*Official* Road to the 2025-26 Ashes

[GoodAreasShane]

Still a pretty good squad either way.

I much preferred the batting lineup from the squad against Sri Lanka A than this one tbqh. Although that being said, it's only Peake (wayyyyyyyy too early) who doesn't deserve to be there at all. Bowling lineup is a hell of a lot stronger for this squad than that one

Definitely went all in on youth in the 50 over squad though, which I obviously don't love

 

[GotSpin]

I much preferred the batting lineup from the squad against Sri Lanka A than this one tbqh. Although that being said, it's only Peake (wayyyyyyyy too early) who doesn't deserve to be there at all. Bowling lineup is a hell of a lot stronger for this squad than that one

Definitely went all in on youth in the 50 over squad though, which I obviously don't love

Think it’s pretty important for Konstas and such to be touring though

 

[GoodAreasShane]

Think it’s pretty important for Konstas and such to be touring though

Yeah as much as he would have never been anywhere near the Test team if I was in George Bailey's position, Konstas being in this squad makes perfect sense. It certainly is good for him to get some experience against what's likely to be a decent side in conditions unfamiliar to him.

A kid with literally only one Shield game being there is taking the piss though

 

[TheJediBrah]

I much preferred the batting lineup from the squad against Sri Lanka A than this one tbqh. Although that being said, it's only Peake (wayyyyyyyy too early) who doesn't deserve to be there at all. Bowling lineup is a hell of a lot stronger for this squad than that one

Definitely went all in on youth in the 50 over squad though, which I obviously don't love

The purpose of the tour seems to be aimed for not just the next 1 or 2 years, but the next 5-10. They've tried to predict who will be touring India as Test players in years ahead

Still a bit surprised Jason Sangha didn't get a look in though

 

[GoodAreasShane]

The purpose of the tour seems to be aimed for not just the next 1 or 2 years, but the next 5-10. They've tried to predict who will be touring India as Test players in years ahead

Still a bit surprised Jason Sangha didn't get a look in though

Yeah you are spot on about the logic the selectors are seemingly going with, even if I don't particularly agree with it myself

Sangha absolutely should have been there though, Weatherald and Patterson out is understandable if they are focusing so much longish term, but Sangha is a fair bit younger than either so that argument doesn't wash in his case

 

[Qlder]

I'm thinking Weatherald, Patterson and Sangha were left out because they already did well in previous A games so stay in Aus to better prepare for the Shied season?

 

[cascade]

Sangha is part of the group currently at the MRF Academy in Chennai. I don't know if that has any bearing on his non-selection for the A games.

 

[Isura]

5 - 0
4 - 0
4 - 0

Jeez any other team and we are talking about limiting the series length to 2 tests

3 tests.. No real test cricket fan would advocate for a 2 test series.

 

[Isura]

Very.

Dad's army

Dad or Daddy's army? Depends on how Root vs Cumm goes.

 

[TheJediBrah]

3 tests.. No real test cricket fan would advocate for a 2 test series.

Just 7 T20Is IMO

 

[Isura]

They shouldve given the pink ball test to Adelaide.

Day time tests with 40 degree weather is an iconic part of the Adelaide experience. Seems it would give the home team a meaningful advantage esp since England doesn't have a credible spinner (let's see if Leach is ever brought back). Gabba is generally a bit of a crap shoot anyways so give some excitement to the early series≥

 

[Son Of Coco]

Atherton-McGrath works for both countries

I'd go with 'Warne-Gooch'. It's perfect as it not only combines two great Ashes cricketers but also perfectly describes what Australia have done to England in the last 3 series out here.

 

[Gob]

I much preferred the batting lineup from the squad against Sri Lanka A than this one tbqh. Although that being said, it's only Peake (wayyyyyyyy too early) who doesn't deserve to be there at all. Bowling lineup is a hell of a lot stronger for this squad than that one

Definitely went all in on youth in the 50 over squad though, which I obviously don't love

He looks far better than Konstas tbf both technique and temperament wise

 

[Isura]

With no back to back tests until MCG, I would try play Archer in tests 1-3. Rest him at MCG, and only bring back for SCG if fully fit and it's not a dead rubber.

Play Leach at Adelaide and prob rest of the series tbh. He actually got wickets in Pakistan ffs. Why would you discard him now. 4 seamers + Stokes doesn't seem like a good idea. You're just putting out a whole bunch of nothingness.

Batting wise I can't see anyone except Duckett, Brook, or Stokes having a big series. Maybe Root plays good (but unlikely to be great) which would turn it into a somewhat competitive series. English fans had a hardon for Bethel in the India thread before they saw him play at the Oval. Maybe that's the solution to all the batting problems

 

[Isura]

Root could pass Atherton's record in this series!

 

[GoodAreasShane]

He looks far better than Konstas tbf both technique and temperament wise

I agree that he does look promising from all I have seen of him, but that doesn't change my viewpoint that a decent grounding in FC cricket is not just desirable but critical for any prospective young batting talent

The whole notion of that level of fast-tracking is just one I oppose outright

 

[Starfighter]

I agree that he does look promising from all I have seen of him, but that doesn't change my viewpoint that a decent grounding in FC cricket is not just desirable but critical for any prospective young batting talent

So you want him to have a decent grounding in FC cricket but not go to India to play FC cricket, getting early experience in different conditions?

 

[GoodAreasShane]

So you want him to have a decent grounding in FC cricket but not go to India to play FC cricket, getting early experience in different conditions?

No I agree that Peake getting that sort of experience this A tour will provide is a good thing in of itself, but I would 100% prefer players who have a higher chance of playing Tests in the short/medium term there instead

 

[TheJediBrah]

No I agree that Peake getting that sort of experience this A tour will provide is a good thing in of itself, but I would 100% prefer players who have a higher chance of playing Tests in the short/medium term there instead

Might not be a whole lot of opportunities to play decent quality first-class cricket in those conditions in the coming years though. Fair enough to give him a taste of it when it's available, even if it's a bit soon

 

[Gob]

Might not be a whole lot of opportunities to play decent quality first-class cricket in those conditions in the coming years though. Fair enough to give him a taste of it when it's available, even if it's a bit soon

Agree. Considering that he is only 18 and most likely still a virgin, can't think of many better places to become a man than India (Chennai). @honestbharani will attest to that