West Ham Online

Just been announced that Josh Hazlewood will miss the first test due to start in Perth next Friday. This is a big blow to the Australians as they will already be without their captain and no.1 pace bowler Pat Cummins.

Englands preparations for the tour has been questioned by many as they have opted to play no warm up games aside from a one off against the English lions. 

Many are saying that its crucial that we get of to a good start in Perth which basically means we cant afford to lose seeing as the 2nd test in Brisbane is a day/night game ( fucking ridiculous) where the Aussies are strongly fancied.

Looking forward to this now but really unsure of how it will play out, I guess I'd still make them slight favourites due to home advantage. Going to be a few all nighters in the coming weeks for me, let's hope it'll be worth it.

There is always a pompous know-it-all on every thread. I don't challenge other posters' opinions because I am not qualified to do so. I  love test cricket and listening to TMS

onsideman wrote: ↑06 Jan 2026, 08:35

Westham67 wrote: ↑06 Jan 2026, 08:03
Root was justifying Smith's dismiisal as well, it's pathetic for someone with his experience to go along with th Bazball mantra

 

Root was never going to dig out a teammate on tv. The fact that he wasn't adopting the same approach is all the evidence you need to confirm he wasn't justifying it

Doesn't make me feel better or worse Sven, just stating the facts.

If that makes you feel better so be it

Will be looking to push towards a 200 lead tomorrow
Still think they should have played a spinner
Has Stokes been suspended by the ECB for manhandling Labuschagne yet?
 

As good as Smith is, his batting prowess will be 3rd on the list of the things he'll be remembered for.

1. Conducting dressing room meetings to discuss and implement methods of cheating.

2. Crying on tv. Not out of shame or guilt,the tears were of one who got caught cheating.

3. Great batsman.

Westham67 wrote: ↑06 Jan 2026, 08:03
Root was justifying Smith's dismiisal as well, it's pathetic for someone with his experience to go along with th Bazball mantra

 

He's still a crybaby cheat.

Steve Smiths 13th Ashes century takes him past Jack Hobbs into second place behind Bradman (19 centuries).
73 innings batting @ 58
The greatest Ashes batsman of the modern era

 

Key, after the third test, said the players are only performing at 20% and Baz said maybe he did not get the preparation right

Root was justifying Smith's dismiisal as well, it's pathetic for someone with his experience to go along with th Bazball mantra

Think the greatest indicator of any arrogance is in the lack of preparation. Its as if the attitude was, 'all we have to do is turn up,it'll be ok'.

Probably a good thing that we'll in all likelihood end up at 4-1, 3-2 would have papered over some very gaping cracks.

*Not taking the new ball

The cult of Bazball mentality is being mentioned on TMS, about not taking the ball, "A determination not ot listen to outside influence"

Bethell has the best bowling average from his 5 overs



 

From the BBC

'Andrew Strauss' wife, Ruth, who died in 2018 from non-smoking lung cancer.'

Is 'non-smoking lung cancer' a bit like 'good AIDS' 

Pretty even day with Australia taking 170/7 & knocking off 166
Would have been Australia’s but for the late wicket of Labuschagne 
England still ahead given Australia have to bat last as the wicket deteriorates 
Australia with too many all rounders bat deep but tomorrow is a massive day for a few especially Green , Webster & Khawaja 

Westham67 wrote: ↑05 Jan 2026, 06:51 I have not bothered to stay up for the last two tests. I saw a replay of Smith's wicket. He wont be going up the batting order anytime soon. He has been dropped for the T20 World Cup

I have not bothered to stay up for the last two tests. I saw a replay of Smith's wicket. He wont be going up the batting order anytime soon. He has been dropped for the T20 World Cup

Massive missed opportunity for England 
End of an era for Australia, reckon at least half of this squad will be gone by the mid 2027 Ashes in England.
Khawaja, Hazlewood, Boland, Lyon, Neser & probably Smith retired
Wetherald, Labuschagne & Green dropped

This England team finally wakes up in the two dead rubber matches. Sums them up.

Flat track bullies and total melts when the heat is on.

Englands (shortened) day at Sydney
Sad day for Test cricket when neither team selects a specialist spinner for the second successive Test

It’s an average Australian team even they hold every bilateral Test trophy and the ODI World Cup
Havent sorted their preseries problems with the top 3 and the key bowlers have missed most Tests
No Hazlewood, Cummins one Test & Lyon 2 overs at Perth & an incomplete Adelaide Test
The good news is that as Dads Army moves on there is some exceptional talent in the wings

4th test doesn't gloss over the problems, Key (and it hurts me to say this as a Kent man) and McCullum need to go.  Bazball is a disaster and fails more than it succeeds.  We've made a bog average Australian side look like the far superior Aussie sides of the late 90's early 00's.

Atkinson is out for the last test

England win the toss, bowl first and win. Other two times they've won the toss this series and batted first they've lost. Makes a mockery of those who criticise England for bowling first, when they win the toss.