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Cricket
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England captain Ben Stokes says his latest injury will not impact his participation in this winter's Ashes after he was ruled out of the fifth and final Test against India, which starts on Thursday.
Stokes misses out at The Oval with a shoulder problem, sustained during the draw at Old Trafford, with a tight turnaround of just four days between Tests.
But the all-rounder says he is only expecting to be sidelined for around six or seven weeks.
"It is one of those of weighing up the risk-reward, and the risk was way too high for damaging this any further than it currently is," said Stokes.
"I wouldn't expect to put any of my players at risk with an injury like this. Once this series is done I was feet up anyway - it doesn't really make too much difference to what I've got from the end of the series up until the winter."
Ollie Pope will lead the side in Stokes' absence while Jacob Bethell will bat at number six.
There are also three changes to the bowling line-up with quicks Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse, who has played all four Tests so far, also missing out alongside spinner Liam Dawson.
Seamers Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue and Jamie Overton are included while Chris Woakes retains his place, meaning he will have played every Test of the series.
India to win and draw the series?
Stokes misses out at The Oval with a shoulder problem, sustained during the draw at Old Trafford, with a tight turnaround of just four days between Tests.
But the all-rounder says he is only expecting to be sidelined for around six or seven weeks.
"It is one of those of weighing up the risk-reward, and the risk was way too high for damaging this any further than it currently is," said Stokes.
"I wouldn't expect to put any of my players at risk with an injury like this. Once this series is done I was feet up anyway - it doesn't really make too much difference to what I've got from the end of the series up until the winter."
Ollie Pope will lead the side in Stokes' absence while Jacob Bethell will bat at number six.
There are also three changes to the bowling line-up with quicks Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse, who has played all four Tests so far, also missing out alongside spinner Liam Dawson.
Seamers Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue and Jamie Overton are included while Chris Woakes retains his place, meaning he will have played every Test of the series.
India to win and draw the series?
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9 down, what drama, ****s tweaking big time for Eng backers sub 1.05
if it's clipping it's clipping; however I wouldn't have given either out !
Phil Tufnell
Former England spinner on Test Match Special
What is going on? It didn't look right. The umpires are feeling the tension.
Former England spinner on Test Match Special
What is going on? It didn't look right. The umpires are feeling the tension.
TCat • August 4, 2025 11:27 AM BST
if it's clipping it's clipping
projected clipping
if it's clipping it's clipping
projected clipping
Aug 4, 2025 -- 5:27AM, TCat wrote:
if it's clipping it's clipping; however I wouldn't have given either out !
2 shocking out decisions imo
MIght be an idea not to wear a glove on the arm under his jumper
Aug 4, 2025 -- 5:48AM, CaptainCristy wrote:
MIght be an idea not to wear a glove on the arm under his jumper
Yeh but if he faces and gets hit on that hand, he would be in agony
Quote the poem you heathens ...' an hour to play and the last man in '
great ball fair result for the series i reckon.
hopefully brook will learn the lesson of not giving his wicket away
hopefully brook will learn the lesson of not giving his wicket away
hope players like harry brook learn from this , play the situation, cost the game
That was slow agony. All very well praising India, but if either Root or Brook had batted through England would have won comfortably. They will surely know that.
spot on elis its not the first time unfortunatley....
It's been a marvellous series
What a pity it's hidden away on pay to view.
What a pity it's hidden away on pay to view.
excellent series but I don't think the Aussie bowlers will be losing any sleep in the next couple of months.
Aug 4, 2025 -- 6:00AM, TCat wrote:
excellent series but I don't think the Aussie bowlers will be losing any sleep in the next couple of months.
Eng will spank the Aussie pensioners
Gutted.
Incredible finish to a superb series.
So up-and-down that it feels fitting to see 1.01 gubbed in the final Test.
Some brilliant moments, and the mistakes from both sides only enhanced the dramas.
Well done, WD - scan this fifth Test thread and it played to your tune the entire way. (Barmy to say that after England made great work of the chase yesterday!)
Incredible finish to a superb series.
So up-and-down that it feels fitting to see 1.01 gubbed in the final Test.
Some brilliant moments, and the mistakes from both sides only enhanced the dramas.
Well done, WD - scan this fifth Test thread and it played to your tune the entire way. (Barmy to say that after England made great work of the chase yesterday!)
57 needed with 7 wickets left.
England the brave!
England the brave!
Well done India, deserved a draw in the series.
Bethell and Smith scored only 21 runs in the Test between them.
Probably why they lost.
Bethell and Smith scored only 21 runs in the Test between them.
Probably why they lost.
awful batting yesterday why eng lost
plus bowler conditions today & a poor lbw
plus bowler conditions today & a poor lbw
Having a wild slash at anything outside off stump can’t surely have been the plan this morning when they need so few runs?
Smith like a rabbit in the headlights this morning.wafting at wide dross until he finally managed to find the edge.Very poor.Shame about Bethell,lack of practice and a rush of blood.Patience was all it needed.
it's funny(not humorous) how one dismissal can turn out to be the defining moment in the outcome of a match
when in essence it really shouldn't have been given the relative paucity of runs needed and wickets in hand
almost as if that 'moment' gave rise to a virulent contagion that contaminated all batsmen that followed
'funny old game,Saint'
Is Harry hero or villain?
when in essence it really shouldn't have been given the relative paucity of runs needed and wickets in hand
almost as if that 'moment' gave rise to a virulent contagion that contaminated all batsmen that followed
'funny old game,Saint'
Is Harry hero or villain?
I still reckon game turned on Ducketts stupid play 10 mins before lunch.
Very poor game management by England in the 2nd innings. No excuses - should have won that game comfortably. Poor this morning. 27 runs required should have been accomplished
Fair play to India for not giving up when England only needed 70 odd with 7 wickets left. Siraj was immense, especially given that stepping over the boundary incident.
If Harry Brook has two brain cells then i don't think they've been introduced to each other, while he and Root were in England were coasting.
Smith also looked like a rabbit in the headlights today, but it will all be good experience for him.
I still don't get all the Bethell hype WD, we all have different things we look for i suppose but there are plenty of other youngsters out there with similar credentials. If he has the talent then he should (unless injured of course) have been playing for his county this summer. Our test players always used to play for their counties in years gone by.
Jerry - we do start play here in England earlier - in September games are scheduled to have a 10.30 start obviously due to the light going earlier later in the day.
You can't just decide to start play early because of the weather forecast which has often been less than accurate during this series. Rain was not due today until after lunch according to yesterdays forecast.
If Harry Brook has two brain cells then i don't think they've been introduced to each other, while he and Root were in England were coasting.
Smith also looked like a rabbit in the headlights today, but it will all be good experience for him.
I still don't get all the Bethell hype WD, we all have different things we look for i suppose but there are plenty of other youngsters out there with similar credentials. If he has the talent then he should (unless injured of course) have been playing for his county this summer. Our test players always used to play for their counties in years gone by.
Jerry - we do start play here in England earlier - in September games are scheduled to have a 10.30 start obviously due to the light going earlier later in the day.
You can't just decide to start play early because of the weather forecast which has often been less than accurate during this series. Rain was not due today until after lunch according to yesterdays forecast.
Aug 4, 2025 -- 6:24AM, nineteen points wrote:
Smith like a rabbit in the headlights this morning.wafting at wide dross until he finally managed to find the edge.Very poor.Shame about Bethell,lack of practice and a rush of blood.Patience was all it needed.
smith get a pass for me done v little wrong test career so far bowler friendly conditions this morning
though Root is a very fine player he should on occassions have a word with some of the batters hes out with, hes got load of experience and surely should have told brook yesterday, HI WERE CRUISING HERE DONT GIVE YOUR WKT AWAY, WEVE ONLY BETHEL, SMITH LEFT THEN ITS THE TAIL AND NO WOAKES
spot on again elis - great series loved it but cant help feel disappointed that we didnt win that last test
Thoughts now turn to the Ashes, England are a best priced 11/4 with the bookies and i can't see many takers at those odds given how strong the Aussie bowlers are.
I wonder which player(s) that most have never heard of will get a call up to the squad ? McCullum and co seem to love a leftfield pick.
Hameed as an opener probably deserves another chance as he has scored over 1000 runs in Div One at an average of 79 this year although Sibley has been scoring well too.
A decent spinner is hard to find, Leach has the most wickets of them in Div One but there is no standout.
I wonder which player(s) that most have never heard of will get a call up to the squad ? McCullum and co seem to love a leftfield pick.
Hameed as an opener probably deserves another chance as he has scored over 1000 runs in Div One at an average of 79 this year although Sibley has been scoring well too.
A decent spinner is hard to find, Leach has the most wickets of them in Div One but there is no standout.
Sporting theatre at it's finest and a fitting 2-2 series outcome in my view , it was almost destined to end that way given how the series panned out.
Wouldn't be over critical about how some players get out tbh , it's the way they play the game and god knows what their averages would be if you eliminated the runs they scored from similar shots that get runs when we all applaud , i get certain situations can be viewed differently but imagine asking Pant to stonewall for a session , the modern day players will always struggle with those tasks given the mindset these days and the different formats they face , carry on playing their natural game and entertaining us in my view.
Great thread guys and cricket forum showing how easy it is to exchange views for 25 days with both respect and free from insults
Jerry , loved the way you thought about hedging the tie rather than lose all that hard earned green , respect.
Until the next time
Wouldn't be over critical about how some players get out tbh , it's the way they play the game and god knows what their averages would be if you eliminated the runs they scored from similar shots that get runs when we all applaud , i get certain situations can be viewed differently but imagine asking Pant to stonewall for a session , the modern day players will always struggle with those tasks given the mindset these days and the different formats they face , carry on playing their natural game and entertaining us in my view.
Great thread guys and cricket forum showing how easy it is to exchange views for 25 days with both respect and free from insults
Jerry , loved the way you thought about hedging the tie rather than lose all that hard earned green , respect.
Until the next time
J the Bull...Brook was brilliant no question for his ton.....villainous however IMO though and contagion spread....naivety (he is young i admit) at it's worst though throwing his wicket away. and fair point Root should be having a word as any momentum shift can be fatal and it was...game management
Maybe Root did have a word with Brook, who knows ? I doubt he would take any advice on board anyway the way he plays !
Brook is 26 years old, 92 FC games including 30 Tests - he should be experienced enough to understand the match situation.
Brook is 26 years old, 92 FC games including 30 Tests - he should be experienced enough to understand the match situation.
As no Arlott ....
There's a breathless hush in the Close to-night-
Ten to make and the match to win -
A bumping pitch and a blinding light ,
An hour to play and the last man in .
And its not for the sake of a ribbonned coat ,
Or the selfish hope of a season's fame ,
But his Captain's hand on his shoulder smote -
'Play up ! play up ! and play the game ! '
Sir Henry Newbolt - Vitai Lambada .
There's a breathless hush in the Close to-night-
Ten to make and the match to win -
A bumping pitch and a blinding light ,
An hour to play and the last man in .
And its not for the sake of a ribbonned coat ,
Or the selfish hope of a season's fame ,
But his Captain's hand on his shoulder smote -
'Play up ! play up ! and play the game ! '
Sir Henry Newbolt - Vitai Lambada .
that's twice in a row now that england have snatched defeat from the jaws of victory and blown the short odds. yet the plaudits keep coming. genuinely baffling
Well played Pomms. Another stunning performance from the 4th ranked side in the world playing India's B Team.
It’s back!
The after timer in chief.
Obviously has dementia as he cannot remember India C beating Australia to take the series at the Gabbatoir in 2021
The after timer in chief.
Obviously has dementia as he cannot remember India C beating Australia to take the series at the Gabbatoir in 2021
I don’t have a view on Brook’s dismissal but did think that Root, with all his brilliance and experience, gave his wicket away rather cheaply. The regret was etched on his face as he departed the crease.
India never gave up but Root could have hit another few crucial runs, surely?!
India never gave up but Root could have hit another few crucial runs, surely?!
If you need a deciding factor maybe consider the fact England gave away 22 wides and 6 no balls in the match , so combined that's nearly 5 times the margin of victory
It looked like a poor dismissal to me too and he knew it.
Pressure does things to even the most experienced of people. I thought England should have won today. They lacked composure the irony is Gill and India had it in spades.
Special thanks to Ben Stokes for making all this possible. He has been magnificent. His team should have had no chance but to use the immortal words of Paul Merson he gave them unbelievable belief.
This should not be forgotten. Not only is he a Lion Heart he raised this team of 30-3 and 40-4 into real Champions and fighters.
Pressure does things to even the most experienced of people. I thought England should have won today. They lacked composure the irony is Gill and India had it in spades.
Special thanks to Ben Stokes for making all this possible. He has been magnificent. His team should have had no chance but to use the immortal words of Paul Merson he gave them unbelievable belief.
This should not be forgotten. Not only is he a Lion Heart he raised this team of 30-3 and 40-4 into real Champions and fighters.
Merson actually said, " The belief the boss had in us was unbelievable. "
I like that one as well.
I like that one as well.
didnt really see much fight in them when try to avoid defeat in 2 test , the fights were in jadeja and co in 3 test, jadeja again with washington in 4 test when 0-2 , no i dont see much fight in the english team, theyr good at chasing runs when not exoected to get ,( nothing to lose ). the fight by eng this test for last 6 wickets was abysmall
Slippy
I am looking for the sky sports YouTube on that. It was so funny at the time. I am convinced in my head anyway he said unbelievable belief in that order to s****s and guffawing.
What makes it more interesting for me is the Non sense of the phrase ( the English ) being juxtaposed against the spirit of the statement.
I am looking for the sky sports YouTube on that. It was so funny at the time. I am convinced in my head anyway he said unbelievable belief in that order to s****s and guffawing.
What makes it more interesting for me is the Non sense of the phrase ( the English ) being juxtaposed against the spirit of the statement.
Champions and fighters or delusional Pomms and bottle merchants. It's most certainly the latter.
We’ll see starting on November 21st
We shall see who is delusional and who has a batting line up too
We shall see who is delusional and who has a batting line up too
australia's top 3 is a complete mess but the aged bowling attack is still fearsome whereas england have pretty good top 7 but who knows what attack will be available. tracks seem more bowler friendly down under these days. which of australia's iffy batting or england's less than stellar bowling attack can stand up ?
It is a tight schedule. Australia’s attack is good. It is also aging. We shall see what happens when it comes under attack. The Kookooburra now has a more pronounced seam and more lacquer.
The India series has proved a good test for England who may now be more aware of their limitations and the need to rotate their bowlers to be more effective. Englands bowlers may not be as good but they have two with extreme pace that can unsettle anyone. They also have 4 other fast bowlers.
I think England will prove the better team unfortunately the second Test is a day night game. Let’s hope it is a great contest.
The India series has proved a good test for England who may now be more aware of their limitations and the need to rotate their bowlers to be more effective. Englands bowlers may not be as good but they have two with extreme pace that can unsettle anyone. They also have 4 other fast bowlers.
I think England will prove the better team unfortunately the second Test is a day night game. Let’s hope it is a great contest.
on the face of it 2-2 against a somewhat inexperienced india side is not a good result but there are mitigating factors. played on 4 of the flattest tracks imaginable which england certainly can't have wanted resulting in the bowlers being flogged to death and a 2nd string attack taking the field on the most bowler friendly track of the series
all the dropped catches at the oval is a sign of mental tiredness and smith looked frazzled by the end too having kept for more than 1000 overs in the series. first choice atkinson and wood only playing 1 match between them as well
all the dropped catches at the oval is a sign of mental tiredness and smith looked frazzled by the end too having kept for more than 1000 overs in the series. first choice atkinson and wood only playing 1 match between them as well
Poms won 5 tosses and lost the most sessions of play throughout the series. 2-2 rather flattered them methinks. Poms batting averages in last ashes series was abysmal. Will have to do much better if they are to compete. The full quota of bowlers will be reduced somewhat with injuries as always with Archer probably twisting an eyelash before he goes and having 6 months off. 5/2 to win the series. How many Poms are backing them on here.
I think 2-2 flattered England personally
India COULD have been 3-0 up after 3.
The tail batting collapses in first Test and weak leadership by Gill cost them the first Test.
I think the third Test ( I get confused ) the Pant run out before lunch was the hinge. Not sure which Test Gill got caught on boundary on 144 off Bashir going for his 150 was also a hinge.
What got me was after the even with the value of hindsight Stokes said he would have still put India in!
At the end of the day if my Aunty had …… it is what it is
India were superb. They got their selection wrong and they threw away 2 Test matches they should have won.
I would hope both countries would have learned.
Bumrah and Archer did not need to play on a flat wicket at Old Trafford
I think England will be better stocked with fast bowling resources for the Ashes.
Punter thinks Archer and Wood should play together at Perth and the Gabbatoir as they are the fastest pitches. I might not argue with Punter in that but my own plan would be to rotate Archer and Wood. Atkinson should be more of a constant and Carse and Tongue could both rotate. Overton May be more effective in Aus.
England will have to think about which bowlers on which wickets after this summer.
I thought our batters showed some resilience but bottled it or rather did not THINK it through in the last Test and must do better.
Australia have huge problems in their batting and the tight schedule will put their attack under pressure. It is up to England to bat time and grind them down.
Should be a good series.
India COULD have been 3-0 up after 3.
The tail batting collapses in first Test and weak leadership by Gill cost them the first Test.
I think the third Test ( I get confused ) the Pant run out before lunch was the hinge. Not sure which Test Gill got caught on boundary on 144 off Bashir going for his 150 was also a hinge.
What got me was after the even with the value of hindsight Stokes said he would have still put India in!
At the end of the day if my Aunty had …… it is what it is
India were superb. They got their selection wrong and they threw away 2 Test matches they should have won.
I would hope both countries would have learned.
Bumrah and Archer did not need to play on a flat wicket at Old Trafford
I think England will be better stocked with fast bowling resources for the Ashes.
Punter thinks Archer and Wood should play together at Perth and the Gabbatoir as they are the fastest pitches. I might not argue with Punter in that but my own plan would be to rotate Archer and Wood. Atkinson should be more of a constant and Carse and Tongue could both rotate. Overton May be more effective in Aus.
England will have to think about which bowlers on which wickets after this summer.
I thought our batters showed some resilience but bottled it or rather did not THINK it through in the last Test and must do better.
Australia have huge problems in their batting and the tight schedule will put their attack under pressure. It is up to England to bat time and grind them down.
Should be a good series.
It was a T20 game Dragon.....and they won by 17 runs !
apols dixie .. need to pay more attention, thought it was first day of test
I don't think Steve Smith would have been wearing his red pyjamas yesterday if there was a test going on Dragon !
saffers 120 for 3 chasing 178 and loose. typical saffers
Well done lads. Another T20 series win against the Saffers this time.
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Wonder
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