Paul Newman
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Paul Newman
@paulfnewman66.bsky.social
Writing about cricket again @TheAthletic
Reposted by Paul Newman
The England captain said he will be having conversations with his team-mates in the nine days between now and the third Test in Adelaide and, when he goes and knocks on their doors, he must deliver some harsh truths.

England cannot afford another game of just rocking up and playing the same way.
Nasser Hussain: ‘England’s players will not like what they hear, but Ben Stokes must deliver harsh truths’
The England captain needs to ascertain whether his players have the strength of character and adaptability to turn the Ashes series around
theathletic.com
December 8, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Reposted by Paul Newman
Then England spectacularly fluffed their lines.

The Ashes were not over at the end of the second day of the second Test.

But if they are slipping away yet again for England — and, let’s be honest, history tells you they are — then they can only blame themselves.
England have handed Australia the initiative. The Ashes are drifting away
Three years of planning appear to have been undermined by only four days of cricket as England, already 1-0 down, play catch-up at the Gabba
theathletic.com
December 5, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Reposted by Paul Newman
But, of course, it did matter. It made all the difference.

And now he has achieved it.
Joe Root, an Ashes century in Australia and the end of one of cricket’s silliest narratives
The most prolific batter in English history finally scored his first Test hundred in Australia to prove he is an Extraordinary Joe
theathletic.com
December 4, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Reposted by Paul Newman
In the humidity and hostility of the Gabba, England’s greatest batter broke his duck Down Under.

🔗 theathletic.com/6858031/?sou...
The Ashes Briefing: Root scores his first century in Australia, but Starc torments England again
Another blistering day of Test cricket saw Root, defiant amid the frenzy, finally reach his landmark as Australia claimed nine wickets
theathletic.com
December 4, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Reposted by Paul Newman
The Kent opener has come under severe scrutiny after a poor run of form which has seen him score just one century in his last 22 Tests, against Zimbabwe in May, with his Test average having dropped to 30.96.
England coach Brendon McCullum is backing Zak Crawley – but should he?
England's under-fire opener is set to play in Brisbane but time is running out for him to prove he deserves faith.
theathletic.com
November 23, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Reposted by Paul Newman
“Ben Stokes said he was shell-shocked afterwards but now he’s got to dust himself off and move on. But he has to do that by learning. He can’t just say: ‘That’s the way we play’…”
Nasser Hussain: How England can save the Ashes
England need to look at themselves and work out why their batters played the shots they did in that miserable second innings capitulation
theathletic.com
November 23, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Reposted by Paul Newman
Or at least, the version of it that breeds erratic batting, cheap wickets and vigorous shakes of the head from those who wistfully wish for five days of the majestic Test cricket of yore, writes @michaeljbailey.bsky.social in Perth.
The Ashes Briefing: England fight back with raw pace after Mitchell Starc’s career best haul
The opening day of the series saw a record number of wickets fall as the Ashes began in dramatic style
theathletic.com
November 21, 2025 at 10:56 AM