10 h. ago England’s bowlers strike as wickets continue to tumble at the MCG

At the break Australia’s lead stood at 140.

Events

27 h. ago England’s Ashes chaos continues as 20 wickets tumble in farcical start to Boxing Day Test

Australia secured a first-innings lead despite being bowled out for 152 at the MCG

Events

50 h. ago Ashes star was brutally axed from squad in the toilet on Christmas Day

A former England bowler has recalled the gut-wrenching way he was told he had been axed for the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne

Politics

52 h. ago 'I received heartbreaking Ashes news in toilet on Christmas Day'

A former England bowler has recalled the painful moment he found out he'd been dropped during a rare successful Ashes tour Down Under

Politics

3 d. ago Five big Boxing Day Ashes Tests: Botham, Pietersen and Warne

Opening salvos before a huge MCG crowd are often among the most memorable meetings between Australia and England – here are five crackersIn the first session Australia set off at a lick, surging to 102 without loss with David Warner’s 83 the crux. Warner would go on to notch his 21st Test century, but not without a spot of drama when one run shy. Pity poor Tom Curran, who thought he had claimed Warner on 99 after the batter had spooned to mid-on and the eager hands of Stuart Broad. However, a replay revealed the England bowler had overstepped and his maiden Test wicket was snatched from his grasp. Continue reading...

Events

8 d. ago Ashes 2025 live score: Australia lead passes 200 as England bowlers struggle in third Test

The tourists finished the first innings on 286 but trailed by 204 runs by tea after struggling with the ball in Adelaide on day three

Politics

9 d. ago England’s Ashes hopes melt away as Australian bowlers share spoils in the sun

Third Test, day two: England 213-8; Australia 371Tourists trail by 158 after late Stokes and Archer standAt the end of a brain-boiling second day in South Australia two things could be said with a fair degree of certainty: England were staring at the termination of their already faint Ashes hopes and players on both sides had lost faith in the Snicko technology.The match situation first, which at stumps pointed firmly towards Australia and the 3-0 lead that was ultimately loading. England had subsided to 213 for eight from 68 overs in reply to Australia’s 371 all out, trailing by 158 runs and hugely grateful to Jofra Archer, 30 not out, holding firm alongside Ben Stokes during the final hour. Continue reading...

Politics

9 d. ago Australia turn up the heat on England: Ashes third Test, day two – live

Australia all out for 371; England fume over Snicko call Ashes top 100 | Follow on Bluesky | Email MartinThe consensus is that today and tomorrow will be the best days to bat. England need to go huge, because they won’t fancy chasing too many against Nathan Lyon on day five.“As the cliche has it, it’s a crucial first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh hour,” writes Gary Naylor. “Are Australia bringing 871 Test wickets into an already winning team or imbalancing their attack with a couple of rusty bowlers? Are England Bazball zealots or pragmatic pros? Did 2006 happen at all? Feels like the opening credits of an episode of Soap.” Continue reading...

Society

1 week ago Alex Carey century for Australia as England bowlers battle in the Adelaide heat

Australia ended the opening day of the third Test on 326 for eight after winning the toss.

Events

1 week ago Ashes 2025 live: England strike with two wickets in first over after lunch

The third Test begins at the Adelaide Oval with England 2-0 down to Australia in the series

Events

2 w. ago The Spin | From jaffas to the corridor of uncertainty – revel in cricket’s rich language of bowling

The act of bowling is simple, the vocabulary used to describe it reflects the difficulty in pinning down its artistry and craftEvery act in cricket’s history has begun with a bowler delivering a ball to a batter 22 yards away. Delivering. Like a postman delivers a council tax bill. Like a waiter delivers a round of drinks. Of all the verbs used to describe the bowling of a ball, this one speaks to the deep-seated cultural inequity that has plagued this sport since its inception.“If there was ever a word that proves we live in a batter’s world, this is it,” says Steve Harmison, the fearsome fast bowler turned commentator who delivered 16,313 balls for England across eight years. “But not every delivery is the same. Some come gift-wrapped like a present at Christmas. Some can jump up and smack you in the face.” Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago England blow as injured Mark Wood ruled out for remaining Ashes Tests

England pace bowler Mark Wood has been ruled out of the final three Ashes Tests in Australia.

Events

2 w. ago England suffer huge Ashes injury blow as bowler ruled out for the rest of the series

England have been handed another Ashes setback with Mark Wood not able to play any further part against Australia and Surrey's Matthew Fisher drafted in as a replacement

Events

3 w. ago England star Jofra Archer slammed for 'shocking look' as Australia pile on Ashes pressure

The England fast bowler arrived for day three of the second Test Match at the Gabba holding a pillow

Events

3 w. ago Wayward England pace attack fumble their golden chance to strike with new ball | Simon Burnton

So good in the first innings in Perth, England’s bowlers were dismal in the opening session on day two to let Australia off the hookJofra Archer’s first ball zinged towards Jake Weatherald and screamed just past the bat. His second arrowed into his pads, knocking him off his feet, and after a review the umpire raised his finger.Forty-five overs later, Australia were all out for not many. But that was Perth, a bowling performance that started with a statement of intent from England’s premier fast bowler and a lead followed by his teammates. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago England Ashes player ratings as Joe Root shines but bowlers hammered

Joe Root scored a brilliant 138 not out as England's talisman put in another masterclass following his century in Adelaide, only for Australia to end day two of the Ashes finale at the Gabba on top

Sport

3 w. ago Oh Duckett. I was fearing for Crawley when I should have been worrying about Ben | Max Rushden

Up against the brilliant Mitchell Starc and his band of bowlers, even a dot ball for England in the Ashes is a moment of relief “Must be amazing to be in Australia for the Ashes, what’s the atmosphere like?” It’s an understandable, if slightly daft question. Brett Lee isn’t in my house. I don’t wake up next to a furious Jonathan Agnew. “WHY AREN’T YOU IN CANBERRA, MAX?” I’m 850 miles from Brisbane.Apart from me the atmosphere is one of wild indifference amongst the family. The good news is I’m hosting the Guardian Ashes Weekly podcast - now a professional excuse to watch another five (or two) days of agony. Continue reading...

Politics

4 w. ago Ashes legend left bankrupt after 'bad decisions' died skint with nothing in will to family

An ex-England bowler, who was part of a successful Ashes series, had built up financial issues before his death

Events

4 w. ago Are England actually honest with themselves? If they are, they’ll know they have to change | Mark Ramprakash

Ben Stokes’s batters must realise the aggressive option doesn’t always mean attacking Australia’s bowlers, and if they don’t, it could be all over in BrisbaneIt’s not over yet. There is still hope. Before the Ashes started I had plenty of it, because of England’s fantastic array of fast bowlers and because I felt they had improved on their crash‑bang‑wallop, one-size‑fits‑all approach to batting. Then the series got under way, and while the bowlers did their bit, the batters failed badly. After the two-day humiliation in Perth they are inevitably under the microscope – but while everyone is questioning England’s approach, how much are they challenging themselves?I based my optimism on some of what I had seen over the summer. In the first innings against India at Lord’s Joe Root and Ollie Pope put on 109 runs at almost exactly three an over, staying calm and building a foundation that eventually won their side the match. I watched that and admired the way they had refined their attit...

Politics