Sky Sports Cricket Podcast The Ashes Daily: England on the brink as Australia close in on series victory
Dec 20, 2025
Ath and Nass delve into the thrilling Day 4 of the Ashes, where England faces a daunting target of 435 runs. They discuss Stokes' pivotal role as bowler and England's newfound bowling discipline. The duo scrutinizes Crawley's composed batting style and Duckett's struggle with bouncy pitches. They also touch on Lyon's clever spin and Stokes' repetitive dismissals. As tension builds, they examine tactical shifts and preview the decisive final day, emphasizing the stakes for England's leadership.
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Stokes' Bowling Raises The Attack
- England's bowling looked far better when Ben Stokes could bowl and set the tone for the attack.
- Stokes' ability to contribute with the ball refreshes other bowlers and raises overall effectiveness.
Short Ball Camouflages Inaccuracy
- England relied too often on short-pitched bowling which masked accuracy issues.
- Accurate, controlled lines are the proven route to wickets at Australian grounds.
Be Match-Ready Before Touring Australia
- Prepare match-ready by playing competitive cricket before touring Australia rather than just training.
- Build game sharpness in conditions similar to the ones you'll face to avoid being behind early in the series.