The Ashes: Australia in England 16th Jun - 31 July

[bigfluffylemon]

It was pointed out on the BBC preview, quite rightly, that whatever else this test does, it will be the last Ashes hurrah, at least in England, for a whole generation of players on both sides. For Australia, Warner, Khawaja, Smith, Lyon, Starc and Hazlewood (and Boland) will surely not be around in 4 years, and question marks over Labuschagne, Marsh and Cummins who will all be the wrong side of 33. For England, Anderson, Broad, Woakes, Moeen, Bairstow and Wood will surely never play another home Ashes test, hard to believe Stokes' body won't fall apart completely in the next few years, and Root may or may not last that long as well. A fair proportion of the above probably won't make it to the 25/26 Ashes in Australia either.

These are players who have defined an Ashes rivalry for 10 years. Feels like the end of an era for both sides, even though the retirements will come in dribs and drabs over the next couple of years.

[sussexpob]

IF the weather on the other side of the Channel is anything like here, I doubt we will get a single ball bowled today.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Light cloud in the morning, light showers in the afternoon on the forecast.

Dry tomorrow. Showers on Saturday and Sunday. Monday could be light rain all day.

Another shortened Test. Maybe four days play.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Papers suggesting Stokes is learning how to bowl spin...

[Arthur Crabtree]

Dail Mail saying ENgland are playing for the 'moral Ashes' in the final Test! Laurence Booth...

[Arthur Crabtree]

Rumour that Murphy is in for Green.

[GarlicJam]

Rumour that Murphy is in for Green.

This is true.

Aus have won the toss, and sent England in.

A major point of Pat Cummins' career will unfold over the next couple of hours.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Good toss to win. Should swing today. Shows attacking intent too.

[Arthur Crabtree]

First toss the Aussies have won.

[sussexpob]

Australia asking questions, but no cigar yet

[GarlicJam]

Bad drop by Warner

[sussexpob]

Both batsman remembered to put their lucky pants on, because I literally have no idea how Australia have not taken a wicket yet.

[sussexpob]

Luck runs out... Duckett goes for 41

[Arthur Crabtree]

Openers out. Presume they would like to dig in for a while, but with Mo at the crease, they don't have the man for the job.

[sussexpob]

3 down now...wickets tumbling