The Ashes 2025

[Rita_Poon]

Probably the worst thing about the ashes is part timers watching for the first time in 4 years and giving their expertise

I'm a novice at best. And I've called out smoke blowers previous. If they can take the plaudits they can swallow the criticism.

"We got it wrong, we prepared very poorly, a couple of warm up games to get used to conditions was essential. As for our batting, we need more patience and concentration"

That would have taken the sting out of the lot. They doubled down and invited the wrath of those they lied to.

Got to call it square. :/

 

[summerisle]

It feels telling the priorities of the ECB that the Test series with Pakistan is relegated to August, with a meaningless series of T20 and 1 day matches against India first up.

We play three tests against New Zealand in June.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

This is the classic England fan, already putting a caveat on his team possibly winning so we can still cry and go back to previous methods that won so many games in away ashes series

We should have won both of the India and Australia series at home but blew them through stupidity. They're the equivalent of Martinez's Everton.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

We play three tests against New Zealand in June.

I didn't see that on the ECB site. Hold my hand up.

 

[Hinchcliffe's Corner]

This is the classic England fan, already putting a caveat on his team possibly winning so we can still cry and go back to previous methods that won so many games in away ashes series

Winning a dead rubber is exactly that though Walks. Winning any test match is cause to celebrate, but this series has to go down as a massive own goal by the coaching staff in particular.

 

[Walken]

Winning a dead rubber is exactly that though Walks. Winning any test match is cause to celebrate, but this series has to go down as a massive own goal by the coaching staff in particular.

I've stated this tour is a frustrating failure, doesn't alter that crying about your own team possibly winning a test we haven't played is ridiculous

 

[Hinchcliffe's Corner]

I've stated this tour is a frustrating failure, doesn't alter that crying about your own team possibly winning a test we haven't played is ridiculous

Its the equivalent of Davek in the Moyes thread I will give you that.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

I've stated this tour is a frustrating failure, doesn't alter that crying about your own team possibly winning a test we haven't played is ridiculous

I'm glad we won today and I'll be glad if we win the final test. I won't be glad if we use those results to carry on as we have been.

 

[summerisle]

Winning a dead rubber is exactly that though Walks. Winning any test match is cause to celebrate, but this series has to go down as a massive own goal by the coaching staff in particular.

It's almost like the backroom staff hadn't studied what the Australian pitches are like, and then tailoring their batting and bowling tactics accordingly ; they were too much obsessed with pace, and the batsmen 'taking it' to the Australians. Two years' planning, and that's what we got, absolutely no nuance in their thinking at all.

 

[Hinchcliffe's Corner]

It's almost like the backroom staff hadn't studied what the Australian pitches are like, and then tailoring their batting and bowling tactics accordingly ; they were too much obsessed with pace, and the batsmen 'taking it' to the Australians. Two years' planning, and that's what we got, absolutely no nuance in their thinking at all.

Taking pace to Australia is vital, the problem is you have to pitch it up. Time and time again a touring side will go there and get excited at the bounce and bowl harmless balls that look good but are a metre too short.
Taking it to the Aussies with the batting was also a good idea but the execution was terrible, playing far too many shots with half a bat on said bouncy wickets.
It comes down to application and leadership. I'm very much like Eggs with Thelwell when it comes to McCullum, so maybe im biased, but he's a poor leader who tries to show everyone to play like him but absolves himself of the blame by telling the team to express themselves without actually nailing down an exact plan.

 

[summerisle]

Taking pace to Australia is vital, the problem is you have to pitch it up. Time and time again a touring side will go there and get excited at the bounce and bowl harmless balls that look good but are a metre too short.
Taking it to the Aussies with the batting was also a good idea but the execution was terrible, playing far too many shots with half a bat on said bouncy wickets.
It comes down to application and leadership. I'm very much like Eggs with Thelwell when it comes to McCullum, so maybe im biased, but he's a poor leader who tries to show everyone to play like him but absolves himself of the blame by telling the team to express themselves without actually nailing down an exact plan.

It's also a cop out for the players. All they have to say is that I'm expressing myself, and all is fine and dandy in their eyes.

 

[Hinchcliffe's Corner]

It's also a cop out for the players. All they have to say is that I'm expressing myself, and all is fine and dandy in their eyes.

Yes exactly but that's from the top. Ive stated plenty of times that bazball is fine for this group of batsmen because they're actually not very good, but that has to be the base of the plan and then there has to be improvement on it and improvement on the ability of the players. Thats not happened.

 

[Rita_Poon]

Its the equivalent of davek in the Moyes thread I will give you that.

when the mistake makers (compound errors I hasten to make clear) hold their hands up and admit careless wrong doing, and a few players explain their woeful lack of concentration, then there'll be 99% less to poke em with a stick with.

there's a really old saying, "don't pish down my leg and tell me it's raining!". The brazen insult to the intelligence of the fans following the game with their bluff and bluster has added the insult to injury. Making it worse and pretending some make believe fantasy. Show you they want to learn and grow and put it right. When an opportunity is left to ridicule them after such failure, it's not much surprise the wofters get accused as such.

ps. I called out the wofters in September. It's all been so predictable.

 

[Hinchcliffe's Corner]

when the mistake makers (compound errors I hasten to make clear) hold their hands up and admit careless wrong doing, and a few players explain their woeful lack of concentration, then there'll be 99% less to poke em with a stick with.

there's a really old saying, "don't pish down my leg and tell me it's raining!". The brazen insult to the intelligence of the fans following the game with their bluff and bluster has added the insult to injury. Making it worse and pretending some make believe fantasy. Show you they want to learn and grow and put it right. When an opportunity is left to ridicule them after such failure, it's not much surprise the wofters get accused as such.

ps. I called out the wofters in September. It's all been so predictable.

Yes it would be hard to support the arrogance given they've lost more than they've won in the last couple of years. Thats Brand McCullum though.

 

[Rita_Poon]

Yes it would be hard to support the arrogance given they've lost more than they've won in the last couple of years. That's brand McCullum though.

"over prepared" was beyond arrogance. I'd like to get a question to Atherton and Hussain, when you respectively were captains, did you get your say re input for preparation? Because if you did, where's the captain material now chirping up about getting the players warmed up in competitive conditions?

That goes twice, aus have had your pants down and tanned both cheeks in front of the world, as captain material at what point did you think a booze bender was a smart idea off the back of three straight losses and the ashes lost?

Batting coaches and anyone with eyes, why are the supposed specialist batsmen flashing hard at every non threatening delivery? A test is a measure of mental and physical stamina, the ability to throw wickets away at nothing shots has been nothing short of borderline corrupt. Who's been down the bookies with inside knowledge? The unwillingness to address this repeated problem stinks.

Fielding practice, has catching gone out of fashion or something? over prepared? excellent cocktails? Some answers, some contrition, some respect for the audience!

The kid gloves need putting away, this lot from top to bottom need rollocking out of their collective slumber.