England’s fab five bully Australia’s finest with faultless display of raw aggression | Simon Burnton

By the time Mark Wood replaced Jofra Archer the only thing Steve Smith seemed to know for certain was that he wanted to be at the non-striker’s endAfter freewheeling at increasing pace for 16 giddy months, the Ashes hypemobile had to run out of road. But instead of letting it come to a juddering halt, somehow these 22 players managed to conjure a fresh acceleration.It is implausible for something as anticipated as this not to produce disappointment, as anyone who follows England knows far too well. Those are memories that will have flooded miserably back when Zak Crawley nicked the sixth ball of the day to slip. His wicket marked the start of not only the sudden whoosh of optimism leaking from the English balloon of hot air, but of a day of 19 wickets, bowling of impeccable quality (with exceptions), and absurd entertainment. Continue reading...

Comments

Similar News

Mark Wood Ashes blow as England pace bowler ruled out of Gabba Test

‘Call us rubbish’: Ben Stokes hits back at claims that England are ‘arrogant’

‘I could have been a better captain’: Stokes admits errors as England seek Ashes reset

Ashes latest: England dealt huge Mark Wood injury blow ahead of second Test

Ashes latest as Australia missing captain for second Test against England tourists

What England's Ashes flops are doing ahead of crucial second Test in Brisbane

Ben Stokes hits back at 'arrogant' accusation and defends England preparations for Ashes series

Why England openers fail in Australia - as the rare few who have succeeded reveal their secrets (and tips for Zak Crawley) to LAWRENCE BOOTH

Ben Stokes delivers bullish response to Aussie claims his England side are 'arrogant' after humiliating first Test defeat

Are England actually honest with themselves? If they are, they’ll know they have to change | Mark Ramprakash

Pat Cummins: Australia make decision over captain for second Ashes Test against England

Why Stuart Broad thinks England are playing the lottery in Brisbane day/night Ashes Test

Australia learn Pat Cummins fate as squad named for second Ashes Test vs England

Zak Crawley gets clear verdict after England's Ashes failure as critics branded 'hypocrites'

Aussie Test great Ricky Ponting SLAMS England for defending the Bazball approach that cost them 'the unlosable Test match'

EMILIO GAY INTERVIEW: Playing Test cricket for England is my dream... after I've knocked them out of the World Cup with Italy

Aussie Ashes hero Travis Head reveals his driving motivation to beat England - and Bazball fans will NOT be happy

Cricket nerds love precedent so maybe England can channel spirit of Lord’s 2005

Aussie cricket great claims England coach Brendon McCullum could be SACKED if the Bazballers continue to do one thing

England plan extra training sessions in wake of howling first Ashes Test defeat

Cricket news

Usman Khawaja became an Ashes villain with his own Aussie fans. Now a cricket legend says one of his teammates can end his career with four simple words

Ashes latest: England dealt huge Mark Wood injury blow ahead of second Test

Usman Khawaja's unhinged Ashes rant as the Aussie opener hangs onto his place in the team by his fingernails

I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! star predicted to scoop £5m in deals after jungle

Aussie cricket great slams 'drunk' English fans for abusing him and Steve Smith over shameful episode: 'They carry on like pork chops'

Cricket cult hero Merv Hughes reveals stunning fact about England's Ashes loss as he gets into war of words with Three Lions fans

Revealed: The reason for the 'strange' Ashes start time that has left English fans scratching their heads

Aussie newspaper that infuriated England great with attack on Joe Root does it again with a VERY sexualised headline

The true cost of England's Ashes embarrassment in Perth revealed after Travis Head assault

Bazball has lost the element of surprise - far from improving, England's progress under Brendon McCullum has stalled, writes LAWRENCE BOOTH

Michael Vaughan warns Ben Stokes that England 'should be worried about supporters turning on them' during the Ashes if they keep doing one simple thing

Nathan Lyon reveals Travis Head's stunning five-word prediction just before the century that saved the Ashes Test for Australia

Time is running out for Zak Crawley to reward England's infatuation when the plunge into mediocrity is always lurking round the corner, writes RICHARD GIBSON

David Warner's ironwoman wife contemplated suicide after toilet tryst with rugby star

Shocking new rumour about one of Australia's biggest stars could take the gloss off stunning win in the first Ashes Test

Aussie cricket great Mitchell Johnson drops a brutal truth bomb on Usman Khawaja after his Ashes disaster

Ashes war erupts as Barmy Army cops the blame over disgraceful booze-fuelled scenes during First Test - but did an Aussie sporting tradition REALLY trigger the wild behaviour?

Zak Crawley comes under fire as pundits and fans question England opener's place in the side after he set unwanted record in dismal first Ashes Test showing

Revealed: Why Aussie cricket bosses will NOT be happy with Ashes hero Travis Head

Freddie Flintoff's mega net worth is dwarfed by ex-England cricket star's huge fortune

England legend Sir Geoffrey Boycott hits out at 'stupid things' Ben Stokes' team do after embarrassing Ashes collapse

Michael Vaughan sends England warning not to look 'amateurish' after Ashes thrashing

Travis Head singles out Aussie star who really damaged England in honest Ashes admission

Australia's Popeye with a Super Mario moustache Travis Head is the toast of Australia - his name will go down in Ashes folklore after his one-man demolition of England

Fans left in stitches at England legend Stuart Broad's hilarious reaction to Joe Root's dismissal and Matthew Hayden's jibe

Ashes first Test ratings: The England star handed ZERO who has one Test to save his career - and the Australia hero who almost scored the perfect ten

Ben Stokes: Travis Head domination 'knocked wind' out of England in humbling Ashes defeat

England's feeble surrender during an hour of madness risks reopening old scars. Their refusal to adapt to conditions was alarming - we could be in for a long tour, writes LAWRENCE BOOTH

'It has got to hurt': Shell-shocked England captain Ben Stokes urges team-mates to feel pain of Ashes humbling

Stuart Broad mocked by Australian commentator during England Ashes collapse

England suffer brutal eight wicket loss as Australia clinch victory in first Ashes Test

The Ashes: All you need to know as Travis Head heroics stun England for huge Australia win

England suffer humiliating Ashes defeat as Australia romp to First Test win

England Ashes player ratings as 1/10 star sets tone for humbling defeat vs Australia

England hit with 'amateurish' warning after Ashes hammering as ex-captain offers solution

Mitchell Starc's incredible catch, Jamie Smith's controversial dismissal and England's wastefulness: First Test in 60 seconds

England suffer humiliating first Test defeat after yet another batting collapse - before Travis Head masterclass leads Australia to unlikely victory

Why England batter Jamie Smith was given OUT amid Ashes DRS review shocker vs Australia

England fans make feelings clear but Zak Crawley's unwanted record sums up Ashes collapse

England get instant new Jamie Smith verdict after Ashes DRS controversy vs Australia

Ashes disaster gets even WORSE for Aussie star after fans turned on him

Inside Stuart Broad's life including 'split' with Mollie King and secret heartbreak

ASHES BREAKFAST: England fans offered perfect hangover remedy on second morning as Mitchell Starc continues extraordinary run and inspires 'Duckett's Buckets' rival

See the insane Ashes catch one Aussie legend has called 'the best I have ever seen'

Usman Khawaja becomes an Ashes villain with AUSSIE fans after shocking revelation about the lead-up to his first Test farce

England vs Australia LIVE - The Ashes Day 2: Aussies on the ropes at 129 with just one wicket remaining after drama-filled opening day

The Ashes LIVE: Alastair Cook forced into apology as England leave Australia reeling

England leave Australian media reeling after Ashes drama as 'brainless' decision slammed

Australia's ruthless media turn on their OWN cricketers and concede Ashes defence is in 'total disarray' already - before revealing embarrassing real reason why Usman Khawaja was unable to open

The Aussie cricket wives tier list: Our ultimate Ashes WAG rankings - including the English backpacker who struck gold... and the controversial blonde who doesn't make the top three

Ashes: England great urges side to open up 'scars' in Australia's batting

England icon forced to apologise during Ashes coverage after awkward moment

Brydon Carse reveals the motivational message from Ben Stokes that inspired England's Ashes fightback on thrilling first day

Terrifying moment EARTHQUAKE stops play for three minutes in cricket match as players and fans scramble for safety during 5.7 magnitude tremor that wreaks havoc in Bangladesh

Monty is England's Mastermind! Panesar says 'sensitive' Australia captain Steve Smith is 'rattled' after crumbling in the Ashes in the wake of his TV quiz mockery

England have never had an Ashes bowling attack this lethal, hostile and ruthless. They possess speed-gun rattling menace at every turn - and it's all thanks to a Bazball doctrine that has gone under the radar

Michael Vaughan claims England have opened up 'SCARS' and left Australia's batsmen 'on the ropes' after barnstorming first day in the Ashes