Ashes

after drinks snubbingCricket

Poms meet Aussies ‘in nightclub’

England captain Ben Stokes claimed a lengthy presentation was to blame for failing to have a post-series beer with Australia.

Peter Lalor

CommentaryThe Times Sport

Australia's Usman Khawaja plays a shot on day four of the fifth Ashes cricket Test match between England and Australia at The Oval cricket ground in London on July 30, 2023. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO ASSOCIATION WITH DIRECT COMPETITOR OF SPONSOR, PARTNER, OR SUPPLIER OF THE ECB

Openers prepare unexpected twist to Broad’s final chapter

The day began with the sun shining and Stuart Broad being feted by friend and foe. It ended amid gloom with England flat, Broad wicketless and Australia striding towards an unlikely victory.

Mike Atherton

Ashes battleThe Times

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JULY 16: Pat Cummins of Australia looks on during Australia's Nets and training session at Emirates Old Trafford on July 16, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ashley Allen/Getty Images)

The Australian captain even the Poms like

The intelligent, empathetic leader is far removed from the stereotype of his nation’s cricketers. And not even the Lord’s drama has soured him to England fans.

Steve James

CommentaryCricket

LEEDS, ENGLAND - JULY 09: Chris Woakes of England celebrates with teammate Mark Wood after hitting the winning runs to win the LV= Insurance Ashes 3rd Test Match between England and Australia at Headingley on July 09, 2023 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Nothing inevitable in such a supremely evitable series

Now it gets interesting. The Ashes of 2023 has already been of exceptionally high quality – and also strewn with mistakes.

Gideon Haigh

CommentaryCommentary

|Moments in Time| liftout. Aust cricketer Bill Woodfull (r) on pitch at Adelaide with England caption Douglas Jardine during Australia vs England (Bodyline series) test match 16 Jan 1933. cricket historical 1930s

England’s moral superiority fails the Test of history

Jonny Bairstow’s stumping should be seen in context, going all the way back to the Bodyline tour, when a mean-spirited English aristocrat executed the most unsportsmanlike strategy ever deployed.

Luke Slattery

commentaryCricket

Johannes Leak commentary page cartoon for 04-07-2023 Version: Commentary Cartoon (1024x768 - Aspect ratio preserved, Canvas added) COPYRIGHT: The Australian's artists each have different copyright agreements in place regarding re-use of their work in other publications. Please seek advice from the artists themselves or the Managing Editor of The Australian regarding re-use.

Take test from Lord’s if MCC again disgraces cricket

The behaviour of members of the Marylebone Cricket Club, with its public school puerility and reek of entitlement, suggest that the buck needs to stop with Marylebone rather than start with it.

Gideon Haigh

AshesCricket

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 20:Tahlia McGrath of Australia bats during the First T20 International Match in the Ashes Series between Australia and England at Adelaide Oval on January 20, 2022 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

McGrath steps up as Australia take first points

A magical turn with bat and ball from Tahlia McGrath has seen Australia take first points in the Women’s Ashes, with a nine-wicket win in the opening T20 match.

Liz Walsh

CricketCricket

Hobart Test ‘will proceed’ despite restrictions

Tasmania insists the fifth Ashes Test will be held in Hobart, with the government appearing open to a pragmatic application of Covid requirements.

Matthew Denholm

CommentaryThe Times Sport

England captain Joe Root (L) and England coach Chris Silverwood (R) talk during training in Brisbane on December 7, 2021, ahead of the opening Ashes Test cricket match between Australia and England. (Photo by Patrick HAMILTON / AFP) / --IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - NO COMMERCIAL USE--

All roads lead to coach in Ashes blame game

The misreading of pitch conditions and odd selections have presaged two awful performances in the opening Tests.

Mike Atherton

ashes 2019Cricket

Australia's captain Tim Paine reacts after a teamamte failed to make a catch during play on the first day of the fifth Ashes cricket Test match between England and Australia at The Oval in London on September 12, 2019. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO ASSOCIATION WITH DIRECT COMPETITOR OF SPONSOR, PARTNER, OR SUPPLIER OF THE ECB

Paine’s injury battle revealed

The skipper and a key bowler finished the series with injuries that should have sidelined them.

Tim Paine

Cricket

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 15: Steve Smith of Australia celebrates with the Urn after Australian drew the series to retain the Ashes during day four of the 5th Specsavers Ashes Test between England and Australia at The Kia Oval on September 15, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Urn a hollow vessel

Justin Langer says there is a hollow feeling after England drew the Ashes and recognises there are holes in the batting order.

Peter Lalor

Ashes 2019Cricket

England's captain Joe Root (L) and Australia's captain Tim Paine hold the Ashes trophy during the presentation ceremony on the fourth day of the fifth Ashes cricket Test match between England and Australia at The Oval in London on September 15, 2019. - England won the fifth test by 135 runs and drew the series but Australia keeps The Ashes trophy. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO ASSOCIATION WITH DIRECT COMPETITOR OF SPONSOR, PARTNER, OR SUPPLIER OF THE ECB

Cricket’s caravan moves on

The Ashes series that was in advance too close to call has proven just that.

gideon haigh

CommentaryThe Times Sport

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 15: Captain of Australia Tim Paine poses with the Ashes Urn during Day Four of the 5th Specsavers Ashes Test between England and Australia at The Kia Oval on September 15, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

The better of two flawed teams

In just the sixth draw series in history, Joe Root and England will be left thinking what could’ve been.

Mike Atherton

ashes fifth testCricket

Australia's captain Tim Paine holds the Ashes Urn as the players celebrate victory after the presentation ceremony on the fourth day of the fifth Ashes cricket Test match between England and Australia at The Oval in London on September 15, 2019. - England won the fifth test by 135 runs and drew the series but Australia keeps The Ashes trophy. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO ASSOCIATION WITH DIRECT COMPETITOR OF SPONSOR, PARTNER, OR SUPPLIER OF THE ECB

Paine’s frank admission

With the Ashes retained, there were mixed feelings after England squared the series.

Peter Lalor and Tom Crystal

CommentaryCricket

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 14: Joe Denly of England leaves the field after being dismissed for 94 runs by Peter Siddle of Australia during day three of the 5th Specsavers Ashes Test between England and Australia at The Kia Oval on September 14, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Series dispels popular theory

It’s been a bad summer for lots of things, mostly the vogue of using the term ‘momentum’.

Gideon Haigh

ashes Fifth testCricket

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 14: Chris Woakes of England edges behind to Steve Smith of Australia during Day Three of the 5th Specsavers Ashes Test between England and Australia at The Kia Oval on September 14, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

England on top despite late charge

Smith catch lifted Australia but Paine’s DRS nightmare has England on coursefor victory | WATCH

Tom Crystal and Agencies

Fifth Ashes TestThe Times Sport

Australia's Steve Smith plays a shot on the second day of the fifth Ashes cricket Test match between England and Australia at The Oval in London on September 13, 2019. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO ASSOCIATION WITH DIRECT COMPETITOR OF SPONSOR, PARTNER, OR SUPPLIER OF THE ECB

Unlikely ending for Smith

Chris Woakes, innocuous hitherto, brought Steve Smith’s vigil to an end in an unlikely manner.

Mike Atherton

Ashes Fifth TestAshes

Australia's David Warner leaves the pitch after he is caught by England's Jonny Bairstow off the bowling of England's Jofra Archer during the second day of the fifth Ashes test match between England and Australia at the Oval cricket ground in London, Friday, Sept. 13, 2019. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Reality of Warner’s dismissals

This English summer has featured two remarkable batting streaks. One is Steve Smith’s; the other, David Warner’s.

Gideon Haigh

Ashes Fifth testCricket

England's Chris Woakes (R) celebrates taking the wicket of Australia's Steve Smith (L) for 80 during play on the second day of the fifth Ashes cricket Test match between England and Australia at The Oval in London on September 13, 2019. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO ASSOCIATION WITH DIRECT COMPETITOR OF SPONSOR, PARTNER, OR SUPPLIER OF THE ECB

Aussie one-man act finally exposed

A fragile batting line-up’s reliance on Steve Smith has been laid bare by a poor display in the series finale | WATCH

Peter Lalor and Tom Crystal

Cricket

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 13: David Warner of Australia walks off after being caught behind after a review by England off the bowling of Jofra Archer of England during day two of the 5th Specsavers Ashes Test match between England and Australia at The Kia Oval on September 13, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Warner’s opening plight continues

Can Australia keep their feet and win the Ashes series or do England have one haymaker left to square the ledger.

Peter Lalor

Cricket

Australia's Mitchell Marsh celebrates taking the wicket of England's Jonny Bairstow for 22 runs during play on the first day of the fifth Ashes cricket Test match between England and Australia at The Oval in London on September 12, 2019. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO ASSOCIATION WITH DIRECT COMPETITOR OF SPONSOR, PARTNER, OR SUPPLIER OF THE ECB

Marsh’s battle to win over haters

Mitch Marsh’s fight back to the Test team has been marked by humility and hard work.

Peter Lalor

Cricket

Rare footage of 1938 Ashes

As Tim Paine’s squad celebrates retaining the Ashes, rare behind-the-scenes footage has emerged of another famous Ashes team

Robert Craddock

CommentaryThe Times Sport

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 12: Marnus Labuschagne of Australia reacts to a chance during Day One of the 5th Specsavers Ashes Test between England and Australia at The Kia Oval on September 12, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

Australia’s gift to England

Australia were generous in selection, at the toss and with their catching and no balls, they offered Joe Root a lifeboat.

Mike Atherton

CommentarySport

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 08: Josh Hazlewood of Australia celebrates after he claimed the final wicket of Stuart Broad of England to claim victory to retain the Ashes during day five of the 4th Specsavers Test between England and Australia at Old Trafford on September 08, 2019 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Smashing it on world stage

In a hectic year of international sport, Australians have enjoyed incredible success.

Will Swanton

ASHES FIFTH TESTCricket

Marsh revives Aussies

Brilliant spell from polarising all-rounder gets Australia back in Fifth Test | WATCH

Peter Lalor and Tom Crystal

COMMENTARYCricket

Australia's Mitchell Marsh takes part in a nets session at Old Trafford, Manchester, England, Monday Sept. 2, 2019. The 4th Ashes Test cricket match between England and Australia will begin on Wednesday Sept. 4. (Simon Cooper/PA via AP)

Marsh selection ‘a mistake’

In picking a man who averages just 7.4 from his past 10 Test innings, selectors have outdone themselves.

Andrew Faulkner

Ashes 2019The Times Sport

England's captain Joe Root gestures during a training session at The Oval in London on September 11, 2019, on the eve of the start of the fifth and final Ashes cricket Test match between England and Australia. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO ASSOCIATION WITH DIRECT COMPETITOR OF SPONSOR, PARTNER, OR SUPPLIER OF THE ECB

A last hurrah for fragile England

Only five players are nailed-down selections for England’s Test team while questions remain about Joe Root’s leadership.

Mike Atherton

Ashes Fifth TestCricket

Why Marsh was recalled

Travis Head is the man who makes way, but it wasn’t his form that led to his axing.

Peter Lalor

Ashes Team listCricket

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 11: Mitch Marsh and Travis Head of Australia look on during the Australia Net Session at The Kia Oval on September 11, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Marsh recalled, Head axed

Travis Head ‘still important part of team’s future’ despite making way for Mitch Marsh.

Peter Lalor

TIM PAINE COLUMNCricket

FILE - 2019 Ashes Series Best of - MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 08: The Australian Cricket Team celebrate in the change rooms after Australia claimed victory to retain the Ashes during day five of the 4th Specsavers Test between England and Australia at Old Trafford on September 08, 2019 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Ashes victory party: ‘Pics are a little deceptive’

The Australian captain reveals what really happened at those Ashes victory celebrations.

Tim Paine

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/topics/ashes