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Australia’s unbeaten Ashes Tests run was always going to come to an end.

It was obviously disappointing for us Australians in the commentary boxes that it came to an 18-game tie with England winning in Melbourne, but not devastating.

I can’t figure out how England managed to lose 16 out of 18 before that, which had been going on for almost 15 years.

It must be the mental and tactical side of the game, as I suggested last week because they have had some strong players during that time (Joe Root, Ben Stokes, James Anderson, Stuart Broad, and others).

We initially wondered how it would play when we learned that the surface would have 10mm of grass, especially since the last year’s Boxing Day Test against India had 3mm less and ended the fifth day’s session.

Although the bowlers were bowled too far, the outcome left me to wonder about some of the batters’ methods and application.

How much did they actually use their own resources and formulate different strategies to counteract the moving ball?

Not enough, in my opinion. However, it did absolutely set the tone for England.

Over the past few weeks, months, and years, bazball has been so extensively discussed, but England’s aggressive batting style is best suited for fourth innings batting.

They do a fantastic chasing.

Their attacking attack aids in pursuing targets, as they did against India in 2022 and 2025, respectively, in their 378 and 371 pursuits. Even with the ball moving around, it was still challenging this time, even with only 175 runs available.

I wonder why Stokes won the toss and decided to bat in the first two Tests of this series, especially on a pitch like that of Melbourne, in Perth.

I appreciate the benefits of hindsight, but I’m curious if Stokes, if given the chance, would do it once more.

Stokes is attempting to win the fifth Test in Sydney with the monkey on his back.

Even though a 3-2 defeat would undoubtedly improve England’s record over a 4-1 defeat, it would be even more frustrating in many ways because it would only reinforce what was already there.

With more mental and tactical strength than they have in the past, England could have won this series against Australia.

They must not think that way before the upcoming Test, of course.

Even if a score of 3-2 would cause frustration, the review that follows this series, which is even more crucial for the coaching staff than the players, may save jobs.

These players are talented, like Harry Brook, whose talent is exceptional, or Zak Crawley, whose Adelaide innings serve as a model for the future.

In an upheaval, I would hate to see them leave.

The coaching staff’s efforts to adapt and learn from the mistakes made in Perth and Brisbane would be reflected in England’s efforts.

That is crucial going forward.

I hope Australia can recover from their defeat in Melbourne and use that as motivation.

With the exception of Steve Smith, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Cummins, and other frontline bowlers Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, and Steve Smith all missing at times, they have played so well to this point.

You don’t want to take your foot off the gas, though, but they did a lot to help them win the series.

Was Cummins restrained for Melbourne because of legitimate health concerns? If so, Ashes continues to be a series. Every Test match must be priced accordingly.

Jake Weatherald hasn’t passed 20 innings in four of his career, so he needs a score to secure his future.

After his subpar run, Beau Webster will be under pressure to replace him in the starting lineup, but I still believe he will have an amazing career when he returns to the game after his injury absence. It is surprising that Usman Khawaja hasn’t already announced that this will be his final Test at the age of 39.

Along with Shane Warne and Justin Langer, I retired following the 2006-2007 series’ Sydney Test. In addition, earlier in the series, Danien Martyn called it quits.

Before the Perth Test, Warney and I discussed the possibility of retiring, which would leave us with a 2-0 lead. Making an announcement while the series was still live was the last thing we wanted to do.

Our decision was made after Adam Gilchirst scored an incredible 100 in Perth, which gave the next two Tests even more weight.

I’m very pleased with the way we came to a conclusion in such a dominant manner.

There has never been a discussion of dead rubbers, and there should never be.

For me and my family, the Sydney Test will be a special occasion as always.

The 18th ” Pink Test” will be held in my late wife’s honor, and last year we expanded the foundation’s scope to include breast cancer as well as other cancer types.

Given the scale, it can be emotional, but given that it is a sport event, I view it as a celebration of life.

To watch at home against Wolves at Manchester United, Liverpool take on Leeds, and Chelsea take on Bournemouth’s sluggish away defense.

You just need to figure out which players will be rotated as the game progresses quickly and consistently.

Good luck!

As if you were playing a Free Hit, the team of the week is chosen based on the current FPL prices to fit within a £100m budget.

With only three returns, the experience returns to normal after three fantastic weeks.

Virgil van Dijk’s chelten sheet wipeouts against Wolves and the triple Arsenal defense failed to help!

The Brazilian has now started three games in a row, and Matz Sels is returning from injury for a good price of £4 million if he keeps his spot.

href=”https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/teams/everton” class=”ssrcss-k8mrr8-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0″>Everton, who haven’t scored in three games and could be without their three best attacking players, Iliman Ndiaye, Jack Grealish, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, is Sean Dyche’s team.

Everton (h) vs. Nikola Milenkovic, Nottingham Forest, £5.1 million

Double Forest defense is a worthwhile gamble given Everton’s slump in scoring.

Milenkovic and Murillo, who have almost identical defensive contribution points (defcon) per 90 minutes and cost £0.1 million, barely anything in comparison.

The Serb is given the nod because he shoots more shots and has a better overall scoring record than last year, which makes him eligible.

Manchester United‘s Patrick Dorgu, £4.1 million-woolves (h)

Dorgu, who played out of position (OOP) on the right wing, was a player that stood out if you watched United defeat Newcastle on Boxing Day.

Dorgu could be a gift for FPL managers because they adore OOP players and are keen on paying $4.1 million.

If you have a spare transfer, why not make a punt on him? United are currently down to their bare bones, so don’t expect him to be a long-term asset.

A clean sheet and an attacking return haul are both a possibility given Wolves’ scoring record and the attacking positions Dorgu occupies.

Fulham v. Marc Guehi, Crystal Palace, £5. 2 million

With six attacking returns this year, Guehi has made six starts, and Palace’s defense is always worth supporting away from home against rivals like Fulham, where Alex Iwobi and Samuel Chukwueze have been replaced as Africa Cup of Nations.

Lewis Hall, Newcastle, £5.2m – Burnley (a)

Hall has started six of Newcastle’s previous seven games and has established himself as a key attacking outlet since before getting injured last season.

He has eight shots, five changes, and two significant chances in that span.

He could have scored in their final game against Manchester United by taking numerous risky positions and passing the eye test.

Due to the nature of the game, Cunha wasted too much time defending in the second half, which made him reach for the two-pointer last time at home to Newcastle.

However, the Brazilian had three shots that threatened, and he’s had a league-high 28 shots in each of his five games. With just two goals, he has also struggled with his 2.78 xG.

Add to that eight chances, and Cunha has become a valuable FPL asset.

Cunha gets the captain’s armband because Wolves are getting better but still a tough team to target.

Florian Wirtz, Liverpool, £8.1m – Leeds (h)

For their two home games against Wolves and Leeds, Liverpool should be on the lookout for a team.

Wolves did not perform as we anticipated, but they do now get a second chance against a Leeds side with a nearly identical away record and more goals conceded.

Therefore, it is essentially the same again: Wirtz was impressed and scored his first goal.

Manchester City‘s £6. 7 million acquisition of Rayan Cherki at Sunderland (a)

Cherki has seven assists in his past nine games, which is the combined total in the Premier League this season.

Sunderland have only conceded eight goals away from home, but Leeds created a record-breaking number of chances on Sunday with a 2.03 xG, which makes them want to fancy themselves.

Cherki is much less expensive and potentially just as productive for the rest of the season, despite Phil Foden’s (9 million) still being a viable option.

Chelsea‘s Alejandro Garnacho, £6.4 million (h), is

Garnacho is the name of the game that every team needs.

The Argentine has started for Chelsea’s last four and has been their most dangerous player since.

In that time, he has taken 12 shots, nine of them from the box, three of his best chances, and a 1.03 xG.

Garnacho or Pedro Neto are much less expensive attacking options than Cole Palmer, who looks a little off the pace since his injury return. Rotation is always a possibility.

In his previous seven games, Haaland has recorded four blanks and three totals of 13 points or higher.

He has a difficult time predicting his future, having played shrewd home games against Sunderland and Leeds.

I’m putting the captain’s armband elsewhere because he faces Sunderland away and Arsenal found it difficult at the Stadium of Light.

Hugo Ekitike, Liverpool, £9.1m – Leeds (h)

Ekitike is worth supporting for a second straight home game, much like Wirtz.

Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah, £5.5 million – Bournemouth (h)

Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin for £57 million against Liverpool (a)

Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, £5.7 million (h)

Tommy Freeman hasn’t started a Northampton game outside of center in a while.

He’ll probably not have to wait as long for his next midfield appearance.

Steve Borthwick, England’s coach, has been interested in using Freeman’s 24-year-old bulk, brain, and speed to make use of the teenager’s more conventional wing. Freeman is enthusiastic about the internal shift.

Both will use Phil Dowson’s arm to create more opportunities after his hat-trick against Bath.

Freeman shined in opposition to England’s current first-choice 13 Ollie Lawrence.

His first attempt was made using a running line that was razor-sharp and took three minutes. In the midst of heavy traffic, Joe Cokanasiga’s second was a show-go-and-spin. He ghosted outside Cokanasiga, fixed Santi Carreras, and dived over for his third.

Lawrence spilled forward with the tryline at his feet before nearly missing a Northampton fan’s face as he yelled the ball away in disgrace.

The Saints were fantastic, with the exception of Fin Smith and Alex Mitchell, who were both sidelined for first-choice.

At nine, Callum Chick was omnipresent in the back row, while Archie McParland buzzed waspishly around.

Their ecstatic celebrations were similarly stinging. Freeman and Henry Pollock both motioned for a video review after three attempts were rejected by the television match official.

Exeter finished second from the bottom of the table a year ago, with just one win out of nine matches.

The Chiefs defeated Leicester 24-10 to move up to second in the season’s renaissance at a sold-out Sandy Park.

The Chiefs could have easily gotten a four-try bonus point and the top spot in the year with a needless first-half push from Will Rigg and some slippy late handling from Campbell Ridl and Will Goodrick-Clarke.

Some observers saw Harvey Skinner, who is also Devon-born, as the weak point of an exciting Exeter backline before the season began.

However, the 28-year-old has only missed three Prem games this season and has once more played a key role in pulling strings, tweaking noses, and finding holes.

Reindeer hooves are not what they’re calling when they’re hooves are moving.

In a 36-27 defeat by Bristol at Ashton Gate, Newcastle won the opener of their 2025-26 campaign by scoring four tries.

The visitors took a 10-point lead into the break, were 17-12 up, and only had one more point lead.

Since his December arrival, Stephen Jones, the new attack coach, has paced and shaped their play more.

In his daily role as Scotland’s head coach, Gregor Townsend, an advisor to Red Bull, may find it interesting that wing Oli Spencer, age 21, scored two outstanding tries.

Search it out if you haven’t already seen it.

Tomos Williams, the Gloucester scrum-half, may not have reached the heights he did last season, but his off-load to set up Arthur Clark for a try in the Cherry and Whites’ 30-21 defeat by Saracens was pure off-the-cuff genius.

Williams swooned outside opposite number Ivan van Zyl, who had a touch with Max Malins, who had to turn around before rolling a delicious one-handed basketball pass over Clark.

Kingsholm’s enjoyment of the score, though, was difficult to say.

Saracens had made the announcement that Williams, who is now five points behind Williams in the Prem’s try assist standings, would instead play for them next season on Christmas Day.

The visitors’ social media team, who lean into their pantomime villain status, shared a photo of Williams laughing with fellow British and Irish Lion Jamie George after the final whistle.

Marcus Smith’s first three minutes turned out fairly well.

Luke Northmore scurried into Sale territory with a clever pass, Rodrigo Isgro found on the opposite wing, and a fine opportunism earned him the game’s opening try.

After 80 minutes, his face changed.

Smith had coughed up a horrendous blooper for Sale’s sixth try, failing to gather a routine backfield ball to allow a chasing Raffi Quirke to dot down. Sale was battered, bruised, and well beaten.

A few minutes prior, Smith bravely threw himself into the path of a stampeding Nathan Jibulu with a bang to the head.

As Sale scored 31 second-half points without answers, there were plenty of other tackles to make.

Smith will remain with the Harlequins until 2028, but the team will reorient him.

After a sixth defeat in eight league games, coach Jason Gilmore said, “There is no silver bullet to it; it is what we need to look at with our squad in the near future.”

“We need to look at what we have in store for the squad,” he said. Over the course of the six months of recruitment and retention, we have some options. We require “fighters” in the first place.