Cricket

[TugaysMarlboro]

Watched the first hour of day 3 so far, somehow.

Absolutely awful bowling, as Jim has said above, it's been our Achilles heel this series, any decent batting performance (and there haven't been many) go down the pan when we can't be consistent.

I'm watching via Fox network in Australia. They showed a startling graphic that around 29 of 250 deliveries in Australia's first innings so far, would hit the stumps. Everything else is too short or wide.

Edited Monday at 23:53 by TugaysMarlboro

[jim mk2]

Will Jacks drops a dolly - go back to T20 with the rest of 'em

They can't field, they can't bowl and they can't bat

Send 'em home

[wilsdenrover]

Absolute shite 

[K-Hod]

Jacks dropping a dolly is damaging, but for me, the more damaging was the Crawley one- as he then goes on to bag tons more runs after it happens.

We need to get the basics right first. I dread to think how many dropped catches we've made this series.

[jim mk2]

England have dropped 17 catches so far in this series. Some of them were defining moments in one or two Tests. 

Dropped catches happen but that big number is symptomatic of a failing team.

McCullum staying on after this dreadful series would be endorsing that failure. Get rid.  

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

10 hours ago, TugaysMarlboro said:

Watched the first hour of day 3 so far, somehow.

Absolutely awful bowling, as Jim has said above, it's been our Achilles heel this series, any decent batting performance (and there haven't been many) go down the pan when we can't be consistent.

I'm watching via Fox network in Australia. They showed a startling graphic that around 29 of 250 deliveries in Australia's first innings so far, would hit the stumps. Everything else is too short or wide.

That’s my conclusion after just watching the “ highlights “. The bowling is way too short.

[47er]

We lost this one when Smith made the most ludicrous stroke to the most harmless ball.

Just bloody idiotic. Like Brooke before him.

I can stand defeat, I can't stand self-immolation.

[jim mk2]

Crawley out first over - and I hope that's his last innings for England

Innings defeat on the cards? 

[wilsdenrover]

Play properly, score big - who would’ve have thought it!

Well played Bethell, let’s hope this is just the beginning for him.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

13 hours ago, jim mk2 said:

Crawley out first over - and I hope that's his last innings for England

Innings defeat on the cards? 

Not playing a shot. Smith run out ! We keep finding new ways to lose games when we’re handily placed !

[Mattyblue]

Think we can safely say it will be Crawley and Duckett opening the batting in the summer… it should be difficult to get in an international team, not out of it 

[jim mk2]

Jonathan Agnew has been reading this messageboard

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/c3r1wg5407lo

 

[K-Hod]

Been some revelation about Harry Brook in NZ (the series before The Ashes) scrapping with a bouncer, that's emerged today.

When you consider that, then the trip to Noosa, it does make me wonder.

I've no problem with players having a bev, but when they're scrapping with bouncers and Ben Duckett completing drinking this time around, it's clearly problematic.

[wilsdenrover]

Why do I get the feeling ‘lessons won’t be learnt’…

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/cj4lnxyyrrjo

[jim mk2]

"Areas to improve," says McCullum

How about batting, bowling and fielding for starters?

 

[Gav]

Well done to Australia who have once again proven they are a much better side than this current England lineup.

The media and especially for me the TMS team, had convinced themselves we’d beat Australia at a canter. Since Perth we’ve had to listen to them outraged because they got it wrong, very wrong, it’s pathetic listening to them on TMS to be honest.

Don't get me wrong, we’ve handed several results to them on a plate, but they are simply a better side than us, it’s as simple as that. 
 

Edited Thursday at 19:31 by Gav

[K-Hod]

Better side than us- yes.

But good grief, we’ve made it so easy for them by giving away wickets and dropping catches.

 

[Mattyblue]

TMS certainly didn’t think England would win at a canter.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/cgqlqlw4gx3o
 

[jim mk2]

Howzat! Expert cricket analyst gets bowled again - this time at a canter

 

Edited Friday at 01:36 by jim mk2

[oldjamfan1]

On 08/01/2026 at 15:37, K-Hod said:

Been some revelation about Harry Brook in NZ (the series before The Ashes) scrapping with a bouncer, that's emerged today.

When you consider that, then the trip to Noosa, it does make me wonder.

I've no problem with players having a bev, but when they're scrapping with bouncers and Ben Duckett completing drinking this time around, it's clearly problematic.

I have a massive problem with them going to a fucking nightclub the day before an ODI. And he's meant to be the bloody captain.

[K-Hod]

15 minutes ago, oldjamfan1 said:

I have a massive problem with them going to a fucking nightclub the day before an ODI. And he's meant to be the bloody captain.

Yeah, the bit before a match was the bit I'd not spotted- that just can't be happening, so unprofessional.

[onlyonejackwalker]

Behaved badly, bowled badly, fielded badly, batted badly, prepared badly, organised badly, managed badly...yet still people make excuses for the pathetic results. I'm not sure what folk don't understand.

Try acting like that in your own job, putting in a succession of below par work shy performances, a few short days / lazy weeks and wander in stinking of booze. Cry about it on here when you lose your employment.

In the meantime, Crawley averaging 27, Duckett 20, Pope 20, Stokes 18 and Smith 23 are the main reason we lost the ashes. Useless. We gave the bowlers no respite or rest and nothing at all to bowl at.

Duckett averaged 16 until the final test. Crawley out four times for a duck. Average opening partnership of 20.I'm not sure what folk don't understand.

Bethal has come in with zero experience, scored over 200 runs averaging over 50. There's absolutely nothing to lose with a more professional approach to international cricket and a total re-set.

Our vice captain / white ball captain is out getting pissed the night before an ODI. Good old Brendan removed the 12 oclock player curfew. Everyone drunk mid-series in Noosa. One x 3 day game in preperation against a lions team. Wood hadn't bowled since February. Archer no fitness for a five match series, only lasted 3 tests as they were so short. Somehow Stokes limped across the finish line. Three of Australias main bowlers sidelined. Half their top six batsmen struggling.

Robert Key stated we had been at 20% of our abilities. They have beaten us easily with four players.

All Bazball has achieved is to alienate the average cricket fan, damage a number of younger players, propogate a disrespectful drinking culture and stagnate us at the highest level. 

If i've ever got to watch Crawley and Duckett opening the batting for England again im going to go mental. 

Help!

I'm not sure what folk don't understand.