cricket 2025 (2 Viewers)

EalingSB · Dec 20, 2025

I've got up pretty much every night of the three games to watch it, just so predictable. The Aussies have barely missed a thing across three tests and Brook has two key drops and two batting failures in this Test alone (obviously he's not the only one).

I'm going to the Sydney Test - I leave BHX on the 2nd and land four hours before the Test on the 4th. We have the Birmingham game at midnight that night too so aiming to watch it but not sure what I'll state I'll be in after the flights and drinking!

Brighton Sky Blue · Dec 20, 2025

EalingSB said:
I've got up pretty much every night of the three games to watch it, just so predictable. The Aussies have barely missed a thing across three tests and Brook has two key drops and two batting failures in this Test alone (obviously he's not the only one).

I'm going to the Sydney Test - I leave BHX on the 2nd and land four hours before the Test on the 4th. We have the Birmingham game at midnight that night too so aiming to watch it but not sure what I'll state I'll be in after the flights and drinking!

Safe travels to you on that, must be a beautiful city if nothing else.

Skybluefaz · Dec 21, 2025

hopesprings said:
Any one in Adeleide. Got a mate out there wanting to watch the match v Southampton

Sorry, saw this too late. A bunch of us went to the Arkaba to watch the game last night after the cricket.

fatso · Dec 21, 2025

Fuck, Smith out now. He was in good nick so I'd say this game has definitely gone now.

What a shit effort from a piss poor England team. Big name players have failed to deliver, and there surely must be changes made after this fiasco.

When some English batsman have spent more time on the golf course than at the crease you have to wonder where their priorities are.

chiefdave · Dec 21, 2025

its the hope that kills you

tisza · Dec 21, 2025

Always ifs and buts. Frustrating - if brook holds that catch and snicko operator does his job properly this game would be won by now.

Sick Boy · Dec 21, 2025

Let’s hope they can get down the beach asap to forget about it.

CCFCSteve · Dec 21, 2025

What an absolute shitshow !

Ashes 2025-26: How England lost latest Ashes series down under in just 11 days

BBC Sport chief cricket reporter Stephan Shemilt reveals the inside story of England's Ashes defeat in Australia on and off the pitch.

www.bbc.co.uk

alexccfc99 · Dec 22, 2025

It has been a mess, a desperate mess and if you'd have told me in the summer that Hazlewood would be out of the whole thing, Cummins misses two of the first three tests and Smith one and it would be over and done with by the time Melbourne rolls around I would have been gutted... and I am

Hopefully some players realise that they are playing for their futures from here on in and restore a little bit of pride in the last two tests

Terry Gibson's perm · Dec 22, 2025

alexccfc99 said:
It has been a mess, a desperate mess and if you'd have told me in the summer that Hazlewood would be out of the whole thing, Cummins misses two of the first three tests and Smith one and it would be over and done with by the time Melbourne rolls around I would have been gutted... and I am

Hopefully some players realise that they are playing for their futures from here on in and restore a little bit of pride in the last two tests

I wouldn’t hold your breath on them playing for their futures the only one that’s a bit iffy is Pope but he’s a good team mate, golfer,Surrey player so will be back in the summer.

Brighton Sky Blue · Dec 22, 2025

The arrogance radiating from this man

The Ashes 2025-26: Brendon McCullum wants to stay as England coach

England head coach Brendon McCullum is contracted until the end of the 50-over World Cup in 2027, with a home Ashes series in that time.

www.bbc.co.uk

chiefdave · Dec 22, 2025

Brighton Sky Blue said:
The arrogance radiating from this man

The Ashes 2025-26: Brendon McCullum wants to stay as England coach

England head coach Brendon McCullum is contracted until the end of the 50-over World Cup in 2027, with a home Ashes series in that time.

www.bbc.co.uk

"It's a pretty good gig. It's good fun. You travel the world with the lads and try to play some exciting ~~cricket~~ golf"

Terry Gibson's perm · Dec 22, 2025

chiefdave said:
"It's a pretty good gig. It's good fun. You travel the world with the lads and try to play some exciting ~~cricket~~ golf"

Be even more fun if they were winning.

chiefdave · Dec 23, 2025

Looks like we're well and truly in self preservation mode now. Key has suddenly appear to give a 'not my fault' interview while backing McCullum and Stokes.

Blames the tour preparation (surely his job?) and players making 'stupid decisions'.

They also seem to be focusing on the piss up they had between the 2nd and 3rd tests.

Can see them throwing a couple of 'lesser' players under the bus and then trying to carry on as if the tour has been a success.

Brighton Sky Blue · Dec 23, 2025

chiefdave said:
Looks like we're well and truly in self preservation mode now. Key has suddenly appear to give a 'not my fault' interview while backing McCullum and Stokes.

Blames the tour preparation (surely his job?) and players making 'stupid decisions'.

They also seem to be focusing on the piss up they had between the 2nd and 3rd tests.

Can see them throwing a couple of 'lesser' players under the bus and then trying to carry on as if the tour has been a success.

Getting a match to the 5th day is all the success a team could ask for.

chiefdave · Dec 23, 2025

Aussies now resting players and sending injured players that could have potentially played off for early treatment.

If we manage to put up a decent performance against a side full of Aussie fringe players we'll have those in charge claiming things are improving and we just need a few tweaks rather than a big change.

One thing I don't get is what media training & advice they are getting. Every time someone speaks they make it worse, although not today as they've cancelled all interviews after videos of the players pissed up have appeared on socials.

That's another thing. Surely they're staying at decent hotels with bars, or have access to private clubs. Why are they out on the piss mixing with tourists when they know everyone has a camera in their hand these days.

Brighton Sky Blue · Dec 23, 2025

chiefdave said:
Aussies now resting players and sending injured players that could have potentially played off for early treatment.

If we manage to put up a decent performance against a side full of Aussie fringe players we'll have those in charge claiming things are improving and we just need a few tweaks rather than a big change.

One thing I don't get is what media training & advice they are getting. Every time someone speaks they make it worse, although not today as they've cancelled all interviews after videos of the players pissed up have appeared on socials.

That's another thing. Surely they're staying at decent hotels with bars, or have access to private clubs. Why are they out on the piss mixing with tourists when they know everyone has a camera in their hand these days.

A bloke from my club who’s out there recorded them being out on the piss and having the piss taken by locals. Unbelievable really.

tisza · Dec 23, 2025

chiefdave said:
Looks like we're well and truly in self preservation mode now. Key has suddenly appear to give a 'not my fault' interview while backing McCullum and Stokes.

Blames the tour preparation (surely his job?) and players making 'stupid decisions'.

They also seem to be focusing on the piss up they had between the 2nd and 3rd tests.

Can see them throwing a couple of 'lesser' players under the bus and then trying to carry on as if the tour has been a success.

They've all defended the tour preparation on the run up into the 1st Test.
They had a mickey mouse game on a soft, flat wicket against the Lions - an exercise in futility on two counts there. None of the Test players should have been on the white ball tour of NZ. That time should have been added to the beginning of this tour for some better games against local opposition on wickets similar to the ones the Test series was going to produce.
There just seems to be a smugness/arrogance about this setup that has been buoyed by some big wins against lesser opposition. Don't know how much of a coincidence it is that the women's team is pretty much the same in this. They also coasted against lesser opposition beforethey ran into the Aussies in their Ashes series
I still think that 2-2 with India was a poor result - primarily due to the same issues that have dominated the Ashes. Too much cavalier batting at times, poor fielding/catching and (for me the worst part) an ill-disciplined bowling attack.

chiefdave · Dec 23, 2025

tisza said:
They've all defended the tour preparation on the run up into the 1st Test.

This is the thing. Everyone else was pointing out it wasn't right but they kept insisting it was. You can't then turn round and claim the problem is the preparation was not what you wanted.

Now they're trying to claim they wanted a game at the WACA but Cricket Australia wouldn't facilitate it.

Couple of problems here. You would leak that out via the press immediately to try and pressure CA into sorting it out if it was true. Also the Barmy Army were able to arrange a fan game at the WACA.

CA have stated they have given England exactly what they asked for and the process for requesting anything is very clear and the same for every touring side yet only England seem to have run into this issue they are now claiming.

Brighton Sky Blue · Dec 23, 2025

chiefdave said:
This is the thing. Everyone else was pointing out it wasn't right but they kept insisting it was. You can't then turn round and claim the problem is the preparation was not what you wanted.

Now they're trying to claim they wanted a game at the WACA but Cricket Australia wouldn't facilitate it.

Couple of problems here. You would leak that out via the press immediately to try and pressure CA into sorting it out if it was true. Also the Barmy Army were able to arrange a fan game at the WACA.

CA have stated they have given England exactly what they asked for and the process for requesting anything is very clear and the same for every touring side yet only England seem to have run into this issue they are now claiming.

A lot of people need to be sacked here, maybe even further up the chain from Rob Key. These people are turning the national side into an embarrassment.

ovduk78 · Dec 24, 2025

Archer out of the series, Pope dropped for 4th test and still no place for Bashir

chiefdave · Dec 24, 2025

ovduk78 said:
Archer out of the series

Who could have possibly predicted going with Wood and Archer would end badly? Pretty much every journalist and supporter predicted that they wouldn't make it through the series but as with everything those in charge knew better.

Their response to the video of Duckett hammered making it on to social media was for them to clap him to the nets, they really are in their own world.

Saw one report this morning describing the tour as like Spinal Tap and they aren't far off.

Brighton Sky Blue · Dec 24, 2025

chiefdave said:
Who could have possibly predicted going with Wood and Archer would end badly? Pretty much every journalist and supporter predicted that they wouldn't make it through the series but as with everything those in charge knew better.

Their response to the video of Duckett hammered making it on to social media was for them to clap him to the nets, they really are in their own world.

Saw one report this morning describing the tour as like Spinal Tap and they aren't far off.

Just seen the video. ‘Get an Uber to the nets’

CCFCSteve · Dec 24, 2025

chiefdave said:
Who could have possibly predicted going with Wood and Archer would end badly? Pretty much every journalist and supporter predicted that they wouldn't make it through the series but as with everything those in charge knew better.

Their response to the video of Duckett hammered making it on to social media was for them to clap him to the nets, they really are in their own world.

Saw one report this morning describing the tour as like Spinal Tap and they aren't far off.

It was the correct call to try Wood and Archer. I’d imagine we needed one or both to have a sniff. The management of wood pre tour was poor though.

Lets be honest the prep and planning for such a massive series has been a shambles

ovduk78 · Dec 24, 2025

The problems go higher than Key & McCullum (who's assessment of the issues they created are laughable) but those in charge of the ECB appear to be immune from criticism (I haven't seen anything apart from on here). There won't be any drastic change in fortunes of the test side until the ECB puts in a structure that supports them.

chiefdave · Dec 24, 2025

CCFCSteve said:
It was the correct call to try Wood and Archer. I’d imagine we needed one or both to have a sniff. The management of wood pre tour was poor though.

Lets be honest the prep and planning for such a massive series has been a shambles

Don't think anyone would say don't take them but it was pretty obvious to most the chances of one or both missing multiple games wqas high with their track record. The lack of bowling depth in the squad is astounding. Not just the quick, same with spin. Take Bashir with seemingly no intention of playing him.

Not like we've taken a strong Lions team to have backup ready when needed.

Forced Anderson into retirement because the likes of Robinson were the future, its been totally mismanaged. Was it the Northants coach the other day who said he'd never seen or spoken to an England selector. Its a shambles.

How many tests have the 6 quicks in the squad got between them? Potentially less than 100.

We laughed at the Aussies having an older, experienced lineup, while we put people out to pasture as they were deemed too old.

Now we'll add Wood and Archer being injured to the list of excuses when we all know the sackings need to start from the top.

Much as we all dislike Surrey and their use of their finances to dominate the game at this point surely you'd be on the phone to Alec Stewart seeing what it would take to get him in the role. Not like we've got a huge number of candidates.

Sky_Blue_Dreamer · Dec 24, 2025

chiefdave said:
Who could have possibly predicted going with Wood and Archer would end badly? Pretty much every journalist and supporter predicted that they wouldn't make it through the series but as with everything those in charge knew better.

Their response to the video of Duckett hammered making it on to social media was for them to clap him to the nets, they really are in their own world.

Saw one report this morning describing the tour as like Spinal Tap and they aren't far off.

Losing the Ashes I can accept. What I can't accept is the manner in which they've gone about it.

Piss poor preparation. Risky squad selection which inevitably bit us on the arse. Playing a style that isn't going to get you consistent results in test matches. The fact that the egos of those in charge refuse to let them accept these massive errors they've made. And most annoying the unprofessional way they've gone about the entire thing like a club team on tour and treating it like a holiday, then getting arsey when they get criticised for it.

They deserve every bit of criticism they get from the top down and a lot of people need to be got rid of, both in the management and coaching. Some people are far too comfortable and there's far too much complacency.

What's surprising is that this is almost a carbon copy of how the women treated their ashes as well, suggesting this is something from the very top down.

tisza · Dec 24, 2025

ovduk78 said:
The problems go higher than Key & McCullum (who's assessment of the issues they created are laughable) but those in charge of the ECB appear to be immune from criticism (I haven't seen anything apart from on here). There won't be any drastic change in fortunes of the test side until the ECB puts in a structure that supports them.

Not a lot the ECB can do now.
Counties won't allow any meaningful restructuring of domestic red ball - which doesn't produce the level of competitive cricket required to produce Test players. Too many average players picking up a wage.
They've sold their soul (control) to these new Hundred owners who now have complete control over centrally contracted players for a large chunk of the season.

ovduk78 · Dec 24, 2025

chiefdave said:
Much as we all dislike Surrey and their use of their finances to dominate the game at this point surely you'd be on the phone to Alec Stewart seeing what it would take to get him in the role. Not like we've got a huge number of candidates.

Are there any Australians we could get in? They seem to have a totally different mindset to us. The narrative that everything was well planned, criticism of former players' comments to then admit that maybe it wasn't OK is really poor management, I can't imagine the Aussies doing that

chiefdave · Dec 24, 2025

tisza said:
Not a lot the ECB can do now.
Counties won't allow any meaningful restructuring of domestic red ball - which doesn't produce the level of competitive cricket required to produce Test players. Too many average players picking up a wage.
They've sold their soul (control) to these new Hundred owners who now have complete control over centrally contracted players for a large chunk of the season.

Whatever the counties will or won't allow is now largely an irrelevance because as you point out we've handed control to the Hundred owners, many of whom are also IPL franchise owners.

We've already seen rebrands, we've got Mumbai Indians London, and more no doubt on the way. The competition will inevitably be switched to T20 at some point and as we already have managed decline of the Blast to 'prove' the Hundreds success that will be either binned off or for second tier counties only.

We've destroyed the one day cup and relegated that to essentially a competition for players not good enough for a franchise.

County Championship now never plays games in conditions that replicate home series test cricket and that will get worse when the IPL owners decide to expand and rebrand the Hundred.

ECB have sold the game and completely lost control.

Liquid Gold · Dec 24, 2025

What I can’t grasp is that all eyes have been on this series for the last couple of years and the preparation for it has been abysmal.

They’re a shambles.

tisza · Dec 24, 2025

Liquid Gold said:
What I can’t grasp is that all eyes have been on this series for the last couple of years and the preparation for it has been abysmal.

They’re a shambles.

That's the point. Everything was supposed to be geared towards this.
As dismal as some of the batting has been it's also the inability of bowlers to develop/hone some basic skills that Everyman and his dog know are essential for Australian conditions.

You have to wonder if they knew going in where some of the key weaknesses were going to be when ( in October) they only gave one year contracts to Crawley, Pope and Bashir.
.

Terry Gibson's perm · Dec 26, 2025

A decent start for England.

chiefdave · Dec 26, 2025

I'd better not wake up to England being 50 all out or something similar

Terry Gibson's perm · Dec 26, 2025

chiefdave said:
I'd better not wake up to England being 50 all out or something similar

They are trying for you at 8-3 and Brook charging down the wicket first ball.

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