• The forums will be unavailable for a few hours on Saturday 6th June, when they do return they will initially be in a degraded state with some features missing, but normal posting/reading will be possible. The main website will not be affected by these updates.
    New user registrations are currently disabled.
    Some other features of the forum are also currently disabled.

Ashes Squad 2025

On paper anyway, the weakest Australia squad we've faced out there in a while imo. I don't necessarily mind us getting beat out there as very much used to it now, but if we lose through playing silly shots etc then that's another matter
 

Funny how when Durham sign uncapped Aussies they seem to end up selected to play for Australia.

Wasn't expecting it to happen to the 31 yo Doggett though. :lol:
 
On paper anyway, the weakest Australia squad we've faced out there in a while imo. I don't necessarily mind us getting beat out there as very much used to it now, but if we lose through playing silly shots etc then that's another matter
Think better taking the attack to them like we did in 2005 and standing up to them.

Rather than weakly surrendering to them by been frightened to play any shots and been bullied by them which seems to happen most away ashes
There's a fine line between aggressive cricket and silly shots.
There certainly is, and we all want the right balance.
 
Last edited:
Think better taking the attack to them like we did in 2005 and standing up to them.

Rather than weakly surrendering to them by been frightened to play any shots and been bullied by them which seems to happen most away ashes

There certainly is, and we all want the right balance.
You're correct, we just want the right balance. It doesn't mean throwing away wickets cheaply
 
If somebody could guarantee that all our players, especially all our fast bowlers were fully fit for the whole series.

Think we would have a really good chance.

Problem is that it’s a very big if!!
 
If somebody could guarantee that all our players, especially all our fast bowlers were fully fit for the whole series.

Think we would have a really good chance.

Problem is that it’s a very big if!!
It's going to come down to the fitness of both seam attacks. The Aussies missing Cummins for at least the first test and both Starc and Hazlewood have had their injury issues and aren't getting any younger, then you have England with their well-known injuries to the quicks.
 
It's going to come down to the fitness of both seam attacks. The Aussies missing Cummins for at least the first test and both Starc and Hazlewood have had their injury issues and aren't getting any younger, then you have England with their well-known injuries to the quicks.
True. But I think they will play smarter cricket, and grind it out where it matters.

Carey to play a backs to the wall innings whereas Smith tries to hit one over deep mid wicket. (That India capitulation still pisses me off, even more so that we all just accepted it)
 
True. But I think they will play smarter cricket, and grind it out where it matters.

Carey to play a backs to the wall innings whereas Smith tries to hit one over deep mid wicket. (That India capitulation still pisses me off, even more so that we all just accepted it)
That could be the key.Aggressive cricket is fine but can England adapt to rein it in when required?
 
That could be the key.Aggressive cricket is fine but can England adapt to rein it in when required?
Indeed. I just had a look at the Edgbaston card. We lost at post 5pm after Smith had been caught on the boundary

I know there were overs. But he had Carse who made 38. Even Bashir hung around.

It felt like we gave up
 
All selections to a higher level are to some extent guesswork but less so if you apply logic to yoursu

All I'm arguing is that players shouldn't be automatically excluded because of shortcoming s early in their career. Hameeddid and show he had the temperament for test level. Seem to recall some really gutsy innings when a youngster.
Yeah, I remember Hameed having a decent start to his test career and it was a tour of India where he broke his hand and still batted on making 50?

He didn't get straight back in to the England side when his injury recovered and was asked to make some more county runs with Lancs. This never happened. He then had to turn his career around at Notts where he's been outstanding tbf.

His game has improved. His strike rate is respectable, no longer just survives. Like others have mentioned is only 28. I wouldn't personally have him as England opener but I wouldn't be adverse to him being back in around as cover.
 
They are still strong favourites for me we have not won a single test for 15 years down under. We would need Wood & Archer to play and do well. Hope for a good series but think it will be the usual meek performances down there.
 
They are still strong favourites for me we have not won a single test for 15 years down under. We would need Wood & Archer to play and do well. Hope for a good series but think it will be the usual meek performances down there.
We've got the batting line up but bowling is a worry and heat will be a factor
 
Back
Top