2nd Ashes Test: Australia v England @ The Gabba Thu Dec 4-8, 2025

[TheParraboy]

England play a PM X1 2 day D/N in Canberra Nov 29-30

Looks like Cummins half a chance for Brisbane

Think Usman and Lyon may not be there either , just a hunch

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ashes-1st-test-smith-stalls-talk-on-head-s-permanent-role-as-ashes-opener-1512347

 

[Fangs]

Tough one but I'd tell Usman to retire. The injuries are just so untimely. He can go out the same way Healy did.

Webster for Usman seems quite likely with Head staying up the top.

We could really use Cummins or Haze who are absolutely lethal in D/N cricket. Starc is great too. If we had all three then we'd be a strong chance to go up 2-0 this series.

 

[Chins]

Yep Webster in for Usman and Mad Marnus up to opener

 

[Bazal]

I'd be sad to see Uzi's career end on this note but he definitely looks washed.

Head and Mad Marn aren't the answer up the top though for mine. It surely won't be Marn anyway based on Smith's comments in the presser. They might give Head a go

 

[Chins]

I'd be sad to see Uzi's career end on this note but he definitely looks washed.

Head and Mad Marn aren't the answer up the top though for mine. It surely won't be Marn anyway based on Smith's comments in the presser. They might give Head a go

Isn't Weatherbald meant to be the attacking opener? I don't like going with 2 of them.

 

[Bazal]

Isn't Weatherbald meant to be the attacking opener? I don't like going with 2 of them.

I agree. I also think it takes away a weapon in the middle order. But what most of us would do and what our lame selectors will do are usually two different things tbh.

 

[TheParraboy]

Weatherald surely keeps his spot? No brainer

Renshaw comes in to open with him for mine moving forward if Usman out

Nesser or Fergus for Lyon
Strengthens the batting and bowling

 

[Bazal]

Webster for Lyon could be an option if they don't want the spinner. A little further from left field but Carey could bat 8. Green is basically a front line bowler (although ofc you want to use him less than one) and Webster can bowl seam or tweak. No reason you can't get 25-30 good overs out of them combined, and then a handful of overs from Head and even Labs too if they're needed.

Personally as much as I don't rate him I always like having a spinner. But with the way we batted....

 

[85 Baby]

Pretty pathetic of Travis Head to go for a century instead of just shaking Stokes’ hand

 

[King-Gutho94]

What are England going to do

Keep the same 11

 

[mozza91]

We should rest Smith, Head and Starc to give the Poms a chance.

 

[Twizzle]

Hope Paddy and Haze are back, got tickets to day 3.

Not sure I would want to drop Head from opener after his 1st test performance. If the boat is out, it will make picking Slug easier, although we should probably have a specialist spinner.

 

[jargan83]

What are England going to do

Keep the same 11


View attachment 107982

You just know they're going to wi8th the post match comments.

"We don't want to go away from the Blueprint" - Brendan McCullum after getting smoked inside two days.

 

[King-Gutho94]

 

[TheParraboy]

What are England going to do

Keep the same 11


View attachment 107982

Id keep their bowlers

Its the batsmen who let them down badly, and tbh there really isnt anyone you could drop other than Crawley but they probably persist with him, after all Macca did say keep the faith, so you cant be dropping players

Wood an Archer didnt bowl to much plus got a 12 days break, You would think they would be good to go , its pink ball test, and really Poms last chance to make something of this series. 2-0 down, and its basically curtains. No way they winning 3 in a row from there


Yes same 11 please

 

[PJ]

My back would make a ridiculous recovery if I was down to play with Grace Hayden

 

[Twizzle]

Id keep their bowlers

Its the batsmen who let them down badly, and tbh there really isnt anyone you could drop other than Crawley but they probably persist with him, after all Macca did say keep the faith, so you cant be dropping players

Wood an Archer didnt bowl to much plus got a 12 days break, You would think they would be good to go , its pink ball test, and really Poms last chance to make something of this series. 2-0 down, and its basically curtains. No way they winning 3 in a row from there


Yes same 11 please

based on their interview before the first test, I dont think they will back up, Archer was cooked on day 2, image he has to play 5 days

but yeah, I hope they play the same 11

 

[Twizzle]

fair bit to unpack here, a lot of selections still up in the air

 

[JJ]

I see the quotes from McCullum and Stokes, and I almost feel like 5-0 is what’s needed… perhaps in under 15 days…. The unwillingness to entertain other views or criticism is astonishing…

 

[Fangs]

I see the quotes from McCullum and Stokes, and I almost feel like 5-0 is what’s needed… perhaps in under 15 days…. The unwillingness to entertain other views or criticism is astonishing…

I agree.

5 zip would put an true end to this Bazball nonsense. He needs to be a life coach really.