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Stephan Shemilt
In Sydney, the Chief Cricket Reporter.
65 Comments
England should hold on to win the opener, according to former captain Michael Vaughan, who criticized Zak Crawley for “frustrating the life out of me.”
Crawley was out for 16 on the first morning of the final Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground before leading England in the series run-scorer.
The 27-year-old changed his approach to the finale by moving his guard across the stumps. When he faced Australia’s Michael Neser with a straight ball, he was out.
Vaughan stated on the Podcast Showcase Test Match Special that “he looks so good and then just leaves.”
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Only 11 deliveries made during the match for Crawley, who faced only 11 deliveries in the Ashes series, when they faced a pair in the first Test in Perth.
In the second innings of the third Test in Adelaide, he managed a battling 85 and scored 76 and 44 in the second match in Brisbane.
The tourists won their first series victory in Australia for 15 years and reduced the series deficit to 3-1 with the help of the 37-year-old Kent man at the start of England’s run-chase in the fourth Test in Melbourne.
Vaughan, who led England to their famous Ashes triumph in 2005, remarked, “Zak Crawley frustrates the life out of me.”
His levels of concentration are not that high. The big booming drives he played at the start of the series have now vanished. He doesn’t run the ball outside the stump.
However, I watched him today, so it shouldn’t detract from your reputation as a strong opening batter.
In Sydney, Crawley made an impressive 77 in the final Test of England’s previous Ashes tour in 2021-22, which gave him a 77-run lead in the opening match of his professional career.
In 103 Test innings, he has now opened the batting and returned an average of 30.82, which is the lowest among any top-order batsman in test history.
After this most recent series defeat in Australia, Vaughan, who opened with three centuries as England’s Ashes tour opener in 2002-03, believes England should hold on to its lead.
Fans say Crawley has a 30 on average, but Vaughan pointed out that he has a higher average than he is currently giving. Simply put, focus is required.
“I am aware that there is a lot more in the tank, and I believe England must remain with him.”
He said, “The movement he had today was fantastic, but he needs to understand the concentration levels needed for this kind of level to continue and average 40 to 45 over the course of the next two or three years.
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Stephan Shemilt
Chief Cricket Reporter in Sydney
65 Comments
Former captain Michael Vaughan said Zak Crawley “frustrates the life out of me”, but England should persevere with the opener.
Crawley began the final Ashes Test as England’s leading run-scorer in the series, then was out for 16 on the first morning at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The 27-year-old altered his technique for the finale, shifting his guard across the stumps. He was out lbw when he played across a straight ball from Australia’s Michael Neser.
“He looks such a good player – and then just gets out,” Vaughan told the Test Match Special podcast.
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Crawley began the Ashes series with a pair in the first Test in Perth, facing only 11 deliveries in the match.
Since then he has made scores of 76 and 44 in the second Test in Brisbane, and a battling 85 in the second innings of the third Test in Adelaide.
The Kent man’s 37 at the beginning of England’s run-chase in the fourth Test in Melbourne was vital to the tourists recording their first victory in Australia for 15 years and cutting the series deficit to 3-1.
“Zak Crawley frustrates the life out of me,” said Vaughan, who captained England to their famous Ashes triumph of 2005.
“His concentration levels are not the strongest. If you go to the start of the series where he played the big booming drives, those drives have gone away now. He’s not chasing the ball outside off stump.
“But today I was watching him and that should not get you out as a quality opening batter.”
In Sydney, Crawley returned to the ground where he made an impressive 77 in the fourth Test of England’s previous Ashes tour in 2021-22 – an innings that kickstarted his career.
He has now opened the batting in 103 Test innings and returned an average of 30.82 – the lowest of any batter in Test history to have as many opportunities at the top of the order.
But Vaughan, who made three centuries as an opener in England’s Ashes tour of 2002-03, believes England should persevere with Crawley in the aftermath of this latest series defeat in Australia.
“I hear fans around the world saying Crawley averages 30, but there’s a bigger average in him than he’s giving at the moment,” said Vaughan. “It’s just concentration.
“I know there is a lot more in the tank and I do think England have to stay with him.
“The movement he had today was fantastic but he needs to understand the concentration levels required at this kind of level to go on and average 40 to 45 over the course of the next two or three years.
Meghan and Prince Harry have always vowed to keep their two young children’s privates, but a new report claims that Archie and Lilibet have a plan in place as they age. Experts weigh in on the sudden shift
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Harry and Meghan have spoken on their future in a joint statement(Image: Getty Images)
Little comes before their two children for Meghan and Harry, but what will the young Sussexes’ future hold?
Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, four, have spent most of their childhoods being kept away from the spotlight, with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex working hard to ensure their privacy. Even when it comes to sharing photographs of the youngsters, the couple often opt to release images that keep their faces out of the shot, a trend that’s become increasingly popular amongst A-listers and celebs in the age of social media, including with other royals like Princess Beatrice.
However, royal fans were delighted in December when the photograph released by Harry and Meghan to mark Christmas gave them a glimpse into just how big Archie and Lilibet are getting on, with the couple sharing a shot that gave more of a look at Archie’s face than normal. Harry was seen beaming down at his son and holding the side of the little boy’s face, who in turn looked up at his father adoringly, with his arms wrapped tightly round the Duke’s waist.
READ MORE: ‘I spoke to Kate Middleton for 90 minutes and realised change is coming’READ MORE: Should Harry and Meghan’s children have official royal roles in the future? Have your say
Body language and communications expert, Judi James, said that the Christmas photo – where Archie was a little more visible than usual – that it could be part of a clever plan by Harry and Meghan to avoid something of a “free-for-all frenzy” of public scrutiny when the children are older.
She explained: “The children are the central point of the idealistic Christmas photo with the pose showing both parents doting on them, but also keeping them visually ‘locked’ in their fairytale-looking world. However, the glimpses here do seem to be a little more open with Archie in particular slightly more visible than usual.”
The expert added: “Perhaps then this is the start of a gradual U-turn to wean the public into more visible glimpses of the children, but without creating any frenzy”.
The communications expert noted that this process would need to be carefully run to prevent the kids from becoming bored later. Harry and Meghan will have created what is known as a “queue trap” for royal and celebrity fans by filming them from backseat and from their constant public references to their obviously beloved two offspring. The peek-a-boo glimpses have fuelled interest and speculation rather than the kind of anonymity that might have occurred if the whole family had moved off to a low-profile life abroad”, she said.
Meghan and Harry made the adorable family photo after changing the name of their charitable foundation to Archewell Philanthropies, a significant professional change. It’s been the couple’s arm for “showing up and doing good” for five years now – but one particular aspect of the statement announcing the new chapter caught attention: a fleeting mention of the Sussex children themselves.
Although it was a brief nod to young Archie and Lilibet, the statement said that “this charitable organization allows the couple and their children to expand upon their global philanthropic endeavors as a family.” It also marked a significant change in how the couple views their family life, which is typically kept very apart from their public image. This “brief but powerful statement,” according to Judi, “sounds like the two worlds of public and private might collide.”
And now fresh reports have claimed that the Sussexes are gearing up to give Archie and Lilibet public roles in then future. A source quoted as one of Harry’s “old friends” is said to be “confused” by the move. They reportedly told the Daily Mail: “Harry and Meghan were always so insistent that their children would be able to make their own way in life without the pressure of expectations or titles. I can’t believe Harry is behind this. It must be Meghan’s influence.” A source disputed to the Mirror the accuracy of the report, saying: “I do not believe this has come from an ‘old friend of the Duke’.” However, they did not comment on the claim that Archie and Lilibet could have public roles when they get older.
Judi James claims Harry and Meghan made a wise decision by including the children in the charity statement. “The fact is their children are growing and will presumably start to have their own opinions about their public profile and visibility, too.
The inclusion of their “efforts” and the Christmas photo may suggest that they are getting ready for that specific moment in advance to avoid any free-for-all frenzy. The images and the quote suggest that their future will still be largely viewed as a family and closely watched and diligently watched by their parents.
Meanwhile, PR to the stars Mayah Riaz told the Mirror that in her view, the brief mention of Archie and Lilibet was a powerful example of” future-proofing “and showed that the couple are focussed on” Legacy over noise, values over visibility. The PR whizz pointed out that this was not a “U-turn” in her opinion when Harry and Meghan attempted to balance their professional lives with parenting, but rather something much more “subtle.”
” I would not see this as a U turn so much as a subtle repositioning, “Mayah explained”. The Sussexes have never really lost their minds about safeguarding the privacy of their children. The way their family story is framed has changed. This is less about putting the children in the public eye and more about future proofing the brand.
“Instead of being meaningful, mentioning the children in the context of Archewell is symbolic. Legacy, continuity, and values are all emphasized. In PR terms, it says this is not a short-term celebrity project but something rooted in family and long-term purpose. This distinction is important because you can discuss your children without explicitly mentioning them.
The statement and photo for Christmas feel carefully crafted. It is warm, aspirational and values led, especially at a time of year when audiences are more receptive to messages about family and togetherness. It views philanthropy as a shared family philosophy rather than merely a professional endeavor. that is successful abroad.
The expert added that the claim that it was “confusing” to bring up the Sussex children in the announcement misses the mark. Mayah clarified that privacy does not imply erasure. The children are not being used as props or visually exposed. They are being made known as a component of the justification. That is a wise decision from the perspective of reputation management.
“If anything, this is about control. They lessen speculation and prevent others from speaking out on their behalf by defining the narrative themselves. A single line does a lot of lifting. It says we are parents, this work matters to us deepl, y and it is bigger than any single news cycle. In essence, it is not a U-turn. It is a muted intention. Legacy over noise, values over visibility”.
Over the past year, the couple has been consistently incorporating their children into their legacy. Meghan has shared photos of sweet family moments on social media, from pumpkin patches to meals shared with her children, as she continues to gain more knowledge about the Sussex family’s idyllic-looking lives in California.
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The couple is eager to get their children involved in philanthropy from a young age, just like Harry’s own parents did when he was a child, by taking the kids to a Thanksgiving event at Our Big Kitchen Los Angeles where they helped prepare meals for “neighbours in need” over the holiday weekend.
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Matthew Henry
Journalist for BBC Sport
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Will Harry Brook ever get old enough to be discussed?
The England batter has been the most talked-about touring player throughout this Ashes series, from the slogs in Perth to the wild drive in Brisbane, to the reverse sweep in Adelaide or his Boxing Day bash.
The brain fades have drowned out the good moments.
Brook recorded his highest series score of the series, 78 not out, on day one of the fifth Test in Sydney.
three hours ago
ago, one hour ago
Much of this innings was what Brook England fans had hoped for, even though it came too late for the series.
With no sign of a sound alarm, he eased to 20 from his first 30 balls, which came in at 57-3.
He dropped his next delivery into the offside and rotated the strike after a second ball with an inside edge that slackly missed his stumps.
In contrast to the series’ first four Tests, he defended or left 53% of deliveries on the standard “good length” – a respectable jump.
Brook appeared to be learning.
However, England’s vice-captain’s affairs are rarely straightforward.
Only Herbert Sutcliffe can surpass 3, 000 Test runs in his 57th innings for England, but he still causes a lot of frustration.
Without passing 51 in seven of his eight previous innings on the tour, he has already reached 15 and has fallen on at least twice on shots he has personally described as “shocking.”
After saying in Adelaide that he wanted to learn how to apply the pressure, Brook came out on top and nearly subdued in another bloodbath rush.
Harry, have you learned anything? Really?
When Australia’s most obvious of plans arrived, Brook had 38 balls to his name from 48.
Five fielders were pushed into the shadows of the Sydney Cricket Ground’s famous stands by captain Steve Smith and bowler Mitchell Starc, and the ball was bowled short.
England’s fans were also aware of what would happen next. Brook is never resistant.
After two balls into Australia’s Plan B, which reduced Starc’s best bowler in the series to a battering ram, Brook backed away and almost edged a catch to the fielder who was third.
When he miscued a pull shot in Starc’s next over, he was given a warning before going on to miss it and repeating the shot from his next delivery.
None of the three Australians who were present could cover the ground needed to finish the catch made it loop high into the sky.
Brook managed to survive this time.
Brook misplaced another close to fine leg after Starc had passed.
Then he unleashed his full force, lifting another from all-rounder Cameron Green into the stands, rather than putting the shot away.
It was a typical Brook response.
He said, “I just didn’t feel like I was staying on top of the ball as much as I usually do.”
When I began trying to go aerial, I simply felt like everything was set up for me and that the wind was obviously moving that way.
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After 59 innings, Brook has 3, 130 runs and an average of 55.89.
It is because he is predicted to be one of the best batters of the upcoming generation in the place of Root, Smith, Virat Kohli, and Kane Williamson, as well as the current “Fab Four.”
That current generation has made century-making seem inevitable throughout their careers.
How many times has Steve Smith leaned across you and tucked into your leg knowing you had to wait a long time?
That Virat Kohli wrist flick that causes a ball to pass through the middle of the wicket? You already anticipated the following hundred.
Former England captain Sir Alastair Cook, who spoke on TNT Sports, said, “I think he]Brook] will still evolve.
He thinks differently because he averages 56, making it one of the fastest test runs among the 3, 000.
He possesses that genius in him, and his bat has a maverick quality to it.
He will desire consistency and greatness. He will adjust that balance.
When four men are out on the leg side and three are on the off side in two or three years, Graeme Swann said, “When he just gets out of the way of it, tires the bowler out, makes sure one or two of the fielders come in and then goes for it.”
Brook did comfort those who desired to rein it in, though.
He said, “I just need to be a little bit more patient and take my ones in between innings,” which I thankfully did today and in a few of the other innings as well.
That’s something I need to think about going forward and put that into my game, and I’m trying to be a little patient at times, whether that’s taking my ones or trying to push boundaries.
On day two, Brook could reach his 100th for Australia, and the conversation would then move on.
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Matthew Henry
Journalist for BBC Sport
118 Comments
Will Harry Brook ever get old enough to be discussed?
The England batter has been the most talked-about touring player throughout this Ashes series, from the slogs in Perth to the wild drive in Brisbane, to the reverse sweep in Adelaide or his Boxing Day bash.
The brain fades have drowned out the good moments.
Brook recorded his highest series score of the series, 78 not out, on day one of the fifth Test in Sydney.
three hours ago
ago, one hour ago
Much of this innings was what Brook England fans had hoped for, even though it came too late for the series.
With no sign of a sound alarm, he eased to 20 from his first 30 balls, which came in at 57-3.
He dropped his next delivery into the offside and rotated the strike after a second ball with an inside edge that slackly missed his stumps.
In contrast to the series’ first four Tests, he defended or left 53% of deliveries on the standard “good length” – a respectable jump.
Brook appeared to be learning.
However, England’s vice-captain’s affairs are rarely straightforward.
Only Herbert Sutcliffe can surpass 3, 000 Test runs in his 57th innings for England, but he still causes a lot of frustration.
Without passing 51 in seven of his eight previous innings on the tour, he has already reached 15 and has fallen on at least twice on shots he has personally described as “shocking.”
After saying in Adelaide that he wanted to learn how to apply the pressure, Brook came out on top and nearly subdued in another bloodbath rush.
Harry, have you learned anything? Really?
When Australia’s most obvious of plans arrived, Brook had 38 balls to his name from 48.
Five fielders were pushed into the shadows of the Sydney Cricket Ground’s famous stands by captain Steve Smith and bowler Mitchell Starc, and the ball was bowled short.
England’s fans were also aware of what would happen next. Brook is never resistant.
After two balls into Australia’s Plan B, which reduced Starc’s best bowler in the series to a battering ram, Brook backed away and almost edged a catch to the fielder who was third.
When he miscued a pull shot in Starc’s next over, he was given a warning before going on to miss it and repeating the shot from his next delivery.
None of the three Australians who were present could cover the ground needed to finish the catch made it loop high into the sky.
Brook managed to survive this time.
Brook misplaced another close to fine leg after Starc had passed.
Then he unleashed his full force, lifting another from all-rounder Cameron Green into the stands, rather than putting the shot away.
It was a typical Brook response.
He said, “I just didn’t feel like I was staying on top of the ball as much as I usually do.”
When I began trying to go aerial, I simply felt like everything was set up for me and that the wind was obviously moving that way.
JavaScript must be enabled in your browser to play this video.
After 59 innings, Brook has 3, 130 runs and an average of 55.89.
It is because he is predicted to be one of the best batters of the upcoming generation in the place of Root, Smith, Virat Kohli, and Kane Williamson, as well as the current “Fab Four.”
That current generation has made century-making seem inevitable throughout their careers.
How many times has Steve Smith leaned across you and tucked into your leg knowing you had to wait a long time?
That Virat Kohli wrist flick that causes a ball to pass through the middle of the wicket? You already anticipated the following hundred.
Former England captain Sir Alastair Cook, who spoke on TNT Sports, said, “I think he]Brook] will still evolve.
He thinks differently because he averages 56, making it one of the fastest test runs among the 3, 000.
He possesses that genius in him, and his bat has a maverick quality to it.
He will desire consistency and greatness. He will adjust that balance.
When four men are out on the leg side and three are on the off side in two or three years, Graeme Swann said, “When he just gets out of the way of it, tires the bowler out, makes sure one or two of the fielders come in and then goes for it.”
Brook did comfort those who desired to rein it in, though.
He said, “I just need to be a little bit more patient and take my ones in between innings,” which I thankfully did today and in a few of the other innings as well.
That’s something I need to think about going forward and put that into my game, and I’m trying to be a little patient at times, whether that’s taking my ones or trying to push boundaries.
On day two, Brook could reach his 100th for Australia, and the conversation would then move on.
Due to bad light and rain that prevented England from winning the fifth Ashes Test by 211-3, Joe Root and Harry Brook are given no chance to improve on their 154-run partnership.
