The 3 day warm-up game starts today against the England Lions.

https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/?tab=m_summary#mdfb90000-7a08-761c-f5f7-08dded5af61d

The fact that Jacob Bethell is playing for the Lions and Pope for England suggests that Jacob may have another quiet winter.

It's still absolute folly to me that he's anywhere near the Test side.

Wickets from day 1

https://youtu.be/qdkIZ0jbAWY?si=zj2LlV_CCx76uh8l

The less said the better about the first Test.

Whilst there's no such thing as a weak Australia team, the present group are a long way short of some Aussie XIs we've seen. Yet they have played England off the park. I don't think there is a lack of talent in England, it comes down to poor selections and bad tactics. That must be the fault of management and there must be some accountability.
It would be nice to see the entire ECB sacked but that ain't going to happen. McCullum must go - his approach has produced some entertaining and exciting games but the win-loss ratio is nowhere near what a major Test playing nation should want. So too, sadly, must Stokes. He's been a giant for English cricket and replacing him as captain and all-rounder poses a problem, but he is so personally identified with Bazball that it is impossible to see him fitting in with another regime.
2026 is a relatively light year for English Test cricket so it can be used as a recovery/development year. Get a new coach in quick then work with him to shape out what team you want in 2027. There's the talent there if you use it properly.

Underlying all this is the fact that longer form (red ball) cricket is the poor relation in England, played at the front end and back end of the season. It's not the best set up for producing Test match players.
Sadly, that's not going to change.

Rob Key is getting a bit of a roasting after what seems to have been a disastrous press conference. Most telling is the ridicule in this article from Barney Ronay:
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/dec/23/ashes-autopsy-english-cricket-meets-spinal-tap-rob-key-ecb
I particularly like:
" The England and Wales Cricket Board has mistakenly hired a broadcaster. It has confused cause and effect, presentation and delivery. The Honey Monster has been put in charge of global puffed rice production."

Steve Harmison mentioned on Talksport of his belief that, his mate, Rob Key had been brainwashed by McCullum into believing in the 'Vibes' based approach to Test Match special. Whilst I think that was a bit of a strong statement I can see a situation where Mr Key is somewhat overawed by the former World Class Batsman.

The England set up does need a shake, preparation and accountability need to be more important but as a lot of people have said for a long time, until red ball cricket is given more attention at the domestic level and more leadership at the top in being sensible with schedules (domestic AND international) then nothing will really change.

I see that Bethall has been anounced as number 3 for the Boxing Day test match, I hope I'm proven wrong but after a year of barely playing any cricket I find it a crazy decision of him to be walking out at the MCG .

Let's hear it for Jacob, the top scorer in England's second innings in an excellent win.