Amazon Search and Bookmark
AFFILIATE SEARCH | Shop Amazon.co.uk using this search bar and support WHO!

The Ashes.

Forum area for all things that are non-football.
Forum rules
Whilst 'off-topic' means all non-football topics can be discussed. This is not a free for all. Rights to this area of the forum aren't implicit, and illegal, defamator, spammy or absuive topics will be removed, with the protagonist's sanctioned.
Post Reply
only1billybonds
Posts: 2470
Old WHO Number: 217810
Has liked: 606 times
Been liked: 898 times

The Ashes.

Post only1billybonds »

Just been announced that Josh Hazlewood will miss the first test due to start in Perth next Friday. This is a big blow to the Australians as they will already be without their captain and no.1 pace bowler Pat Cummins.

Englands preparations for the tour has been questioned by many as they have opted to play no warm up games aside from a one off against the English lions. 

Many are saying that its crucial that we get of to a good start in Perth which basically means we cant afford to lose seeing as the 2nd test in Brisbane is a day/night game ( fucking ridiculous) where the Aussies are strongly fancied.

Looking forward to this now but really unsure of how it will play out, I guess I'd still make them slight favourites due to home advantage. Going to be a few all nighters in the coming weeks for me, let's hope it'll be worth it.
Fauxstralian
Posts: 3965
Old WHO Number: 321173
Has liked: 68 times
Been liked: 544 times

Re: The Ashes.

Post Fauxstralian »

Khawaja turns 39 during the Test and has been left out. Probably the end for him. 
Wetherald & Head to open & Josh Inglis retains his place
Cummins & Lyon in for Doggett & Neser as expected

Big Bash has now started so no opportunity for anyone to force their way in with red ball performances 
Perth Scorchers open with a win in a shortened game against Sydney Sixers with future Test player Cooper Connolly getting them home 
User avatar
zebthecat
Posts: 1946
Old WHO Number: 16911
Has liked: 424 times
Been liked: 262 times

Re: The Ashes.

Post zebthecat »

Westham67 wrote: 15 Dec 2025, 09:39 The only change is Tounge in for Atkinson
As ever with England when the batting fails repeatedly they drop a a bowler of course. 
Fauxstralian
Posts: 3965
Old WHO Number: 321173
Has liked: 68 times
Been liked: 544 times

Re: The Ashes.

Post Fauxstralian »

Pope carries on & Bashir sits and watches
Adelaide tends not to be as lively as Perth & Brisbane. 
Believe Lyon has the most Test wickets at Adelaide of any of the Australian attack & should be some spin later in the Test
Forecast for Day 1 is 36 degrees & 39 for Day 2 so pitch should dry out nicely 
Australian team not announced yet
Westham67
Posts: 742
Location: UK
Old WHO Number: 20994
Has liked: 119 times
Been liked: 58 times
Contact:

Re: The Ashes.

Post Westham67 »

The only change is Tounge in for Atkinson
Monsieur merde de cheval
Posts: 1974
Has liked: 1249 times
Been liked: 657 times

Re: The Ashes.

Post Monsieur merde de cheval »

southbankbornnbred wrote: 13 Dec 2025, 12:11 Definitely Archer, Tongue and Stokes as three of the seamers in the next test. But Atkinson and Carse have been off form (Atkinson more than Carse) and haven't bowled the right lengths on Aussie wickets. Not sure who you pick as the 4th seamer. Probably got to play a spinner in Adelaide, too, but the options are shit because of the obsession with Brand Baaz. I guess that will be Jacks, who is not a red-ball bowler (he averages 42 per wicket in the domestic multi-day game).

Bashir has been a waste of a plane ticket.

This has been a plastic toy tour never to be repeated.
Anyone but the Jamaican...his hearts not in it...he couldn't give a monkeys..and why should he .
He's also made of balsa wood
Monsieur merde de cheval
Posts: 1974
Has liked: 1249 times
Been liked: 657 times

Re: The Ashes.

Post Monsieur merde de cheval »

Far Cough UKunt" wrote: 13 Dec 2025, 15:58 What a sad sad cսnt Ian Chappell was and still is
 
Hes no man in the proper sense is he.
 
Monsieur merde de cheval
Posts: 1974
Has liked: 1249 times
Been liked: 657 times

Re: The Ashes.

Post Monsieur merde de cheval »

[quote=Westham67 post_id=502310 time=1765717242 user_id=9865]
The England team and coaches have all been downing Bazball Kool-Aid between tests. Unlikely a change of batting line-up and no change of approach, they need to execute their plan better than the last four batting shit show
[/quote]
[justify]Well the delicate little  darlings have now  had their nice little break with their families...now back to what they're paid very handsomely to do...play a game of competitive test cricket ...
I won't hold my breath like[/justify]
Monsieur merde de cheval
Posts: 1974
Has liked: 1249 times
Been liked: 657 times

Re: The Ashes.

Post Monsieur merde de cheval »

Far Cough UKunt" wrote: 13 Dec 2025, 15:58 What a sad sad cսnt Ian Chappell was and still is
Thing is ,these double hard Aussies are alll of  the same ilk.
stand up for yourself and they don't wanna know..if you play up to their image of a pom...they'll skin you alive
Westham67
Posts: 742
Location: UK
Old WHO Number: 20994
Has liked: 119 times
Been liked: 58 times
Contact:

Re: The Ashes.

Post Westham67 »

The England team and coaches have all been downing Bazball Kool-Aid between tests. Unlikely a change of batting line-up and no change of approach, they need to execute their plan better than the last four batting shit show
User avatar
Far Cough UKunt
Posts: 1858
Has liked: 472 times
Been liked: 777 times

Re: The Ashes.

Post Far Cough UKunt »

What a sad sad cսnt Ian Chappell was and still is
Eerie Decent
Posts: 1090
Has liked: 172 times
Been liked: 507 times

Re: The Ashes.

Post Eerie Decent »

When.Jacks has concentrated on red ball in CC seasons, he's actually done a pretty good job asked of him with the ball. He should probably have been the one England really invested in as the spinner, rather than Bashir, who has not been able able to regularly in a CC team, let alone perform well at any time.
southbankbornnbred
Posts: 1567
Old WHO Number: 14766
Has liked: 395 times
Been liked: 610 times

Re: The Ashes.

Post southbankbornnbred »

Definitely Archer, Tongue and Stokes as three of the seamers in the next test. But Atkinson and Carse have been off form (Atkinson more than Carse) and haven't bowled the right lengths on Aussie wickets. Not sure who you pick as the 4th seamer. Probably got to play a spinner in Adelaide, too, but the options are shit because of the obsession with Brand Baaz. I guess that will be Jacks, who is not a red-ball bowler (he averages 42 per wicket in the domestic multi-day game).

Bashir has been a waste of a plane ticket.

This has been a plastic toy tour never to be repeated.
Monsieur merde de cheval
Posts: 1974
Has liked: 1249 times
Been liked: 657 times

Re: The Ashes.

Post Monsieur merde de cheval »

only1billybonds wrote: 12 Dec 2025, 18:55 Never knew swanky was so good at these.



Yea he can be a  funny cսnt on the sly.....
Monsieur merde de cheval
Posts: 1974
Has liked: 1249 times
Been liked: 657 times

Re: The Ashes.

Post Monsieur merde de cheval »

Django wrote: 09 Dec 2025, 10:37
Eerie Decent" wrote: 09 Dec 2025, 10:27 As we've seen so far, all out pace hasn't really been what's needed on current Aussie pitches. The irony of us in the past going there with Broad & Anderson, neither of whom were naturally suited to their pitches of old, they'd have a field day now.

The only chance we've got of salvaging some pride is sticking Potts in for some control, and Tongue with the hope that he is on point, along with Archer he's the most talented bowler we have.

Those digging into Smith, have to realise that he has never played a pink ball game in his life, and he's up against a team who are the best with it. He looked good in the 1st Test first innings, and got a peach of a delivery in the second, he will be a top batsman but he shouldn't have the gloves, I said that before the series started, but it's too late to change that.

Duckett I also said would probably struggle down there, but he has plenty of credit in the bank. Brook needs to have a proper rethink about what he's doing, ignore the pillock about RUNNING TOWARDS THE DANGER and just bat naturally, aggressive but when the time is right. Stokes probably has the best defensive technique in the side, and will really have the bit between the teeth now, so I'd move him to 3, Pope is absolutely shot to bits. They aren't going to change Crawley after he made some sort of score, but they need to change something, so I'd go with..

Crawley
Duckett
Stokes
Root
Brook
Smith (wk)
Bethell
Jacks
Potts
Archer
Tongue

Bethell & Jacks at 7&8 could be a bit game changing. Desperate times, so we need to do something a bit different. Expect the same team though, with maybe Tongue replacing the Saffa the only change.
Makes sense. I do worry about Potts from consistency perspective but he does tend to pick up wickets. I’d probably leave Atkinson in and drop Carse for Potts. 
Id have POTTS over CARSE all day long...not that it  matters .now ..we're done .
Id try REW now , see how he gets on
only1billybonds
Posts: 2470
Old WHO Number: 217810
Has liked: 606 times
Been liked: 898 times

Re: The Ashes.

Post only1billybonds »

Never knew swanky was so good at these.



Westham67
Posts: 742
Location: UK
Old WHO Number: 20994
Has liked: 119 times
Been liked: 58 times
Contact:

Re: The Ashes.

Post Westham67 »

zebthecat wrote: 11 Dec 2025, 11:13
violator wrote: 11 Dec 2025, 10:57
Westham67 wrote: 10 Dec 2025, 15:30
Shoaib is one of the chosen men kept in the squad and team, like Crawley, for this Ashes. Jacks has a better average than Shoaib for bowling 38 and 39, respectively, and can bat, whereas Shoaib is a rabbit. Root is also an off-spinner and has an average of 47, but brings the experience of a former England captain to the table. 

Vauhan suggests Stokes coming in at one down, and I agree
The openers pick themselves

3. Stokes
4 Root
5 Brooks
6 Bethell 
7 Smith (I feel sorry for him, his confidence is shot)
8  Jacks
9  Atkinson
10. Archer ( For his 38)
11, Tongue 
I'd take Rew out of the Lions squad and play him as a specialist batsman way before considering Bethell
I assume you mean James rather than Tom.
He would be handy cover as a keeper as well. At least he keeps for his county.
I wouldn't know, mate, I only watch or listen to test cricket nowadays. My favourite of all sports, the 5-day game or potentially 15 sessions. I went to WACA in 1999 for Australia v Pakistan. I was so pissed I couldn't remember what happened or who won, lost or drew, and I am not about to Google it
User avatar
zebthecat
Posts: 1946
Old WHO Number: 16911
Has liked: 424 times
Been liked: 262 times

Re: The Ashes.

Post zebthecat »

violator wrote: 11 Dec 2025, 10:57
Westham67 wrote: 10 Dec 2025, 15:30
zebthecat wrote: 10 Dec 2025, 13:58 I doubt Bashir will get in as he is coming off the back of 0-115 at five an over against Australia A but you never know with this England set-up.



 
Shoaib is one of the chosen men kept in the squad and team, like Crawley, for this Ashes. Jacks has a better average than Shoaib for bowling 38 and 39, respectively, and can bat, whereas Shoaib is a rabbit. Root is also an off-spinner and has an average of 47, but brings the experience of a former England captain to the table. 

Vauhan suggests Stokes coming in at one down, and I agree
The openers pick themselves

3. Stokes
4 Root
5 Brooks
6 Bethell 
7 Smith (I feel sorry for him, his confidence is shot)
8  Jacks
9  Atkinson
10. Archer ( For his 38)
11, Tongue 
I'd take Rew out of the Lions squad and play him as a specialist batsman way before considering Bethell
I assume you mean James rather than Tom.
He would be handy cover as a keeper as well. At least he keeps for his county.
violator
Posts: 794
Old WHO Number: 15360
Has liked: 258 times
Been liked: 254 times

Re: The Ashes.

Post violator »

Westham67 wrote: 10 Dec 2025, 15:30
zebthecat wrote: 10 Dec 2025, 13:58 I doubt Bashir will get in as he is coming off the back of 0-115 at five an over against Australia A but you never know with this England set-up.


 
Shoaib is one of the chosen men kept in the squad and team, like Crawley, for this Ashes. Jacks has a better average than Shoaib for bowling 38 and 39, respectively, and can bat, whereas Shoaib is a rabbit. Root is also an off-spinner and has an average of 47, but brings the experience of a former England captain to the table. 

Vauhan suggests Stokes coming in at one down, and I agree
The openers pick themselves

3. Stokes
4 Root
5 Brooks
6 Bethell 
7 Smith (I feel sorry for him, his confidence is shot)
8  Jacks
9  Atkinson
10. Archer ( For his 38)
11, Tongue 
I'd take Rew out of the Lions squad and play him as a specialist batsman way before considering Bethell
Fauxstralian
Posts: 3965
Old WHO Number: 321173
Has liked: 68 times
Been liked: 544 times

Re: The Ashes.

Post Fauxstralian »

Given Jacks was one of the few to show some grit with the bat in the second innings at Brisbane think it’s VERY unlikely they will sacrifice him for the doubtful advantage of his bowling being more effective 

I see Jhye Richardson has been added to the Australian group to be a net bowler at Adelaide after taking 5 wickets against the Lions in Brisbane
Hopefully he has finally recovered from his endless injuries. Has a Test bowling average of 22 and think by the time they go to England in 2027 when Starc Hazlewood & Lyon will be gone the pace attack could be Cummins Richardson & Fergus O’Neill with the perennially injured Lance Morris also available 
Eerie Decent
Posts: 1090
Has liked: 172 times
Been liked: 507 times

Re: The Ashes.

Post Eerie Decent »

Bashir has never been in form when they've picked him, in fact, he has never been in form in his life, so that is certainly not going to be the deciding factor on whether he plays or not.

I'm hoping not, but he is a Stokes favourite, got a horrible feeling he'll stick him in.
Fauxstralian
Posts: 3965
Old WHO Number: 321173
Has liked: 68 times
Been liked: 544 times

Re: The Ashes.

Post Fauxstralian »

They put 2 years into Bashir and he got that broken finger v India so hasn’t played a serious game for a long time
Obviously his form on the tour has been abysmal so the selection of Jacks as a batsman who bowls a bit to become the spinner became the strategy. 
Does that mean they are going to start again next summer trying to find a PROPER Test standard spinner? Who knows especially as there is a fair chance the Kiwi coach will get the sack soon

Think it’s almost certain Pope will get the elbow for Adelaide
Him and one of the fast bowlers maybe might be the only changes 
Australia will bring back Cummins & Lyon for Doggett & Neser and most likely bring back Khawaja (a backward step in my eyes) with Head dropping back to 5 on his home ground & Inglis missing out.
Westham67
Posts: 742
Location: UK
Old WHO Number: 20994
Has liked: 119 times
Been liked: 58 times
Contact:

Re: The Ashes.

Post Westham67 »

zebthecat wrote: 10 Dec 2025, 13:58 I doubt Bashir will get in as he is coming off the back of 0-115 at five an over against Australia A but you never know with this England set-up.

 
Shoaib is one of the chosen men kept in the squad and team, like Crawley, for this Ashes. Jacks has a better average than Shoaib for bowling 38 and 39, respectively, and can bat, whereas Shoaib is a rabbit. Root is also an off-spinner and has an average of 47, but brings the experience of a former England captain to the table. 

Vauhan suggests Stokes coming in at one down, and I agree
The openers pick themselves

3. Stokes
4 Root
5 Brooks
6 Bethell 
7 Smith (I feel sorry for him, his confidence is shot)
8  Jacks
9  Atkinson
10. Archer ( For his 38)
11, Tongue 
only1billybonds
Posts: 2470
Old WHO Number: 217810
Has liked: 606 times
Been liked: 898 times

Re: The Ashes.

Post only1billybonds »

ED.

Yea can see that. Crawley's two knocks in Brisbane may have bought him some whereas Pope begging to get given out every time he goes out to bat.
User avatar
zebthecat
Posts: 1946
Old WHO Number: 16911
Has liked: 424 times
Been liked: 262 times

Re: The Ashes.

Post zebthecat »

I doubt Bashir will get in as he is coming off the back of 0-115 at five an over against Australia A but you never know with this England set-up.
Post Reply