Sky Sports Cricket Podcast The Ashes Daily: England end 15 year wait for win in Australia in two-day thriller
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Dec 27, 2025 England finally breaks a 15-year winless streak in Australia with a thrilling two-day Test victory. The hosts debate the unsatisfactory pitch quality and whether short, bowler-friendly matches truly serve the spirit of Test cricket. Athers reflects on the absence of legendary spin, while Stokes’ leadership and team unity emerge as game-changing factors. They also analyze Australia’s vulnerable batting lineup and tactical choices that may have hampered their performance. The banter lightens the mood, celebrating England fans amidst the excitement.
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Pitch Created A Fast, Limited Contest
- The MCG match ended in two days because the pitch massively favoured bowlers and produced rapid results.
- That created a fair contest but reduced the range of skills on show and made the spectacle unsatisfactory.
Aggressive Starts From Duckett And Crawley
- Duckett and Crawley attacked decisively chasing a low target and set the tone for England's victory.
- Their intent on this surface exemplified how risk-taking unlocked runs when conditions favoured bowlers.
Attack Early On Tricky Surfaces
- Play proactively on difficult, seaming surfaces by taking attacking options rather than defending.
- Select and encourage batters prepared to take risks early to counter challenging pitches.