*Official* Road to the 2025-26 Ashes

[kevinw]

Pat Brown had a good day but I don't think there is much pretence he's going to be anywhere near Test level but Cook bowling tightly and picking up wickets shows that this idea he won't cut it at this level doesn't fly (just pick him, if he fails, then fine).

 

[Qlder]

Pat Brown had a good day but I don't think there is much pretence he's going to be anywhere near Test level but Cook bowling tightly and picking up wickets shows that this idea he won't cut it at this level doesn't fly (just pick him, if he fails, then fine).

When you say cut it at this level, none of the CA bats are anywhere near the Test team. Tim Ward is the only one picked in the upcoming A game

 

[kevinw]

When you say cut it at this level, none of the CA bats are anywhere near the Test team. Tim Ward is the only one picked in the upcoming A game

I partly meant in Australia. Cook averages less than 20 in FC cricket for what is the second best county side and far, far lesser bowlers have been selected ahead of him because of a perception that he's not quick enough. You only know if a guy is good enough if you pick him.

 

[Qlder]

Tom Whitney stepping up when Lions were cruising at 2-134. Whitney then took 3/1 in 7 balls, including Davies and Rew, the 2 bats most likely to be on the Ashes tour

 

[Qlder]

16 year old Rocky Flintoff on 55*. This guy should be pretty good by the 2029/30 Ashes

Edt: Flintoff ended up with 108. Pretty impressive really as Bell, Elliott and Whitney are pretty decent Shield bowlers for a 16 year old to face

 

[Qlder]

Tim Ward not doing his Ashes chances any harm with 115* in first CA game and now 62* so far in this one. If he does well in the A game could he be a shout for the Windies tour in July?

 

[morgieb]

Tim Ward not doing his Ashes chances any harm with 115* in first CA game and now 62* so far in this one. If he does well in the A game could he be a shout for the Windies tour in July?

Has clearly improved a lot this year. If he can start turning those 70-80's to tons then there'll definitely be interest once Usman retires.

 

[Qlder]

I can't see Khawaja making the Ashes. If he fails in 2 tests in SL and then the WTC his spot should really be under huge scrutiny for the 3 tests in West Indies before the Ashes

Pretty sad effort from the Australian openers since Warner retired

Smith: 4 tests, 171 runs @ 28.50, 1 50
Konstas: 2 tests, 113 runs @ 28.25, 1 50
Khawaja: 9 tests, 411 runs @ 25.68, 2 50's
McSweeney: 3 tests, 72 runs @ 14.40, 0 50's

 

[kevinw]

See off Sam Cook, feast into the rest of the buffet bowling.

 

[Qlder]

See off Sam Cook, feast into the rest of the buffet bowling.

That's funny when England's incumbent Test spinner Bashir is playing in that "buffet", as is Test bowler Josh Tongue

 

[kevinw]

That's funny when England's incumbent Test spinner Bashir is playing in that "buffet", as is Test bowler Josh Tongue

Tongue is finding his way back from injury. Bashir is a second XI spinner who was brought into Test cricket on vibes, did well in a couple of Tests, but his returns will worsen and he will get the treatment in the Ashes.

 

[honestbharani]

Tongue is finding his way back

TMI

 

[Molehill]

That's funny when England's incumbent Test spinner Bashir is playing in that "buffet", as is Test bowler Josh Tongue

Doesn't seem to be much in it for the spinners.

But it'll be interesting to see if Australia create more spin friendly wickets next year, because they have a clear advantage in Lyon v Bashir (although hoping he's been dropped by then).

 

[TheJediBrah]

Doesn't seem to be much in it for the spinners.

But it'll be interesting to see if Australia create more spin friendly wickets next year, because they have a clear advantage in Lyon v Bashir (although hoping he's been dropped by then).

You've said something along these lines a few times, but nothing in the last decade of Test cricket in Australia would indicate that giving the home side an advantage is a factor in pitch preparation. Ftr I think it should be, it's just not happening

 

[kevinw]

If England don't want to go back to Leach or pick Dawson/Carson and have essentially whittled it down to Ahmed or Bashir, then I'd take the former any day or the week. For one, he can bat but I also think he's more likely to produce something out of nothing.

 

[Spark]

Most of our curators couldn't prepare a spin friendly wicket if their life physically depended on it - which is a real shame tbh because it would add some much needed variety, especially at Shield level.

The pitches will almost certainly be similar to this summer's; mostly fast bowler friendly with some tending towards balance and some... not so much.

 

[mackembhoy]

If England don't want to go back to Leach or pick Dawson/Carson and have essentially whittled it down to Ahmed or Bashir, then I'd take the former any day or the week. For one, he can bat but I also think he's more likely to produce something out of nothing.

Obviously you mean Rehan.

But after how well Farhan has started be interesting to see how he fares with a full season as Notts number 1 spinner.

Archie Vaughan looks a very handy spinner too and he's an opening bat to boot.