fuss, we just need to get on with it. The 'diplomatic incident' wasn't something that the Australia team were in favour of at all.

Yeah, fair play.

 

I do think that the point about matching the Aussies in kind in terms of ruthlessness stands, though.

[st albans fox]

3 hours ago, The boy Linacre said:

I’ve been here for a day in Brisbane, 1st 2 in Adelaide & 1st 2 in MCG & SCG.

Aside from Perth, after 1st innings, we have NEVER been ahead of the game, bowling has been inaccurate to a great extent, batting always has 3 or 4 giveaway wickets each innings, I mean 5 dropped catches in Brisbane & Smiths was a dolly.

Brooks drop of head hard but….

What did we lose by, what was the difference. Between Heads 170;& 99????

But we never made them really work for it.  If we had applied ourselves better then perhaps they would have dug deeper ?  they barely had to get out of second gear. 

[Aleksz]

Genuinely think we’d of done it last night had Smith not had the rush of blood to the head after two boundaries. Loads of coulda woulda shoulda’s over the course of the test. Top order barring Crawley should be ashamed, it was well and truly there to win yet again. 

Edited 21 December 2025 by Aleksz

[Voll Blau]

George Dobell speaking sense as usual...

 

 

[Manley Farrington-Brown]

1 hour ago, leicsmac said:

Yeah, fair play.

 

I do think that the point about matching the Aussies in kind in terms of ruthlessness stands, though.

It does, absolutely.

Although it is easier to be ruthless cricketers when you're better at cricket!

[Corky]

I'm not against non-players being involved but this pair on TNT have been woeful. 

[Tommy Fresh]

8 hours ago, Lionator said:

It’s not actually that tough these days, India have done it often, even the West Indies won there a couple of years back. They’ve raised their game slightly and Starc has been the main point of difference between the two teams. 

The other day you were saying how hard it was 

[Super_horns]

Guess they are resting Cummins having won the series and obviously Lyon is injured .

 

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ashes-2025-26-murphy-richardson-called-up-for-boxing-day-lyon-set-for-surgery-1516804

Think there is a lesson for all here .

Be organised
Train well
Adjust to the conditions
Don’t be complacent
No need to rile the opposition up

I think a lot thought we just had to turn up and not change a lot.

Edited 23 December 2025 by Super_horns

[Aleksz]

Not a great video knocking around on twitter of Duckett absolutely a***holed in Noosa  

Edited 23 December 2025 by Aleksz