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England Cricket 2025
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3-0 Aussies or 3-1 with us winning a dead rubber.Hopefully we take it longer than 11 days or whatever the thrashing was a while back.0
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With the possible exception of one or two, all of Australia's 15-man squad for the first Test are playing in the current round of Sheffield Shield matches. What a waste of energy and time.
Meanwhile our boys, having been over burdened with game after game in Australian conditions in the last couple of months, are relaxing on the beach and golf course so they are fully tuned up and mentally in the right place for the First Test in 11 days time.
The batter's overwhelming success in the recent ODI series only serves to confirm that there is no need for them to do anything too serious. So the squad might, providing they can fit it in, have a hit in the nets or even venture to the middle for a fun game against each other and with the Lions to make up the numbers - right handers will be forced to bat left handed (and vice-versa) and our quicks will be expected to bowl spin.3 -
I don't think there's a very close correlation between the number of warm-up games England play before an away Ashes series and the success of the team in the series.
2013-14 - three warm-up matches, result Australia 5-0 England
2017-18 - four warm-up matches, result Australia 4-0 England
2021-22 - two warm-up games, result Australia 4-0 England
I can certainly see that there are lots of calls for England to schedule more matches. But when those matches comprise low-quality, players playing in unfamiliar roles (Joe Root keeping wicket, for instance!) and meaningless result-avoidance, there's also a strong argument to say just playing lots of games isn't the ideal preparation.
At some point, coaches need to trust players to ensure they're properly prepared. After all, they're experienced, professional, adult players. We might find out that just one, concentrated match against young players from England, all desperate to prove themselves against the elite team, turns out to be good prep for a a Test. And that one Test is the best preparation for the subsequent one, and so on...0 -
Just realised the 1st Test starts before we play our next league game !2
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Zulu said:Just realised the 1st Test starts before we play our next league game !
Should be able to get a couple of hours kip between the end of the first day's play and the Southampton game!0 -
Start of play is 2:30am, so the second session will start at 5:10am and the final session at 7:30am. Not sure what time I'll get up.
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just don't know if I can justify paying for BT Sport when barely gonna see any live cricket0
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i'm def going to watch the first session at least0
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I'll try to watch at least the first 2 sessions. Then off to bed until 12.00 ish, just in time to put the tv back on again to watch our game.0
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Expecting rain ?MrOneLung said:just don't know if I can justify paying for BT Sport when barely gonna see any live cricket0 -
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The Day/Night tests are a real result. Means we can watch two sessions a day without even getting up early.1
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There's only one day-nighter. Which is fortunate as we are mostly likely gonna lose it!kinveachyaddick said:The Day/Night tests are a real result. Means we can watch two sessions a day without even getting up early.0 -
Obviously I can't speak from personal experience. But I hear dodgy sticks are useful in that respect.MrOneLung said:just don't know if I can justify paying for BT Sport when barely gonna see any live cricket0 -
Opposite problem for me.kinveachyaddick said:The Day/Night tests are a real result. Means we can watch two sessions a day without even getting up early.Quite nice that the first Test will start at 8:30pm each evening - will get two sessions in and miss the evening session.
While the D/N test will be an 11pm ish start so just the one session each day.
One of those where I’ll expect to wake up the next morning with the Aussies having piled on an extra 150 for no loss after tea, or England to collapse to 50-6.0 -
Yeah - sorry just the one. But still better than none for viewing purposes. Although agree we’re likely going to lose it.cantersaddick said:
There's only one day-nighter. Which is fortunate as we are mostly likely gonna lose it!kinveachyaddick said:The Day/Night tests are a real result. Means we can watch two sessions a day without even getting up early.0 -
I really don't know what to think about this Ashes series. Common sense tells me that we have no chance, but I'm not sure Australia are as strong as usual, and a couple of injuries or a delayed return for Cummins might well make a difference. England seem to blow hot and cold. If we blow hot (and that might be a big if), we might get close to winning the series, but I can't see better than 2-2 and probably a 3-1 loss.0
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Anyone up for some other predictions?
Highest run scorer: Travis Head
Most wickets: Mitchell Starc
Will Root get a century? Yes
When will Cummins appear? 3rd test
How many tests will Archer manage? 2
How many opening combos do Australia use? 30 -
Highest run scorer: Steve SmithMost wickets: Mitchell StarcWill Root get a century? YesWhen will Cummins appear? Second Test, then back out for 3rd, back in for 4th.How many tests will Archer manage? 3How many opening combos do Australia use? 2, unless you're counting night watchmen. Sorry, night watchers.1
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Highest run scorer: Marnus Labuschagne
Most wickets: Mitchell Starc
Will Root get a century? Yes
When will Cummins appear? 2nd test
How many tests will Archer manage? 3
How many opening combos do Australia use? 11 -
Highest run scorer: Root
Most wickets: Mitchell Starc
Will Root get a century? Yes
When will Cummins appear? 3rd Test and also 5th Test
How many tests will Archer manage? 3
How many opening combos do Australia use? 31 -
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Highest run scorer: Steve Smith
Most wickets: Archer
Will Root get a century? Yes
When will Cummins appear? 3rd Test
How many tests will Archer manage? 4
How many opening combos do Australia use? 3
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Highest run scorer: Steve SmithMost wickets: Josh HazlewoodWill Root get a century? YesWhen will Cummins appear? 2nd testHow many tests will Archer manage? 3How many opening combos do Australia use? 31
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Highest run scorer: Going left field here....... Ben Duckett
Most wickets: Boland
Will Root get a century? Yes
When will Cummins appear? 3rd test
How many tests will Archer manage? 3
How many opening combos do Australia use? 21 -
As a Cricket trader, 2nd Test will be a print my own money test with D/N test being so easy to predict.0
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I'll try to remember to revisit these predictions after the series1
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And your prediction?Zulu said:As a Cricket trader, 2nd Test will be a print my own money test with D/N test being so easy to predict.0 -
It wont be a draw if there are no weather interruptions (might not even reach 4th day)Bedsaddick said:
And your prediction?Zulu said:As a Cricket trader, 2nd Test will be a print my own money test with D/N test being so easy to predict.
AND....
If England (especially) are batting when the lights come on, then expect wickets.0 -
Highest run scorer: Steve SmithMost wickets: Mitchell StarcWill Root get a century? YesWhen will Cummins appear? 3rd testHow many tests will Archer manage? 3How many opening combos do Australia use? 12
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Its quite a pivotal moment to realise that it will be extremely likely that most of the AUS players will not be playing in a Ashes Test series again...
Smith...36
Khawaja ...38
Starc...35
Boland...36
Lyon.....37
Hazlewood....34
Carey.....34
Dads Army !!
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Think they’ll fancy one last dance around England to try and win the Ashes outright0
