In my opinion, our best XI to face the Aussies in the Ashes would be:
Duckett Bethell Pope Root Brook Smith Stokes Dawson Atkinson Carse Archer/Wood
Great to see Dawson has been called up. Next thing to do is to bring Bethell in to open, switch Smith and Stokes and give Dawson a lucrative central contract come October.
In my opinion, our best XI to face the Aussies in the Ashes would be:
Duckett Bethell Pope Root Brook Smith Stokes Dawson Atkinson Carse Archer/Wood
Great to see Dawson has been called up. Next thing to do is to bring Bethell in to open, switch Smith and Stokes and give Dawson a lucrative central contract come October.
England love the fact that Crawley averages 150+ vs Cummins too much
Wow. His appearance in a white ball squad earlier this summer was a sign he was back in the fold, but this is a big change of heart from the England management.
If he does well, it will become very difficult to drop him for the Ashes, so a real opportunity for Dawson. And some pressure too.
Need to drop one of Pope or Crawley and I’d drop Crawley, Pope often comes in at 10/1 anyway
My Ashes XI
Pope Duckett Bethell Root Brook Stokes Smith Dawson Atkinson Carse Archer
Alternate Robinson and Wood for the fast bowlers when required
Problem is I’d like to see this side for the next 2 tests not just turning up at Brisbane have they got the cojones to change it now (batting line up I mean)
Need to drop one of Pope or Crawley and I’d drop Crawley, Pope often comes in at 10/1 anyway
My Ashes XI
Pope Duckett Bethell Root Brook Stokes Smith Dawson Atkinson Carse Archer
Alternate Robinson and Wood for the fast bowlers when required
Problem is I’d like to see this side for the next 2 tests not just turning up at Brisbane have they got the cojones to change it now (batting line up I mean)
Looks very similar to the one I posted previously albeit I switched Bethell and Pope round and similarly with Stokes and Smith. I think Robinson's ship has long since sailed unless the hierarchy are in a forgiving mood regarding his attitude although I think that's unlikely - they tend to stick with those they trust and not recall those that they perceive to have let the group down. Think Wood plus the likes of Tongue and Potts will be vying for those back up seam positions.
Need to drop one of Pope or Crawley and I’d drop Crawley, Pope often comes in at 10/1 anyway
My Ashes XI
Pope Duckett Bethell Root Brook Stokes Smith Dawson Atkinson Carse Archer
Alternate Robinson and Wood for the fast bowlers when required
Problem is I’d like to see this side for the next 2 tests not just turning up at Brisbane have they got the cojones to change it now (batting line up I mean)
Looks very similar to the one I posted previously albeit I switched Bethell and Pope round and similarly with Stokes and Smith. I think Robinson's ship has long since sailed unless the hierarchy are in a forgiving mood regarding his attitude although I think that's unlikely - they tend to stick with those they trust and not recall those that they perceive to have let the group down. Think Wood plus the likes of Tongue and Potts will be vying for those back up seam positions.
Robinson's ship hasn't just sailed , it's so far over the horizon you can't see it and he's only got himself to blame. Would expect it's between Potts,Cook and Tongue for the spare seamer role unless someone comes out of left field.
It's interesting how few votes are being cast for the player who turned the Ashes round last time with his bowling and was named man of the series. He's taken more wickets for England than seamer other than Gus Atkinson since the last Ashes.
He may have what's regarded as a poor record down under, but it's worth remembering he's taken more Test wickets in Australia than Dawson, Root, Carse, Atkinson and Archer combined. There's a case for an experienced bowler to give others help navigating conditions (and understanding the sledging).
It will be a real shame when Chris Woakes is forced to hang up his boots: someone who, I think, eventually became a lot of England cricket fans' favourite all-rounder. I don't think he'll make the Ashes squad. And I will be a bit sad if that's the case.
Need to drop one of Pope or Crawley and I’d drop Crawley, Pope often comes in at 10/1 anyway
My Ashes XI
Pope Duckett Bethell Root Brook Stokes Smith Dawson Atkinson Carse Archer
Alternate Robinson and Wood for the fast bowlers when required
Problem is I’d like to see this side for the next 2 tests not just turning up at Brisbane have they got the cojones to change it now (batting line up I mean)
I agree with everything but Robinson as a reserve. His time is done. I still reckon Crawley will be opening for the start of the series too.
I think we will take a stock of quicks to cover injury/rotation. Potts will be one who can be used to get through a lot of overs. Others will be Wood, Tongue, Overton. Outside bets for Stone/Mahmood. Probably a couple others I have missed.
It's interesting how few votes are being cast for the player who turned the Ashes round last time with his bowling and was named man of the series. He's taken more wickets for England than seamer other than Gus Atkinson since the last Ashes.
He may have what's regarded as a poor record down under, but it's worth remembering he's taken more Test wickets in Australia than Dawson, Root, Carse, Atkinson and Archer combined. There's a case for an experienced bowler to give others help navigating conditions (and understanding the sledging).
It will be a real shame when Chris Woakes is forced to hang up his boots: someone who, I think, eventually became a lot of England cricket fans' favourite all-rounder. I don't think he'll make the Ashes squad. And I will be a bit sad if that's the case.
He may make the squad but unlikely to play many unless there are injuries.
England will stage the next three editions of the World Test Championship finals in 2027, 2029 and 2031, the International Cricket Council has announced.
All three WTC finals so far have been held in England, with South Africa beating Australia in the 2025 showpiece at Lord's last month. And at its annual conference in Singapore, the ICC said it awarded hosting rights for the next three to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) "following a successful track record in hosting recent finals".
India had reportedly hoped to stage the next final in 2027. Chief executive Richard Gould said the ECB was "absolutely delighted" to have been chosen again.
England have yet to reach the WTC final and finished fifth in the 2023-25 cycle. Gould said being awarded the next three finals was a "testament to the passion that fans in this country have for this treasured format of the game and the willingness of supporters from around the world to travel here for these games." He added: "Hosting these finals is a privilege, and we look forward to working with the ICC to build on the success of the previous editions."
The ICC said its board also received an update on the support for Afghanistan women's cricketers. In April, the governing body announced a dedicated taskforce to support displaced female cricketers from Afghanistan, with the assistance of the ECB, Cricket Australia and the Board of Control for Cricket in India. Many of the Afghanistan's leading players fled following the Taliban's return to power in 2021, with female participation in sport effectively outlawed. The ICC said: "The programme aims to deliver structured support through high-performance initiatives, domestic playing opportunities, and engagement at key ICC global events, including the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 in India and the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 in England."
Was over at Chelmsford today for the u19 England v India test. The 'soon to be' great Vaibhav Suryavanshi was in the Indian side. India were fielding so unfortunately never saw him with the bat
Comments
1. Crawley
2. Duckett
3. Pope
4. Root
5. Brook
6. Stokes
7. Smith
8. Dawson
9. Carse
10. Archer
11. Tongue
Potentially Atkinson for Carse purely from a rotation standpoint.
Great to see Dawson has been called up. Next thing to do is to bring Bethell in to open, switch Smith and Stokes and give Dawson a lucrative central contract come October.
If he does well, it will become very difficult to drop him for the Ashes, so a real opportunity for Dawson. And some pressure too.
England docked 2 points for a slow over rate
My Ashes XI
Pope
Duckett
Bethell
Root
Brook
Stokes
Smith
Dawson
Atkinson
Carse
Archer
Alternate Robinson and Wood for the fast bowlers when required
Problem is I’d like to see this side for the next 2 tests not just turning up at Brisbane have they got the cojones to change it now (batting line up I mean)
He may have what's regarded as a poor record down under, but it's worth remembering he's taken more Test wickets in Australia than Dawson, Root, Carse, Atkinson and Archer combined. There's a case for an experienced bowler to give others help navigating conditions (and understanding the sledging).
It will be a real shame when Chris Woakes is forced to hang up his boots: someone who, I think, eventually became a lot of England cricket fans' favourite all-rounder. I don't think he'll make the Ashes squad. And I will be a bit sad if that's the case.
I think we will take a stock of quicks to cover injury/rotation. Potts will be one who can be used to get through a lot of overs. Others will be Wood, Tongue, Overton. Outside bets for Stone/Mahmood. Probably a couple others I have missed.
Potentially no Kumar Reddy,Akash Deep or Arshdeep for the next test. Anshul Kamboj called in as cover
England will stage the next three editions of the World Test Championship finals in 2027, 2029 and 2031, the International Cricket Council has announced.
All three WTC finals so far have been held in England, with South Africa beating Australia in the 2025 showpiece at Lord's last month. And at its annual conference in Singapore, the ICC said it awarded hosting rights for the next three to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) "following a successful track record in hosting recent finals".
India had reportedly hoped to stage the next final in 2027. Chief executive Richard Gould said the ECB was "absolutely delighted" to have been chosen again.England have yet to reach the WTC final and finished fifth in the 2023-25 cycle. Gould said being awarded the next three finals was a "testament to the passion that fans in this country have for this treasured format of the game and the willingness of supporters from around the world to travel here for these games." He added: "Hosting these finals is a privilege, and we look forward to working with the ICC to build on the success of the previous editions."
The ICC said its board also received an update on the support for Afghanistan women's cricketers. In April, the governing body announced a dedicated taskforce to support displaced female cricketers from Afghanistan, with the assistance of the ECB, Cricket Australia and the Board of Control for Cricket in India. Many of the Afghanistan's leading players fled following the Taliban's return to power in 2021, with female participation in sport effectively outlawed. The ICC said: "The programme aims to deliver structured support through high-performance initiatives, domestic playing opportunities, and engagement at key ICC global events, including the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 in India and the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 in England."
The 'soon to be' great Vaibhav Suryavanshi was in the Indian side.
India were fielding so unfortunately never saw him with the bat