Test Match Special The Ashes: England show fight, but on brink of defeat
Dec 20, 2025
Zak Crawley, an England international top-order batsman, shares insights after his impressive 85-run innings. He reflects on the team's fighting spirit amid a challenging Ashes series. The discussion reveals England's evolving tactics and the pressure on players like Ollie Pope. Former fast bowler Jason Gillespie weighs in on the strategic decisions affecting England's performance, emphasizing the need for patience and adaptability in their approach. Meanwhile, Australia remains focused on securing victory, showcasing their bowling prowess.
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Basic Test Cricket Still Wins
- England showed disciplined, basic Test cricket on day four but the earlier collapse left the match beyond reach.
- The series failures reflect repeated catastrophic collapses and a lack of consistent, low-risk cricket.
Spin Patience Turned The Game
- Nathan Lyon's patient offspin changed the course of the day, picking up key wickets after being targeted early.
- Strategic, consistent spin bowling trapped England into mistakes rather than flashy tactics.
Play To Your Natural Tempo
- Play to your natural tempo and strengths rather than forcing a different style for the sake of innovation.
- Stick to Plan A and adapt to conditions instead of constantly discarding basic tactics.