Ashes | DD News

December 29, 2025 11:57 AM

Ashes: Travis Head backs Jake Weatherald as Australia opening partner

Australia batter Travis Head has endorsed Jake Weatherald as an opening partner following the South Australian's rough start as a test cricketer in the Ashes. Weatherald's batting average is a tick under 21 since his test debut in the Ashes opener in Perth, dragged down by scores of 10 and five in the four-wicket defeat to England on a tough pitch in the fourth test in Melbourne. "He showed a lot of glimpses over his first four tests, and it's not always going to go your way," Head said on Sun...

December 29, 2025 3:10 PM

Ashes: Australia’s Usman Khawaja confirmed for Sydney test

Australia head coach and selector Andrew McDonald has confirmed Usman Khawaja will play in the fifth Ashes test against England at the Sydney Cricket Ground amid media speculation it could be his last international. The oldest player in an ageing squad, the 39-year-old lefthander's spot in the line-up is under scrutiny following his demotion down the batting order and as selectors look to the future. With the promoted Travis Head taking his opening spot, Khawaja batted at number four in the th...

December 29, 2025 3:02 PM

Ashes: Matthew Potts in line for Sydney test after Gus Atkinson injury

England's ever-changing attack will have yet another iteration in the Ashes finale in Sydney with Matthew Potts expected to replace injured fast bowler Gus Atkinson for the fifth and final test. Atkinson was ruled out of the match, which starts on January 4, having strained his left hamstring soon after picking up his third wicket during England's victory at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday. Atkinson is the third England seamer to return home early following Mark Wood and Jofra Archer ...

December 29, 2025 11:53 AM

Curator ‘shocked’ by Melbourne pitch performance in Ashes

The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) curator who prepared the widely criticised pitch for the fourth Ashes test said he was in a "state of shock" as wickets tumbled in the two-day match. England completed a four-wicket victory after tea on Saturday, triggering a round of condemnation of the pitch for being too much in favour of the bowlers. "I was in a state of shock," curator Matt Page told reporters at the MCG on Sunday. "I've never been involved in a test match like it and hopefully never in...

December 26, 2025 4:42 PM

Ashes: Michael Neser savours dream Boxing Day debut on nightmare pitch for batters

After a four-wicket haul in front of a record Melbourne Cricket Ground and Australia's top score on a tough pitch, little wonder Michael Neser found day one of his maiden Boxing Day test a dream come true. The recalled seamer was dropped for the series-deciding third Ashes test in Adelaide but was back in action on Friday in front of a whopping crowd of 94,199 that saw 20 wickets tumble on a manic day one. Neser scored a vital 35 as Australia were skittled for 152 in the first innings, then to...

December 26, 2025 3:08 PM

Ashes: Batters run for cover on manic day one in fourth Test in Melbourne

Australia finished marginally on top at the end of a chaotic opening day of the fourth Ashes test after an extraordinary 20 wickets fell in front of a record crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday. Australia nightwatchman Scott Boland was four not out with Travis Head yet to score as the hosts went to stumps at four for no loss in their second innings, carrying a 46-run lead over England. With England bowled out for 110 in reply to Australia's first innings 152, it was the highest num...

December 26, 2025 1:09 PM

Ashes: Josh Tongue becomes first England bowler since 1998 to take five-for at MCG

Josh Tongue scripted history by becoming the first England bowler this century to claim a five-wicket haul in a men’s Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday. Tongue picked up figures of 5/45 during Australia’s first innings of 152 all out. Reeling 3-0 in the series, Tongue’s efforts helped England bowl out Australia cheaply in the first innings of the Boxing Day Test. It was the first time an England bowler had claimed a five-wicket haul in a Test at the MCG since Darren Gough an...

December 24, 2025 9:34 AM

Ben Stokes concerned for England player welfare amid media scrutiny

An emotional England captain Ben Stokes on Wednesday said the mental well-being of his players was his main priority heading into the last two matches of the Ashes series. The England players have come in for heavy criticism since Australia wrapped up an 82-run win in the third test in Adelaide on Sunday to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series and retain the urn. Media and social media reports of some players taking a "Stag Party" attitude to a trip to the Queensland resort of Noosa b...

December 23, 2025 1:25 PM

England’s McCullum wants to keep ‘pretty good gig’ despite Ashes defeat

England head coach Brendon McCullum says he wants to stay in his job despite a three-test defeat in the Ashes series but says his future is not in his hands. The New Zealander has come in for criticism during the series with England's 82-run defeat in the third test at Adelaide giving Australia an unassailable 3-0 lead. McCullum is contracted through to the end of the World Cup in 2027 so would get another opportunity to reclaim the Ashes in a home series that year if he stays in his post. "I...

December 23, 2025 1:00 PM

England to probe claims of drinking spree during Ashes tour break

England cricket managing director Rob Key said on Tuesday the team management would investigate allegations that players engaged in excessive drinking during a mid-series break ahead of the Adelaide Test in the Ashes series. The England squad spent four nights in Noosa, a coastal resort in Queensland, between the second and third Tests. The trip, organised by head coach Brendon McCullum, was described by team officials as an opportunity to reset after heavy defeats in Perth and Brisbane. Key, ...