Charity dinner tickets available now:

When Rob Key reviews Rob Key’s work it’ll be interesting to know what he thinks of Rob Key saying ‘There wasn’t any formal action taken’ over Wellington incident. And ‘we’ve had 4 years with none of these issues’.

Wrote this about, basically, what on earth is going on at Middlesex:

"There is a painful irony that, only months after the future of the first-class counties was seemingly safeguarded for a generation, two of them have slipped into serious trouble" | @georgedobell.bsky.social READ HERE → tinyurl.com/m5y29w4x

"It seems fair to conclude that, without him, the selection panel's relationship with county cricket has grown even more distant" | @georgedobell.bsky.social READ HERE → tinyurl.com/2kjjpjsf

What is the state of play for English spin? In a piece split over two parts, a group of current and former county spinners, speaking anonymously, provide a revealing look into the challenges and realities of their role | @nickfriend.bsky.social READ HERE 🔗 tinyurl.com/ye2x7p4p

Sussex Men change tack with surprise captaincy change | ✒️ @huwzat.bsky.social

"By the end of the Ashes, the environment didn't look high-performance or as if anyone was enjoying it that much" | ✍️ @georgedobell.bsky.social READ HERE → tinyurl.com/wwx7sdns

England react to Ashes defeat with belated reappointment | @georgedobell.bsky.social

England's post-Ashes inquiry: How it will work, who is in charge and what we should expect | The Cricketer www.thecricketer.com/Topics/engla...

England's post-Ashes inquiry: How it will work, who is in charge and what we should expect | The Cricketer url:https://www.thecricketer.com/Topics/england-premium/england_post-ashes_inquiry_work_charge_expect.html?t=639040650259910179

"One of the delights of attending Ashes Tests is seeing the faces of all the characters who have shaped games in the past" | ✒️ @georgedobell.bsky.social

England's T20 World Cup preparations disrupted by double visa delay | @georgedobell.bsky.social

The ECB have reached an agreement with Cricket Australia to ensure better preparation ahead of future Ashes series | @georgedobell.bsky.social

England firm up 2029-30 Ashes warmup plans as response to disastrous series begins | The Cricketer url:https://www.thecricketer.com/Topics/england-premium/england_202930_ashes_warmup_plans_response_disastrous_series.html?t=639039180266336956

"Brendon McCullum's future as England coach looks more precarious than ever after he appeared reluctant to accept the need for any meaningful change in his approach" | ✍️ @georgedobell.bsky.social READ HERE → tinyurl.com/3kd55d32

Genuine thanks to everyone who's asked a question or watched these. Sometimes those questions were so good they made me think about things differently. Thanks for the humour and encouragement, too. I think we both feel lucky to get to do this stuff:

"If they want to be be world-beaters, they've got to be brave enough to make some fundamental, systemic changes" 💬 🎙️ @georgedobell.bsky.social 🎙️ @melindafarrell.bsky.social WATCH HERE ➡️ youtu.be/zoTytGVN1FE #AskGeorge | #Ashes

"I have reflected on the lessons" 💬 Harry Brook issues statement after disclosure of late-night bouncer clash | @georgedobell.bsky.social

"Remember, the management team had the best part of four years to prepare for this tour; but all too often, they looked as if they were making plans on the hoof" | @georgedobell.bsky.social

England's four-year plan ends where it so often does: in Sydney, as a failed, ill-prepared regime: www.thecricketer.com/Topics/ashes...

For the final time in this Ashes series, let's have your questions... #AskGeorge | #Ashes pic.x.com/tRj1nkv62e

Judging from warm-ups, Stokes is going to be at first slip today. For the seamers, at least.

"Why is the most inexperienced player exhibiting the most resilience?" 🤔 🎙️ @georgedobell.bsky.social 🎙️ @melindafarrell.bsky.social WATCH HERE 👉 youtu.be/25CXMtIeKwU #AskGeorge | #Ashes

Jacob Bethell combines technique and temperament to give England some hope for the future | ✍️ @georgedobell.bsky.social

Bethell has currently scored more runs in the series than Jake Weatherald, Cameron Green or Ben Stokes.

We're going to see so many more of these... (Bethell 100s, that is)

Bethell has only scored more than this (he's on 76) twice in fc cricket. 93 v Notts and 96 v NZ. Both in 2024.

England camp: Ben Stokes is currently being assessed for a right abductor complaint. We will provide an update when more information is available.

"Will England bat out time to salvage a draw? Can they?" 🤔 🎙️ @melindafarrell.bsky.social 🎙️ @georgedobell.bsky.social WATCH HERE 🤳 youtu.be/IZ1UvTNCkkg #AskGeorge | #Ashes

"There was very little evidence on offer here, either with the bowling or the fielding, to suggest that this management team is taking England in the right direction" | ✍️ @georgedobell.bsky.social

'If anything, we've been too accurate':

Bless you:

When Root and Smith were batting yesterday, I suddenly recalled Graham Gooch's infamous words in 1986. You know. World XI at one end, Ilford 3rd XI at the other. Here's a puzzle dedicated to the Ilford 3s. 😇😀 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @guerillacricket.bsky.social

"Describe Jamie Smith's dismissal in five words" 💬 🎙️ @georgedobell.bsky.social 🎙️ @melindafarrell.bsky.social WATCH HERE 👉 youtu.be/nA-cjMBaej0 #AskGeorge

"It looked, for a moment, like a goodbye. "It looked as if Joe Root, now aged 35, was taking one last look at this grand old ground, soaking it up and paying his respects" | ✍️ @georgedobell.bsky.social

this is today's first piece: Jamie Smith's horrid shot shows the need for a change in England's no-consequence culture

"It's not easy to describe how bad Jamie Smith's dismissal at the SCG was" | ✍️ @georgedobell.bsky.social

Alrighty then, let's have your questions for @georgedobell.bsky.social & @melindafarrell.bsky.social 💬 #AskGeorge | #Ashes

That pitch map for boundaries... it's like someone sneezed.

Here's a puzzle for late-night test match listeners. Who's missing from this group of not-so-merry men? 🏏🦆😀 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @wisdencricket.bsky.social @acscricket.bsky.social @zaltzcricket.bsky.social

Mentions for Bruce Willis and Kevin Keegan in this one... 🎙️ @georgedobell.bsky.social 🎙️ @melindafarrell.bsky.social WATCH ➡️ youtu.be/7ASBUKLoRTk #AskGeorge | #Ashes

Having allowed the Ashes to pass him by, fortune finally favours Harry Brook | ✍️ @georgedobell.bsky.social

The SCG Ashes test has seen many dramatic moments over the years. This time, I'll consider it a success if I get to three crossword puzzles. Here's one in memory of those who didn't quite make it. Have a good'un everyone. 🏏😎 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social

Will Jacks warming up with bowlers; Shoaib Bashir playing football with Ollie Pope. I think you can draw your own conclusions.

England name uncapped Ashes star in provisional T20 World Cup squad | ✍️ @georgedobell.bsky.social

Gus Atkinson has been ruled out of the final Test due to that hamstring injury we saw in Melbourne. He's the 3rd seamer from the XI which played the first Test to succumb to injury. England aren't calling anyone else up to the squad.

"In terms of the playing group, we're absolutely committed to the management. They’ve been outstanding." Joe Root has thrown his support behind the England team management | @georgedobell.bsky.social

Ben Stokes has paid tribute to his top-order batters after England achieved what he believes was one of the "sweetest" run-chases in his era as captain | @georgedobell.bsky.social

England find belated character to end painful wait for victory and give supporters result they deserve | ✍️ @georgedobell.bsky.social #Ashes