Quote from: Newportnobby on December 20, 2025, 09:43:20 AMIt's going to be 3-0, and I hope there will be an inquest/autopsy into the death of English test cricket. Some heads need to roll

I can name three people without needing time to think, should go.

...another English "moral" victory, I suppose. 

Truthfully, though, all three matches, at different times, could have gone the other way. The English side definitely has enough talent to compete.

There were plenty of Aussies in the audience getting concerned when over a hundred runs were scored in the first session and then the remaining target dropped to under 100. Fortunately, we didn't drop the chances.

Everyone have a blessed, happy and safe Christmas.

Mark

Day 1 in Melbourne, and, oh dear.

Australia is already all out for 152 and England is 4 for 46.

Let's hope it develops like the Centenary Test of 1977 did with big 2nd innings scores and a fabulous Derek Randall (maybe Joe Root this time?) performance.

Mark

England 7 for 77 as I type this.

8 for 83...

9 for 91...

Who's side of the fence do I sit on? Must admit, I'm like Graham in that regard. I'm not sure, so watch the Ashes at a distance, I guess.

110 and poor batting. If England bowled Australia 152 can only suggest something in the pitch



And Ilook at the comments made here

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/cly049z6m82o

Quote from: Bealman on December 26, 2025, 06:26:56 AM9 for 91...

Who's side of the fence do I sit on? Must admit, I'm like Graham in that regard. I'm not sure, so watch the Ashes at a distance, I guess.

We have our main Christmas function today, so watching the test is a bit "hit and miss" for me, and it would appear it was the same both sides in this test.

I would guess that Cricket Australia will be fuming over today's results, they would have been hoping for a bumper pay day from attendance at the MCG, even greater than the Australia / India tests from last year, but after day one they will be very disappointed.

This is the biggest test match in the Australia summer, and there were over 95,000 expected today and almost 400,000 over 5 days.

Regardless of who wins this will be a big loss for Cricket Australia.

As for the cricket, COME ON THE POMS, even after almost 40yrs I can't do it in the ashes.

We're doomed, Mr. Mainwaring, we're doomed

Quote from: Platy767 on December 21, 2025, 08:03:12 PMTruthfully, though, all three matches, at different times, could have gone the other way. The English side definitely has enough talent to compet

Trouble is that they need to apply that talent to playing cricket and to concentrate for the whole five days of each test.

Carse at a length outside the off stump gets whacked through the covers for 4.
Next ball - repeat.
Next ball - repeat.
Why can't they learn?
 

Congratulations England.

What another rubbish Ashes test match. Guess this is going to be the new "norm".

Mark

Yes, crap. But hopefully it will not be the new norm, looking on the bright side new young players can always shake it up.

Have to feel sorry those who have travelled miles and with tickets for days 3 4 and 5

I just had chat to an Aussie guy at the bowling club, asking what I thought about the Melbourne test. He simply said, "What about the poor caterer?  He might have lost money on 90,000 pies!"

Sometimes I worry about Australians.