Ashes 25-26 preview / forecast thread

[lardbucket]

Yes it’s a long way out … 18 months.

I’m thinking ‘so far’ ahead because it really does seem unlikely that many of Australia’s current crop will still be in the frame, with a gruelling Indian tour likely to test and ‘finish off’ some of those in the current squad. By the time the Poms come to defend their moral victory - and this time perhaps win the series on the scoreboard as well - I think both teams will look very different.

AUS (12)

Renshaw
Bancroft
Labuschagne
Green
Head
Marsh
Inglis
Cummins
Johnson
Morris
Lyon
Tanveer

with Starc, Haze, Khawaja, Smith, Carey and the recently departed Warner the most likely losses from 2023’s series. Six is a fair turnover.

ENGLAND:
Crawley
Pope
Root (last hurrah?)
Brook
Stokes
best emerging young batsman / opener
Foakes
Carse
Robinson
Leach
Tongue
Wood


… with Stokes not bowling and Bairstow Ali Broad Buttler and Anderson all finished,

Thoughts? Contrary opinions?

[Fred Nerk]

DATELINE NOVEMBER 2025

'In a major surprise, former Australian pace bowler and latter-day professional criticiser Mitchell Johnson has made a comeback to top-line cricket and will open the bowling for Australia in the first Ashes Test team in Brisbane.

'At a press conference, Johnson, 43, who has not played a first class match for 8 years, admitted that the constant calls from his listeners. angered by his constant carping at the Australian team despite their record of not losing a Test series to anybody except India since before COVID,  to 'do better you noisy has-been flog' were some motivation, but mostly he saw the SOS call from CA as affirmation of his constant theme that the softness and cluelessness of the Test team leadership since former coach Justin Langer was removed in 2019 had led to 'a generation of snowflakes who couldn't bowl their way out of a wet paper bag'.

'When asked about playing under notorious leftard Pat Cummins and 'new age' coach Andrew McDonald, Johnson, for the first time since mid-2022, made no comment but observers 'noted' that he rolled his eyes, in very similar fashion to Cummins when asked to endorse Langer'.

[skully]

Not bad, Nerkles.

[lardbucket]

… I wasn’t referring to that Johnson, of course. Spencer Johnson, if he can avoid injury, is in a good place to replace one of the current three as they lurch towards retirement

[embee]

Smith 
Renshaw 
Labuschagne
Green 
Head 
Hardie 
Carey 
Cummins
Neser/Boland
Morris
Lyon ...Murphy 

Not sure what the pass mark is for Smith as an opener but Im sure hell be OK ...he can certainly match the misses of Warner ....probably wont match the strike rate of his hits but will churn out some runs 

expect Koaja will retire ...expect Renshaw to fill his spot ...he'll be as adequate as Bancroft or Harris 

Marnus will continue being Marnus 

Hope Green is a success ...they need to ease off on his bowling or get him back to not bowling 140+ short crap 

Head will continue to be Head 

Marsh will either do a hammy or the opposition will wake up to his T20 approach ...Hardie gets my wozzie vote as a batting all rounder ...Webster M Short Maxwell O Davies are other names Id consider for number 6 

Carey will probably still be Test keeper ....Inglis or Peirson would be jsut as godd if not better 

Cummins will be leading the charge of the bowling 

I expect age and injury to catch up with Starc and Haze. One of Neser and Boland would replace Haze. One of Morris or S Johnson to replace Starc 

Steketee Meredith Ellis Doggett and Sutherland plus some random dubbers could pop up as fast bowling options 


If Lyon thinks he has unfinished Ashes business because of his calf injury he may still be playing ...if not Id expect Murphy to get the nod . Kuhneman Sangha and Rockacholi would all have similar effectiveness


If we go Bazball in the opener spot ( sacrilegious suggestion ....breathe Lardy) 

M Short , McDermott , Phillipe, Fraser Berserk or Inglis could be given a crack ( and none have FC numbers to warrant a spot)

[horace]

Smith

puck

Marnus

green

Head

Kellaway

Peirson

Cummins

O'Neill

Johnson

Murphy

[lardbucket]

Apart from Smith, who will hopefully be gone by then, that doesn’t look too bad, and I like Peirson … but I think Carey has been incumbent while Peirson should have been there, and Inglis is a better long term prospect. Almost as good a keeper (both much better than Carey) and a better bat than Jimmy. Kellaway is a massive punt but could be there, as could others. Haven’t seen O’Neill remotely as a prospect ahead of the others mentioned on this thread but perhaps he is the Rod Hogg of this generation?

[horace]

Apart from Smith, who will hopefully be gone by then, that doesn’t look too bad, and I like Peirson … but I think Carey has been incumbent while Peirson should have been there, and Inglis is a better long term prospect. Almost as good a keeper (both much better than Carey) and a better bat than Jimmy. Kellaway is a massive punt but could be there, as could others. Haven’t seen O’Neill remotely as a prospect ahead of the others mentioned on this thread but perhaps he is the Rod Hogg of this generation?

O’Neill is a madman like Hogg but withought the raw pace. He is a very accurate swing bowler. Has been bowling superbly and making a few runs in the Shield.


As opposed to a lot of our current fellas, Kellaway has a rock solid batting technique. Hardest worker in the Vic Squad. Rogers has to tell him to go home.

[Fred Nerk]

We know Campbell Responsibly Kellaway is the nephew of 1990s Tigers Duncan and Andrew - but does anybody remember if they were related to Charlie K from the just-pre-Bradman era?

[embee]

according to cricinfo 

Campbell Kallaway vs Charlie Kelleway

[lardbucket]

Haven’t caught up with Campbell Kallaway yet; but have been following the results of young Campbell Kellaway from Victoria.

More seriously … point taken. No relation.

[Fred Nerk]

I suppose none of them are related to the guy who wrote Mini the Moucher (who had a heart as big as a whale) either

[lardbucket]

Smith

puck

Marnus

green

Head

Kellaway

Peirson

Cummins

O'Neill

Johnson

Murphy

Sadly I think Puck is done. He has been sconed and concussed AGAIN today in a VIC v SA Second XI match; David Grant being the bowler.

Whether it’s technique, visual, or mental … twelve concussions is more than enough. Find another sport, puck. It’s terribly sad but the next fifty years will be better if you’re not hit again.

[skully]

After 12 concussions I fear his future may be somewhat affected.

[lardbucket]

He’ll make a fine Ch 7 commentator. A few more head knocks before he’s in Hayden’s class, but he seems determined to get there.

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