77 m. ago Zak Crawley’s handsome drives steady England ship and show power of perseverance | Simon Burnton

England fans were bracing themselves for a familiar and depressing few hours before the opener finally came goodAnthems over, Zak Crawley left the field and took the water handed to him by Matt Potts. If he was a little dry of mouth it would hardly be a surprise – even without the burden of the brace of ducks he took from the first Test, the situation he was about to walk into might have verged awkwardly close to terrifying. He downed half the bottle, donned his helmet and turned back around.Mitchell Starc, the bowler who dismissed him in the opening over of each innings in Perth and is even more effective in these day-night games, dried his hands on the sun-baked turf as Crawley made his way to the middle, and picked up the new pink ball. Continue reading...

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4 h. ago Mitchell Starc continues his mission to wreck England’s Ashes hopes in Brisbane

Root, still chasing an elusive first century on Australian soil, is crucial to English hopes as the game moves towards its night-time phase.

Events

6 h. ago Ashes: Zak Crawley falls after leading early England fightback in second Test

Opener falls for 76 after key partnership with Joe Root saw tourists fight back from 5-2 at the Gabba

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6 h. ago Zak Crawley and Joe Root mount England fightback after two early wickets

England reached 98 for two at tea in the Brisbane day-night second Ashes Test after losing Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope for ducks.

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6 d. ago Zak Crawley gets clear verdict after England's Ashes failure as critics branded 'hypocrites'

England Ashes hero Steve Harmison has come out in defence of opener Zak Crawley following his dreadful start to the series in Perth - and defended the tourists over their preparation

Events

7 d. ago No ducking batting problems for England as first Test pitch rated ‘very good’

England have flown from Perth to Brisbane to begin the build-up to the second Test.

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1 week ago Zak Crawley’s awkward prod sends England down another terminal spiral | Simon Burnton

This team refuse on a point of principle to rein themselves in but latest batting collapse lays bare glaring weaknessesIt is the UK that is living through a cold snap, but in balmy Perth they were playing in a snow globe. The scenery was static, solid, but everything else was constantly getting shaken up, bits flying in unpredictable directions. The crowd roared, commentators gibbered, the glitter never settled.Unlike the first day England were not batting at the start, though they were not long delayed. At which point a pattern quickly emerged, one that almost perfectly repeated that established on the previous day, while also being completely different. The bowler who was useless was good, the marginal, unconvincing snickometer-based review that was not out was now given. Some things were both precisely the same (Australia’s tactics against England’s tail, how the tail reacted to Australia’s tactics) and also, at the same time, completely the opposite (the outcome). Continue readi...

Events

1 week ago England fans make feelings clear but Zak Crawley's unwanted record sums up Ashes collapse

Day one of the Ashes in Perth was a breath-taking spectacle and day two followed suit as wickets continued to fall, with tourists England still in a dominant position.

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1 week ago Zak Crawley makes second duck before England take control of first Ashes Test

Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope guided the tourists to a 99-run lead at lunch on day two in Perth.

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1 week ago Ashes 2025 live score: Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope push lead towards 100 after early dismissal of Zak Crawley

England lead by 94 runs but Mitchell Starc strikes in first over of second innings to dismiss Crawley

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1 week ago Ashes 2025 live score: Zak Crawley dismissed for another duck as England lose early wicket in second innings

England lead by 49 runs but Mitchell Starc strikes in first over of second innings to dismiss Crawley

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1 week ago England’s fab five bully Australia’s finest with faultless display of raw aggression | Simon Burnton

By the time Mark Wood replaced Jofra Archer the only thing Steve Smith seemed to know for certain was that he wanted to be at the non-striker’s endAfter freewheeling at increasing pace for 16 giddy months, the Ashes hypemobile had to run out of road. But instead of letting it come to a juddering halt, the 22 players somehow managed to conjure a fresh acceleration.It is implausible for something as anticipated as this not to produce disappointment, as anyone who follows England knows far too well. Those memories will have flooded miserably back when Zak Crawley nicked the sixth ball of the day to slip. His wicket marked the start of not only the sudden whoosh of optimism leaking from the English balloon, but of a day of 19 wickets, bowling of impeccable quality (with exceptions) and absurd entertainment. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago England’s batting decimated by Mitchell Starc on opening day of the Ashes

The tourists were bowled out for just 172 in 33 overs in Perth.

Politics

3 w. ago The Spin | Why the first ball of the Ashes is both an end and a beginning

From Zak Crawley hitting Pat Cummins for four to Rory Burns’ duck, it is seen as a tone-setting prophecyYou always remember the first. Senses heightened, clammy palms, not quite knowing where to look or what to focus on. It is OK to be nervous but is it normal to be this nervous? Castanet heart and goosebumped skin as the moment gets nearer. Just get this one out of the way, don’t put too much pressure on it. Calm down. This is supposed to be fun.Your mind wanders to Zak Crawley lacing Pat Cummins across the Edgbaston turf like a pebble skimmed across a glacier. You really can’t help who pops in at these moments. But who is this now? Oh it’s Rory Burns toppling over, Brisbane rug pulled from underneath him, leg stump knocked back and bails sent upwards like a pair of forlorn eyebrows. What to do now, just lie back and think of English turmoil? Continue reading...

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