The Ashes.

[only1billybonds]

Just been announced that Josh Hazlewood will miss the first test due to start in Perth next Friday. This is a big blow to the Australians as they will already be without their captain and no.1 pace bowler Pat Cummins.

Englands preparations for the tour has been questioned by many as they have opted to play no warm up games aside from a one off against the English lions. 

Many are saying that its crucial that we get of to a good start in Perth which basically means we cant afford to lose seeing as the 2nd test in Brisbane is a day/night game ( fucking ridiculous) where the Aussies are strongly fancied.

Looking forward to this now but really unsure of how it will play out, I guess I'd still make them slight favourites due to home advantage. Going to be a few all nighters in the coming weeks for me, let's hope it'll be worth it.

[Westham67]

There is always a pompous know-it-all on every thread. I don't challenge other posters' opinions because I am not qualified to do so. I  love test cricket and listening to TMS

Do you prefer TMS now compared to 'before'  ?

Before Arlott, Blofeld and Johnson. I listened to 85 / 86 ashes on TMS

[Fauxstralian]

Saw Darren Lehman on one of the Ashes coverages
Coach of Northamptonshire (?) & said he’d never met an England selector or any of the coaching staff

McCullum looks like a lazy chancer to me who just doesn’t want to work too hard or get out around the county circuit
He is also Chris Cairns mate and didn’t report a match fixing approach for 3 years
He also retired very suddenly from international cricket after he’d made a rapid Test century
Bazball would be perfect for a bit of spot fixing 

England should have an English coach who gives a shit about winning the Ashes and is devastated when they don’t 

[southbankbornnbred]

View from a couple of cricket hacks on papers is that McCullum will be sacked - and will probably get a nice payoff. Key's future depends on his willingness to oversee changes, but there's a growing feeling that he might have to go.

I wasn't aware of this, but it seems the counties have been complaining about Baaaz for some time. The recent anonymous briefings were "not the first time" the ECB heard senior county figures rant about McCullum's complete absence from county grounds. He's never been interested in watching the red ball game and relies on senior players to tell him about future talent. He flies straight back to NZ after every test series - does no scouting in the UK.

Everybody wants Stokes to stay on.

[Fauxstralian]

Starc, Head & Carey were outstanding for Australia but others ranged from mediocre to ok
Havent sorted the top 3 problem apart from weakening the middle order by moving Head & the pre series strength in bowling saw Hazlewood Cummins & Lyon hardly appearing if at all

Englands preparation & attitude was appalling & the only positive is they realised too late that Tongue & Bethell are in their best team
Stokes should stay as captain but the Kiwi chancer McCullum needs to be booted for an ENGLISH coach who pays attention to county cricket
 

[Takashi Miike]

that brook story is amazing, clearly zero leadership or standards from the kiwi in charge and his captain

[Monsieur merde de cheval]

Key, after the third test, said the players are only performing at 20% and Baz said maybe he did not get the preparation right

Root was justifying Smith's dismiisal as well, it's pathetic for someone with his experience to go along with th Bazball mantra

Root is a strange fella..
  plenty of talent when he decides to turn up .. seriously lacking an  arsehole 

[Monsieur merde de cheval]

There is always a pompous know-it-all on every thread. I don't challenge other posters' opinions because I am not qualified to do so. I  love test cricket and listening to TMS

Do you prefer TMS now compared to 'before'  ?

[Monsieur merde de cheval]

Swann is a cringe wanker ...
I can just see him holding court in is local  village boozer.
Chef must have the patience  of a saint suffering that fucker

[Monsieur merde de cheval]

A fucking Embarrassment ..
Spineless cunts who clearly have  NOTHING  about them.
But that's okay , Joe Root is a GOAT.
is he fuck as like .
Hes a fuckin minge who turns up occasionally, never when it MATTERS

[Westham67]

Stephan Shemilt, BBC chief cricket reporter 


Ashes 2025-26: 'Day three in Sydney felt like end of an era for England' - BBC Sport

[twoleftfeet]

Is Potts the Kilman of the England side? 

[Eerie Decent]

If that makes you feel better so be it

Will be looking to push towards a 200 lead tomorrow
Still think they should have played a spinner
Has Stokes been suspended by the ECB for manhandling Labuschagne yet?


 

Manhandling? Ah, bless him.

Saffa's are made of sterner stuff than you woke Aussies, maaaaate.

[Westham67]

There is always a pompous know-it-all on every thread. I don't challenge other posters' opinions because I am not qualified to do so. I  love test cricket and listening to TMS

[Westham67]

Root was justifying Smith's dismiisal as well, it's pathetic for someone with his experience to go along with th Bazball mantra

 

Root was never going to dig out a teammate on tv. The fact that he wasn't adopting the same approach is all the evidence you need to confirm he wasn't justifying it

What Root was trying to pull long hops from a 3rd tier bowler to a leg side field?

[only1billybonds]

Doesn't make me feel better or worse Sven, just stating the facts.

[Fauxstralian]

If that makes you feel better so be it

Will be looking to push towards a 200 lead tomorrow
Still think they should have played a spinner
Has Stokes been suspended by the ECB for manhandling Labuschagne yet?
 

[only1billybonds]

As good as Smith is, his batting prowess will be 3rd on the list of the things he'll be remembered for.

1. Conducting dressing room meetings to discuss and implement methods of cheating.

2. Crying on tv. Not out of shame or guilt,the tears were of one who got caught cheating.

3. Great batsman.

[onsideman]

Root was justifying Smith's dismiisal as well, it's pathetic for someone with his experience to go along with th Bazball mantra

 

 

Root was never going to dig out a teammate on tv. The fact that he wasn't adopting the same approach is all the evidence you need to confirm he wasn't justifying it

[Far Cough UKunt]

He's still a crybaby cheat.

[Fauxstralian]

Steve Smiths 13th Ashes century takes him past Jack Hobbs into second place behind Bradman (19 centuries).
73 innings batting @ 58
The greatest Ashes batsman of the modern era

 

[Westham67]

Key, after the third test, said the players are only performing at 20% and Baz said maybe he did not get the preparation right

Root was justifying Smith's dismiisal as well, it's pathetic for someone with his experience to go along with th Bazball mantra

[only1billybonds]

Think the greatest indicator of any arrogance is in the lack of preparation. Its as if the attitude was, 'all we have to do is turn up,it'll be ok'.

Probably a good thing that we'll in all likelihood end up at 4-1, 3-2 would have papered over some very gaping cracks.

[Westham67]

*Not taking the new ball

[Westham67]

The cult of Bazball mentality is being mentioned on TMS, about not taking the ball, "A determination not ot listen to outside influence"

[Westham67]

Bethell has the best bowling average from his 5 overs