Foakes came back late last season and is playing for the Lions. Not sure if they have gone home though.

Yep

Feels like we’re at the point the England Rugby team we’re a year or so ago. Time to get rid of the old guard and under performers like Buttler and Bairstow and Burns and even Broad, and just start again with some young hungry players. Not easy I know but this is just utter gash

They played Australia A last week and lost by 112 runs.

England were bowled out for 103 & 347.

Foakes got 73 and Bracey 112 in the 2nd innings

The bowling was pretty average Bess got spanked around the park.

I wake up to severe case of déjà vu - again?? Nothing short of pathetic. Both already openers gone for a total of 10 (yes TEN); come on guys, surely one of you can make double figures? a minor rally from two who can actually bat, 150-2, looking decent, then - shock, horror - 4 more down for 19!!

Stokes is probably still trying to get back into the groove, but the others? Jos Buttler belongs nowhere near the test team; can't bat, can't catch. But there is no-one to replace them. Well done, ECB you and your brainless persuits have killed English test cricket. Bish Bash BOSH!!.

72 runs to avoid the follow-on as I type. Or, if we do, a session and a bit for the Aussies to amass more that we are likely to score. I don't even want rain to rescue us. We simply don't deserve it. RIP English Test Cricket :(

Oh, last but not least, well played Aussies. Showing us how it should be done - again.

Just finished my rant/lament and another one goes :D

8 down

That will teach me not to nip off to the Away Fans End!! :D

I think so. Need to start planning for the future with a better constructed county championship. New captain, new coaching team, pick youngsters and stick with them. Batters with sound techniques, a keeper who can catch, and bowlers with something different about them (Parkinson and Mahmood). But we also seem to have a mental issue when playing the Aussies. They are an OK team, but nothing special. I think most of us on here would agree that, but we always seem to make them look like world beaters.

Final collapse due before we reach double-nelson.

Agree with all that. A lesser factor is that the Aussies are always fired up. Oh for a tiny part of that in our ranks. One or two players cannot carry the team. Dead wood has to go this winter.

I have got used to England wickets falling like bikes in a cycle rack - one goes they all go

The good news is it stops at 10

The bad news is it then starts all over again

The real aim of the series now has to be avoiding a whitewash. It's difficult to think of any word other than pathetic to describe us right now.

Ben doing his Rambo act :lux:

Hmmm…

Good jinxing mate :D

Up to Broady then :D (No breath being held....)

Yep, for sure. Sadly I thought a whitewash was on the cards before we agreed to tour (big mistake, should have used the covid excuse). But more because of the inferiority complex we have when playing the Aussies in Tests. They are also so much more professional than us, no need for them to even sledge or cheat this time either :D.

Indeed, it is pathetic.

Come on, Jimmy!!!!!

He has already faced twice as many balls as Burns - maybe he should open?

Me and thee could face more balls than that useless chuffer

I delayed looking at the score this morning through dread. Might not bother in future.

Cricket Australia considering 2025/26 Ashes consisting only of 3 Tests. They feel they can get someone like Bangladesh in for a proper contest after.
Seriously though, an uncompetitive Ashes is just another nail in Test Cricket's coffin. Globally it's only got about 10 years to go. Who's going to pay the subscription money for so many forgone conclusions?