Ashes 2025-26.

[andy]

Mark wood is expected to bowl on day 3 apparently

[Durhamfootman]

still... it's a handy reminder of his fragility. Having a player break down one session into a 5 day ashes test would be catastrophic and England are risking 2 or 3 if they throw all their express bowling eggs into one basket

[sussexpob]

I can't see why England would bother at this point. He can't get through a training session after 15 months without a test, why on Earth would you risk him in a 5 day test match without proving capable of actually getting through a multi-day game.

I mean, its not like Wood is this legendary bowler... out of all the players to take 5 wickets for England in his entire career span, only Sam Curran and Craig Overton have worse averages.... and both add runs to the equation.

He has never been a top performer, so why do we still pick him

[sussexpob]

England Lions starting by giving 8 different players one bowling spell.... definitely a proper match and not a glorified net session this.

The ECB posted all of Stokes wickets on social media, and its suffice to say Stokes looked embarrassed with most of them. All 5 were horrendous, wild slogs to nothing balls.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Yes, the Lions side has now expanded to 14 players. No Sonny Baker yet though!

[Arthur Crabtree]

Rehan not getting a bowl. Might be awkward if he took wickets.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Ton for Pope. Settles one argument anyway. Even though this has turned into a training session. England now playing with 12.

Presumably Wood, Archer and Atkinson will play. Which leaves a spot for Bashir/Carse/Tongue/Jacks. My hunch is they'll pick Carse. But I'd like a specialist spinner. Potts is the other option.

[sussexpob]

Ton for Pope. Settles one argument anyway. Even though this has turned into a training session .

When I woke up this morning, Pope was listed as out caught in the late 60s, and Smith and Stokes were at the crease.

Did they send Pope back out to bat with the tail? Is this 100 actually real?

[Durhamfootman]

[Arthur Crabtree]

And did Bethell really take 3-14!

[sussexpob]

I have seen a few comments suggesting Duckett spooned a chance into the air after only a few balls, and that the drop catch that followed was so bad it appeared the Lions fielders were under orders not to get him out. Also reported is the fact Jamie Smith and Harry Brook apparently treated the exercise with disdain, coming out and unravelling a load of trick shots and audacious experimental batting before seemingly not caring to get out quickly. Pope apparently did score a 100, so Cricinfo's scorecard must have been an error.

I think it says a lot that even the BBC, which is part of the Bazball cult, highlighted this was not "balls to the wall" as promised, but a bit of a lame exercise. The report even suggested these moments might come back to haunt the side if failure follows, seemingly questioning the worth of what they were viewing.

Root out to a mistimed hook. The Aussie attack will take note of that.

[sussexpob]

I have seen a few comments suggesting Duckett spooned a chance into the air after only a few balls, and that the drop catch that followed was so bad it appeared the Lions fielders were under orders not to get him out.

Specifically, Stephan Shelmit suggesting Ben McKinney didn't even attempt to go for the ball, and neither did Bethall who also had a chance at getting it. Duckett also apparently slashed numerous shots through the slips and gully.

[Arthur Crabtree]

BBC twisting the facts to fit an agenda...

It's a bit 'fake news' the way Stokes disregards criticism. Maybe he'll sue them.

[Arthur Crabtree]

The Guardian doing a rundown of the top 100 Ashes cricketers.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/ng-in ... -173054408

Presume the Don will be at one, and Warne maybe at two.

Nerp. Warne at one, the Don at two.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Haven't looked this up, it's just my vibe. But I think of Steve Smith and Ponting as filling their boots when the Aussies are winning 5-0, but not so much when it's close. And Mike Hussey the other way around. I'd have had Mr. Cricket higher than 60.