Reminds me of our start of season games in April.
England’s bowling is all over the place, on a very modestly paced/slow track. Sit up and beg balls galore.
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Well DLS settled it. Shame, it was shaping up nicely. Australia able to get ahead of the rate and hope that 20 overs got bowled before the rain came to make it a match. A pretty accurate forecast helped.
Still, some positives from the series for England to build.
Also watching Starc, Smith and maybe Hazlewood I wonder if they are going to be such a force in the Ashes by winter 25/26. Maybe have to eat my words!
That wraps the English cricket season.
Bruce
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Close game , congrats to Australia. England time wasting was pathetic and embarrassing. England bowled poorly as did the Aussies for most of the innings.
However: Australia were 165 for 2 after 20.4 overs. After 21 overs England were 163 for 2. Australia with a nose ahead.
Duckworth-Lewis say Australia won by 49 runs. I’m a bit puzzled.
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How about the next Ashes tour to the UK, the Australians men and women give us three days of Hundred matches
Great TV , a full days cricket and plenty for the traditionalists to have a good rant at
I’ll get my coat
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Oh that must of hurt losing to a Aussie side captained by Smith. 
Good series ruined by rain.
Aussies will now focus on India touring this summer.
And Ian they’ll be none of that Hundred stuff here thank you. 
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I’m talking a full days cricket with two matches, men and ladies
A Saturday at Lords …
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Another season comes to an end, so does my subscription to Now TV until next season. I will now rely on TMS.
Looking back, I have a few reflections.
I was sad to see Foakes loose out to Smith, but pleased that the latter has adapted well.
It is good to see that Archer is being looked after better now; his smile is contagious.
The most sad and joyful event was seeing Syd Lawrence clutch the T20 Blast trophy.
A new generation of Flintoffs and Vaughans, amongst lesser known names, bodes well.
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Agree with all of those (especially re Foakes and Smith); I’d also add that post ‘Branderson’ there are a crop of decent pace bowlers coming through to be positive about.
I think Bashir is another who now looks established and is progressing.
I also cancel my Now subscription at this point! I’m not sure that the Pak v Eng Test series is going to be shown anywhere. No companies that keen apparently.
Bruce
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Not sure this is good.
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Surely you mean the Hampshire Capitals , new Captain M S Dhoni …
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Me neither, as once these clubs (‘assets’) get sold, the map forward becomes very uncertain. Money can make sport so problematic, as the ECB and Prem Rugby/RFU are finding out. It’s kinda ‘need money, see money, take money’ without stopping to think of the longer term impacts of this move.
I’ve been reading some of the media commentary around the proposed sale of 49% of The 100 and, to my eyes, the ECB are trying to sell something several years ahead of ‘proof of concept’ e.g. the top players aren’t involved (the MLC offering in the US seems to offer better rewards?), the Indian players aren’t available (and their primary market is at home), and the matches are played at very inconvenient times to garner a worldwide audience = not a queue to buy the TV rights. Plus, while The 100 was set up to differentiate it from T20, the brand qualities & format of the latter are burned in to potential viewers, such that anything other than a T20 format, might serve to confuse?!
The 100 is great family entertainment in the prime UK cricketing slot, but it’s like tuning in to Sky to watch an NFL game, yet being served up a college game instead. Good quality often, yes – prime quality no.
Very difficult to work out what is best for cricket at the moment.
Apart from England v Australia v India the other test playing countries struggle financially.
The big three struggle without the shorter forms to be financially viable.
Unfortunately the older I get the less confident I am in the future of test and county cricket.
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An article reflecting on a real achievement by WCCC. What it doesn’t mention is that they lost 7 first team players over last winter and I think 3 the winter before, to other clubs who can pay more. Slightly satisfying to see most, if not all of those clubs, finish below them. Worcestershire were red hot favourites to to go straight back down this summer. I think it was their highest finish since 97.
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Aussies off to a good start.
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Pete, you are watching T20 …, actually I prefer the women’s T20 as there is far less power hitting .
And watching the bowlers from behind is an altogether a much more enjoyable experience 
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It’s no late here I usually watch the highlights in the morning.
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Tut, tut
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I know I have said this before , but watching some hapless fielder trying to catch a white ball against floodlights , makes me think it is time we moved to a pink ball for one day, T20 and Hundred Matches
8 days ago Engkand were playing an ODI v Australia in Bristol. 11 degrees, wind and showers. Full house.
Today 1st Test V Pakistan in Multan. 36deg C. What little crowd has turned up are trying to find shade.
How on earth can a team prepare with such a changeover? Hey, it’s only Test Cricket. Who cares. Just squeeze it in somewhere.
Bruce