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*Official* Women's Ashes 2025

Spikey

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There is a gulf in talent but it's more than that - fielding, fitness, attitude, determination - the Aussies never lack these but the English ladies have fallen well short. I can understand that the Aussies will be better with bat and ball but at the very least, the English should match their fitness levels, should ensure their fielding is as good as possible and should have the same standards.
dont forget the australian beach culture
 

Molehill

Cricketer Of The Year
There is a gulf in talent but it's more than that - fielding, fitness, attitude, determination - the Aussies never lack these but the English ladies have fallen well short. I can understand that the Aussies will be better with bat and ball but at the very least, the English should match their fitness levels, should ensure their fielding is as good as possible and should have the same standards.
I'm not even sure there is a gulf in talent. 2 years ago they fought out a close draw and if England had won the toss in the Test, may well have won it overall (and quite comfortably so). But fitness levels have gone in opposite directions and for one reason or another, England are nowhere near their best in this Series whilst Australia clearly are.

It seems to have gone stale, the coach clearly has to go and probably a change of skipper too. The problem is, outside of NSB, there's just no obvious candidates and I'm really not sure NSB is the right option either.
 

Gremlin

U19 Vice-Captain
It's clearly a mental thing. Or the siege culture in the camp. Whatever it is, the coach must go.

England are talented cricketers, but as a unit they have gone rapidly backwards since the last Ashes contest.
 

kevinw

International Debutant
I'm not even sure there is a gulf in talent. 2 years ago they fought out a close draw and if England had won the toss in the Test, may well have won it overall (and quite comfortably so). But fitness levels have gone in opposite directions and for one reason or another, England are nowhere near their best in this Series whilst Australia clearly are.

It seems to have gone stale, the coach clearly has to go and probably a change of skipper too. The problem is, outside of NSB, there's just no obvious candidates and I'm really not sure NSB is the right option either.
I think NSB will be captain almost by default (or Amy Jones?) but I'd be tempted to take a punt on one of the younger batters who you think can lead the team through transition and enjoy the responsibility (and improve their own performance). I know she was out of the side for a while but I'd probably suggest Dunkley.
 

Molehill

Cricketer Of The Year
I think NSB will be captain almost by default (or Amy Jones?) but I'd be tempted to take a punt on one of the younger batters who you think can lead the team through transition and enjoy the responsibility (and improve their own performance). I know she was out of the side for a while but I'd probably suggest Dunkley.
Neither of those 2 strike me as smart cricketers. I'd be tempted to go completely leftfield and try Grace Scrivens. She was captain of the U19's and at 21, skippered the Sunrisers to the RHF Trophy last season. She played an intelligent knock in the Final and we could do with someone like that at the top of the order.
 

kevinw

International Debutant
Neither of those 2 strike me as smart cricketers. I'd be tempted to go completely leftfield and try Grace Scrivens. She was captain of the U19's and at 21, skippered the Sunrisers to the RHF Trophy last season. She played an intelligent knock in the Final and we could do with someone like that at the top of the order.
Oh yeah I'd have Scrivens in the team and she can do a Graeme Smith.
 

halba

International Debutant
I'm not even sure there is a gulf in talent. 2 years ago they fought out a close draw and if England had won the toss in the Test, may well have won it overall (and quite comfortably so). But fitness levels have gone in opposite directions and for one reason or another, England are nowhere near their best in this Series whilst Australia clearly are.

It seems to have gone stale, the coach clearly has to go and probably a change of skipper too. The problem is, outside of NSB, there's just no obvious candidates and I'm really not sure NSB is the right option either.
Theres definitely a gulf in ability/fitness thats for sure. talent is meaningless without fitness/execution .e.g in tennis Nick Kyrgios was really talented but had poor work ethic and fitness, hence only made 1 major final and is constantly injured.

Roger Federer, was really talented in tennis, but also had a good fitness regimen and work ethic to maximise, he wasnt injured that often in his prime years.
 

Shady Slim

International Coach
let us not forget: and i don't say this just to beat my chest or whatever - men's team has been minced every time they've come here since trundler graduated preschool. an ashes is a long and gruelling tour where your character comes out and gulfs and weaknesses between teams are really exposed. yes there are plenty of flaws in this england team, attitude, fitness, and so on, but for an england team with weaknesses there is absolutely nothing worse than an away tour with the ashes on the line for them to be exposed for the whole world
 

Molehill

Cricketer Of The Year
Just seen the 7 (Seven) chances put down. 4 straightforward, one you'd hope to get and 2 tough.

2 of the easy ones were Ecclestone at slip, whilst Bouchier dropped by far the easiest. These 2 have previous.....
 

Gremlin

U19 Vice-Captain
Calling Filer's C&B a 'drop' is harsh, however, the rest were fairly standard at international level especially the slip and gulley drops.

Thing is, the bowling has been good by all accounts.
 

Molehill

Cricketer Of The Year
Calling Filer's C&B a 'drop' is harsh, however, the rest were fairly standard at international level especially the slip and gulley drops.

Thing is, the bowling has been good by all accounts.
Yeah, I put Filer's and the edge into Jones' knee as the tough ones. The drive low to cover ought to be taken, the rest are simply unacceptable.
 

ashley bach

Cricketer Of The Year
Drops were poor from England but the reality is they were never making any difference to the outcome. They'll probably lose by an innings and 100+
Imagine having well over 400 runs on the board and Ellyse Perry coming in next.
 

Stefan9

International Debutant
I'm not even sure there is a gulf in talent. 2 years ago they fought out a close draw and if England had won the toss in the Test, may well have won it overall (and quite comfortably so). But fitness levels have gone in opposite directions and for one reason or another, England are nowhere near their best in this Series whilst Australia clearly are.

It seems to have gone stale, the coach clearly has to go and probably a change of skipper too. The problem is, outside of NSB, there's just no obvious candidates and I'm really not sure NSB is the right option either.
Not convinced replacing a 34 year old captain with a 32 year old makes much sense.
 

kevinw

International Debutant
Drops were poor from England but the reality is they were never making any difference to the outcome. They'll probably lose by an innings and 100+
Imagine having well over 400 runs on the board and Ellyse Perry coming in next.
A couple of the easy catches were at 190-3. Not saying it would have triggered a collapse but you never know. Drops when you're miles behind and demoralised matter a little less. Poor McDonald-Gay seemed to get a rough deal on the drops.
 

cascade

School Boy/Girl Cricketer
Surprised Perry didn't bat although she's obviously not needed. Carrying an injury or something?
Injured her hip fielding on the first day. Supposedly okay to bat if required but she was wearing her training kit all day so doesn't seem likely.
 

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