Key events
Pitch watch
The consensus is, it hasn’t deteriorated.
The highest Test match chase is 418 says Steven Finn, and after that point it becomes an uphill task.
The good news is that Ben Stokes is in a marroon vest , his mullett on point and is bowling in the nets.
A post-mortem email. Too soon, Matthew Lawrenson, too soon.
“If England lose this series, as it looks as though they will, and badly (ditto) – what will happen afterwards? The usual routine is appointing a committee who recommends reorganising County Cricket to benefit the England team. As the current regime has pretty much ignored County Cricket, what do you think they would think of next?”
Surely they can’t reorganise county cricket again. They’ve only just found some kind of settlement after the Strauss report. But maybe they might start paying attention to Championship performances. Or stretch it over a full summer again.
Should England need inspiration, they need look no further than the Big Bash, where Brisbane Heat have chased down the greatest BBL run chase at the Gabba.
Just watching Travis Head on the highlights, bristling through his moustache to 142 not out. Carey starts the day unbeaten on 52. Geoff might be enjoying Bazball’s demise below.
Preamble
Tanya Aldred
Hello – from a Christmassy London, fleet-footed from the sports desk Christmas drinks.
It’s important at this point to say that England still have a chance to win the Ashes. Important because it might be the last time anyone can say that for the rest of the series. And the next two years.
The current Australian lead is 356. But England’s highest successful run-chase is 378 – against India at Edgbaston in 2022 at the height of Bazball – and as recently as this summer they galloped to 373 against India at Headingley.
They know how to do it. The muscle memory is there.
But Starc.
But Cummins.
But Lyon.
Hope springs eternal.
Hello – from a Christmassy London, fleet-footed from the sports desk Christmas drinks,
It’s important at this point to say that England still have a chance to win the Ashes. Important because it might be the last time anyone can say that for the rest of the series. And the next two years.
The current Australian lead is 356. But England’s highest successful run-chase is 378 – against India at Edgbaston in 2022 at the height of Bazball- and as recently as this summer they galloped to 373 against India at Headingley.
They know how to do it. The muscle memory is there.
But Starc.
But Cummins.
But Lyon.
Hope springs eternal.
