#ashes2025

Despite staunch criticism and the meteoric rise of Jacob Bethell, Ollie Pope is still certain to feature for Ben Stokes' XI come the first Ashes Test in Perth on 21 November.

Pope's place in the side was already under scrutiny during the English summer, despite scores of 171 against Zimbabwe and 106 in the first Test against India. In his eight innings since, however, Pope has only managed one score of 50+ at an average of 25.

This reflects much of his career, where he has built a reputation of scoring big hundreds but never really found any consistency. Notably, since 2024, Pope has only averaged 35.04, but his 196 in Hyderabad is talked about as one of the all time great knocks for a touring batsman in India that set up England's first-Test victory.

The fait of BazBall in Australia also rests heavily on Pope. Untried and untested against such pace and bounce, you feel England will desperately need Pope to score well even if Joe Root overcomes his Aussie woes to score his first hundred Down Under. Other batters that have been handpicked for Australia, notably Zak Crawley and Jamie Smith, could thrive, but are also no guarantees given the temperance needed to thrive in such hostile conditions for five Test matches.

Then there is Jacob Bethell.

His explosion onto the scene in an England shirt has been seismic, having already captained in Ireland, scored a first ODI hundred and made three Test half-centuries at three in New Zealand all before the age of 22.

While Pope's technique has also been critcised by many as jittery and unnerving against what will be relentless lines and lengths from the likes of Pat Cummins, Scott Boland and Josh Hazlewood, Bethell, as a left hander with supreme talent who's demonstrated his temperance in New Zealand, only needs time in the middle to become what England see as their future across all formats.

In mind of all of this, though, I still believe Pope will 100% be the first name on the sheet come Perth because of one factor - Ben Stokes. If Stokes is fit, which seems increasingly likely, he will without doubt trust Pope to deliver, which he arguably has with an average of 39.98 since he took over the captaincy.

And even if he isn't fit, and newly-announced vice captain Harry Brook captains, Stokes will absolutely want Pope's experience, gained from both serving under him and in his place, out in the middle. Stokes himself said it would be "remarkable" if we saw Pope dropped during the India series, with Alastair Cook stating that such a "gamble" in Australia would easily "cause danger" to England's chances of regaining the Ashes.

In Stokes' absence, the obvious replacement for him would then be Bethell to feature at number 6, or to be in contention to play as a spin-bowling all-rounder should McCullum go with four seamers over playing Shoaib Bashir as a frontline spinner.

Either way, Pope is definitely set to feature in Perth, for what is being anticipated as the most highly anticipated Ashes series in Australia and England's best chances of victory since 2010/11, when England last claimed victory away in amazing fashion. Nonetheless, we will still all be praying to avoid another Rory Burns moment come the first ball from Mitchell Starc at the Optus Stadium.

England have lost the Ashes inside 11 days.

Some will say, including countless Australians, that Bazball was destined to fail here. That England's attacking approach had hardly ever proven to be effective in either alien conditions or against Test cricket's most successful nations.

But there is no denying that it absolutely deserved a shot, and that many of the likes of Stuart Broad were correct in saying that this is England's best chance down under since the Ashes victory of Andrew Strauss' side in 2010/11, against the worst Australian squad since the same series.

Despite their form stagnating since the Ashes in 2023, England arrived in Perth for the first Test still with that X factor that so many fans had come to love about them - the ability to chase 350 or the ability to take wickets from nowhere and turn a game on its head, no matter the state of play.

And the bowlers gave England fans hope. Australia were all out for 132 after England had bowled exceptionally and suddenly had a lead, but the batters failed to capitalise. It is probably the consistently rash shots by the likes of Harry Brook and Ollie Pope that will define the entire series for England.

And despite the fact fans were in disbelief, its not like they hadn't seen this before. On so many occasions have this team been ahead in the game and either capitulated with the bat or simply made the wrong decisions. Declaring against Australia at Edgbaston, the batting collapse in Rajkot or failing to beat the same India at the Oval this summer.

The crumble after being 99-1 at tea on the first day at the Optus was the sum of it all going far too under the radar of the Stokes-McCullum regime. Stokes' comments about the 'has-beens' who questioned England's approach could be said to have foreseen the inevitable.

Yes, they have prepared like they have for the Ashes and been successful. Yes, they had suffered the same issues and gone on to produce miracles in the same games. But Pakistan or New Zealand, England's notable away victories under Stokes, are not Australia. Nowhere is. It requires its own manual that even Bazball must now adhere to if they are to end their 18-game winless streak down under.

Nowhere else on Earth combines 40 degree heat in the field with the bounciest, fastest pitches and tens of thousands of raucous supporters. It's not the peaceful hills of Mount Maunganui or the batting highways of Multan. It's the noise of the Gabbatoire, the MCG and the Optus combined with the greatest bowling attack in the world, regardless of who's in the Australian XI.

As a result, no England team losing down under can ever not be cut a bit of slack. It's the toughest place in the world for an Englishman to bat, bowl or field. While the Aussies were without Cummins for the first two Tests, Lyon and Smith for one and Hazlewood entirely, they are never to be counted out.

Their bowling was relentlessly disciplined, batting solid and fielding absolutely world class. Mitchell Starc relished in the spotlight, placing his deliveries in the perfect spots for the likes of Duckett, Crawley or Brook to impatiently drive on the up. Travis Head batted imperiously at the top of the order in one of the great tactical manoeuvres, and Alex Carey was faultless with both the gloves and the bat in hand to halt any England fightback.

It has just been the hope that has killed the tens of thousands of travelling fans. The dream that this tour might have been different.

That makes this defeat arguably the most disappointing since 2010/11, regardless as to whether England are whitewashed like they have been twice since. But at least a hopeful future remains in sight. In 2021, England fans were totally hopeless, with one win in 17 matches and their best player Joe Root resigning as captain, along with the coaching staff.

After nearly a decade and a half of frustration, England’s men secured a long-awaited Test victory on Australian soil, edging past Australia by four wickets at the MCG. Fans following along on 빠른티비 witnessed a match shaped by a difficult pitch, bold intent, and moments of real tension. It was not a flawless performance, but it was one built on courage and belief when it mattered most.

The MCG Surface Takes Center Stage 🏟️⚠️

From the very first session, the pitch refused to behave like a typical Boxing Day surface. Batting looked uncomfortable throughout, with uneven bounce and movement keeping players guessing. Wickets fell quickly on the opening day, setting the tone for a match where survival often felt like success. Viewers watching via 빠른티비 saw both teams struggle to build long innings, turning every small partnership into a valuable moment.

England’s Bowlers Set the Platform 🎯🔥

Australia entered their second innings with a narrow advantage but could not break free. Ben Stokes led with energy and sharp decision-making, while Brydon Carse delivered one of his most impactful spells. Josh Tongue continued his impressive form, adding pace and control. Travis Head’s resistance gave Australia hope, yet the total of 132 left England with a target that felt reachable, especially for those tracking the shifts live on 빠른티비.

A Fearless Start Shifts the Mood 🏏⚡

England’s chase began with clear intent. Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett attacked early, removing pressure before it could build. Their quick scoring not only cut down the target but also changed the emotional balance of the match. Shots played with confidence and freedom became instant talking points among fans watching through 빠른티비, reminding everyone of England’s aggressive approach.

Jacob Bethell Makes His Mark 🌟👏

Jacob Bethell’s recall turned into a defining moment. Calm under pressure, he played with imagination and assurance, finding gaps and punishing loose deliveries. His 40-run contribution stood out in a match where no batter reached a half-century. For many following on 빠른티비, Bethell’s innings felt like a glimpse into England’s next generation taking responsibility.

Late Drama Before the Winning Moment ⏳🙌

With the finish in sight, tension returned as wickets fell late. Joe Root and Ben Stokes departed, briefly opening the door for Australia. England held their nerve, though, crossing the line amid loud support from travelling fans. The reaction was restrained but meaningful. After 15 years, England had finally changed the story in Australia, a moment shared widely across 빠른티비 screens.

WATCH LIVE SPORTS ON QUICKTV 👇🎬