*Official* Road to the 2025-26 Ashes

[Burgey]

Archer is crucial if England are going to do the almost unprecedented and win

a test.

if he can string together three matches at something near his best with some solid support from the other bowlers then England are a chance.

I know Wood bowled serviceable here last time but he’s 4 years older and doesn’t do a lot with it. He doesn’t have anything like the skill set Arxher does.

Batting wise, englands most important player will be Duckett. If he makes a few scores up top it’ll be very handy. You have to hope he doesn’t go like he did when he played for parra and get asked to leave early because he isn’t scoring any runs.

The other bloke I’ll be interested in is Brook, because the hasn’t played here before. The others I think Aus have plans for which they know work. I think they’ll look to get him driving on the up away from his body with some extra bounce and sideways. Can see fly slip/ 3rd man being a wicket taking position for Aus if they actually put one in.

 

[Molehill]

2013/14 was stronger

Possibly on paper, but it turned out that KP, Swann, Tremlett and Prior were all on their last legs whilst Trott should never have played.

It may turn out that a couple this time finish their careers here (Wood being the obvious candidate), but seems unlikely with the rest.

I obviously don't see us winning the series, but it's still a better squad (and skipper) than we normally send. A lot does depend on the fitness of Stokes.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Possibly on paper, but it turned out that KP, Swann, Tremlett and Prior were all on their last legs whilst Trott should never have played.

"It turned out" lol

 

[govinda indian fan]

England will for sure win a test. Root and Brook and archer and wood are crucial players for them

 

[Molehill]

"It turned out" lol

They were all mid 30's so hardly a surprise. On this occasion, Aus will have significantly more in that category, at least 5 potentially who are over 35 of which 2 are nearer 40.

 

[andruid]

Bashir is barely fc standard as a bowler and can’t bat or field

Shouldn’t be anywhere near the squad

Bring back Monty Panesar.

 

[Gob]

Archer is crucial if England are going to do the almost unprecedented and win

a test.

if he can string together three matches at something near his best with some solid support from the other bowlers then England are a chance.

I know Wood bowled serviceable here last time but he’s 4 years older and doesn’t do a lot with it. He doesn’t have anything like the skill set Arxher does.

Batting wise, englands most important player will be Duckett. If he makes a few scores up top it’ll be very handy. You have to hope he doesn’t go like he did when he played for parra and get asked to leave early because he isn’t scoring any runs.

The other bloke I’ll be interested in is Brook, because the hasn’t played here before. The others I think Aus have plans for which they know work. I think they’ll look to get him driving on the up away from his body with some extra bounce and sideways. Can see fly slip/ 3rd man being a wicket taking position for Aus if they actually put one in.

How many runs/hundreds do you think big joe would score?

 

[Burgey]

How many runs/hundreds do you think big joe would score?

Won’t make a hundred. Couple of 50s.

He’s in career best form so if hes ever going to make runs here it’ll be this tour. The decks here are pretty tough these days though, and our guys have had his measure out here for a decade.

Hopefully he goes cheap a couple of times early in the tour and the old demons return. They probably will.

 

[Burgey]

England will for sure win a test.

Oh, whacko eh??

I know it’s good to manage expectations, but come on.

 

[Molehill]

Current Match Ups:

Duckett v Khawaja - Khawaja likely to have to face three times as many balls to match Duckett's runs, can't see that happening, point to England.
Crawley v Labuschagne - Blimey, as shite as Zak is, there is little current evidence to suggest Marnus will be much better. Draw.
Pope v Green - Proper shitshow this, on the basis that Big Cam does have decent knocks in him if he can get through the first 15 balls (which he surely won't on quite a few), point to Australia.
Root v Smith - Proper battle this. One has the obvious form in Australia but showing signs of age, the other continues to smash out more runs than ever. But until he can prove it in Aus? Smith just nicks it.
Brook v Head - Neither of these two likely to die wondering, tough one to call so a draw.
Stokes v Webster - Not even close, point to England
Smith v Carey - Smith surely has the higher ceiling of the two, but no idea if he'll do it in Aus. And with Carey having improved recently with the bat probably have to give it to Aus.
Wood/Carse v Cummins - Put these together as neither likely to take the new ball. Wood/Carse can cause trouble, but point fairly obviously to Aus.
Atkinson v Starc - I reckon Big Gus will go well, but again, little evidence to suggest Aus don't win the point.
Archer v Hazlewood - Tempted to call this a draw, especially as Haze seems to be an injury waiting to happen these days, but then so too is Jofra.
Lyon v Bashir - Even less close than the Stokes battle.

Extra half point awarded to Aus as I suspect Boland will be a right pain when he undoubtedly gets a go.

I reckon that's..........Aus 8 Eng 3.5. What that equates to on a Test score basis, who knows?

 

[Red_Ink_Squid]

I reckon that's..........Aus 8 Eng 3.5. What that equates to on a Test score basis, who knows?

1-4 England imo.

 

[Niall]

Current Match Ups:

Duckett v Khawaja - Khawaja likely to have to face three times as many balls to match Duckett's runs, can't see that happening, point to England.
Crawley v Labuschagne - Blimey, as shite as Zak is, there is little current evidence to suggest Marnus will be much better. Draw.
Pope v Green - Proper shitshow this, on the basis that Big Cam does have decent knocks in him if he can get through the first 15 balls (which he surely won't on quite a few), point to Australia.
Root v Smith - Proper battle this. One has the obvious form in Australia but showing signs of age, the other continues to smash out more runs than ever. But until he can prove it in Aus? Smith just nicks it.
Brook v Head - Neither of these two likely to die wondering, tough one to call so a draw.
Stokes v Webster - Not even close, point to England
Smith v Carey - Smith surely has the higher ceiling of the two, but no idea if he'll do it in Aus. And with Carey having improved recently with the bat probably have to give it to Aus.
Wood/Carse v Cummins - Put these together as neither likely to take the new ball. Wood/Carse can cause trouble, but point fairly obviously to Aus.
Atkinson v Starc - I reckon Big Gus will go well, but again, little evidence to suggest Aus don't win the point.
Archer v Hazlewood - Tempted to call this a draw, especially as Haze seems to be an injury waiting to happen these days, but then so too is Jofra.
Lyon v Bashir - Even less close than the Stokes battle.

Extra half point awarded to Aus as I suspect Boland will be a right pain when he undoubtedly gets a go.

I reckon that's..........Aus 8 Eng 3.5. What that equates to on a Test score basis, who knows?

I agree with most although while Archer is gun, I don't think I'd put money on someone who has had such a brief test career to outperform an ATG .

I watched the recent India v England series and we can all agree very evenly matched teams, that Indian side lost 3-1 in Australia despite Bumrah having an ATG series.
Heck that Indian side had experience winning in Australia and still lost decisively I just don't see what England will bring that makes them a bigger threat IMO.

 

[Molehill]

I agree with most although while Archer is gun, I don't think I'd put money on someone who has had such a brief test career to outperform an ATG .

I watched the recent India v England series and we can all agree very evenly matched teams, that Indian side lost 3-1 in Australia despite Bumrah having an ATG series.
Heck that Indian side had experience winning in Australia and still lost decisively I just don't see what England will bring that makes them a bigger threat IMO.

Yeah, I originally gave it to Haze too, but just not convinced he's going to play much (which is why I gave an extra half to Boland).

You could argue that but for a Woakes shoulder injury, England win 3-1 too. India had shorn itself of the Rohit/Kohli shackles too who were diabolical (apart from one Kohli knock) in Aus.

But yeah, roughly agree, don't see how England win, but we've sent worse squads.

 

[the big bambino]

Its not an impossible task to manage England's bowlers. If they're able to play one of Archer or Wood and two of Atkinson, Carse and Tongue with Stokes and a spinner in each match, then I think they have their best bowling side here for many a year Broad and Anderson notwithstanding.

 

[govinda indian fan]

I agree with most although while Archer is gun, I don't think I'd put money on someone who has had such a brief test career to outperform an ATG .

I watched the recent India v England series and we can all agree very evenly matched teams, that Indian side lost 3-1 in Australia despite Bumrah having an ATG series.
Heck that Indian side had experience winning in Australia and still lost decisively I just don't see what England will bring that makes them a bigger threat IMO.

We had two dead wood in rohit and kohli. Who knows if jaiswal caught marnus when score was 95/6 aus would have been bowled below 120 or if bumrah didnt breakdown in sydney. Not defending my team but that series had potential to be 2-2

 

[govinda indian fan]

Its not an impossible task to manage England's bowlers. If they're able to play one of Archer or Wood and two of Atkinson, Carse and Tongue with Stokes and a spinner in each match, then I think they have their best bowling side here for many a year Broad and Anderson notwithstanding.

Atkinson and carse are very good bowlers plus they have archer and wood. England have very good chance in ashes

 

[ImpatientLime]

i get he is exciting to watch, but for a bowler of his MO Archer really doesn't take very many wickets. he has a deeply underwhelming SR.

he bowled a lot of 'hostile' deliveries in his two tests v india but very few that threatened a dismissal. really needs to attack the stumps more. something i think wood is a lot better at.

 

[Molehill]

i get he is exciting to watch, but for a bowler of his MO Archer really doesn't take very many wickets. he has a deeply underwhelming SR.

he bowled a lot of 'hostile' deliveries in his two tests v india but very few that threatened a dismissal. really needs to attack the stumps more. something i think wood is a lot better at.

A bit harsh to judge him on the Old Trafford Road, but he did take 5-107 at Lord's (his First Test for 4 years), a pitch that will probably have more in common with the Australian ones.

 

[Gob]

I agree with most although while Archer is gun, I don't think I'd put money on someone who has had such a brief test career to outperform an ATG .

I watched the recent India v England series and we can all agree very evenly matched teams, that Indian side lost 3-1 in Australia despite Bumrah having an ATG series.
Heck that Indian side had experience winning in Australia and still lost decisively I just don't see what England will bring that makes them a bigger threat IMO.

Intent, passion and a whole lot of love

 

[Gob]

Won’t make a hundred. Couple of 50s.

He’s in career best form so if hes ever going to make runs here it’ll be this tour. The decks here are pretty tough these days though, and our guys have had his measure out here for a decade.

Hopefully he goes cheap a couple of times early in the tour and the old demons return. They probably will.

Shame that Davey Warner isn't around just in case Joe decides to mock some Asian player.