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

'I'd like to book 16 rooms for a 3-night break in Noosa, please.'

The run-rate shouldn't be an issue...

Smith raises his bat to celebrate his not out...

Keeper and slips have been too deep for England a lot of late (very much not meant in the sense that they spend their evenings discussing Nietzsche and Descartes).

Having had 4 sessions to look at this pitch, it's pretty obvious Somerset should be penalised.

From England camp: "England seamer Gus Atkinson left the field after bowling his fifth over of the innings, having felt some soreness in his left hamstring. He will be assessed over the next few hours." Not from Eng camp: be amazed if we see him again this series.

Centenary test vibes at the MCG. Or, as the MD would say: "We under-over-prepared, maybe, or another thing, I dunno, 20 percent, or something, my vocabulary isn't great, don't bash the pope" 🫢🤔🏏 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @liebcricket.com @davidkhopps.bsky.social

Right now, in the England dressing rooms, Gus Atkinson is being assessed. Brendon McCullum is leaning over and suggesting to the physio 'have you tried more cowbell?'

"What do you make of this pitch?" 🤔 🎙️ @georgedobell.bsky.social 🎙️ @melindafarrell.bsky.social WATCH ➡️ youtu.be/y3rgpQ74Aig #AskGeorge | #Ashes

On the bright side... they should make happy hour.

The greatest innings ever played in a boxing day test match at the MCG was Alan Mullally's 16 in 1998. Discuss. A puzzle below to consider whilst you draft your discussion papers. Festive cheers to one and all! 😎🦆🏏🎅 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social

Here’s my preview of the MCG Test:

Here’s my preview of the MCG Test:

"As those ghosts of Christmas past remind us, there won't be much peace and goodwill on the pitch over the next few days" | ✍️ @georgedobell.bsky.social

England have made two changes to their XI for the fourth Test against Australia at the MCG | @georgedobell.bsky.social #Ashes

It just gets worse: Jofra Archer is out of the Ashes tour with a side strain. In his place, England have recalled Gus Atkinson for the 4th Test. They've also dropped Ollie Pope. Jacob Bethell replaces him. There are no other changes.

"Maybe he really should gather his belongings, follow directions from staff and make his way quietly and calmly to the nearest exit":

"In attempting to explain away England's defeats, Rob Key was interrupted by a very loud announcement repeated multiple times. In every sense you wanted to look at it, alarm bells were sounding" | @georgedobell.bsky.social

➖ McCullum ➖ Specialist coaches ➖ Preparation Rob Key explains where England's Ashes campaign went wrong, and what the future holds | @georgedobell.bsky.social

‘One glass of wine over dinner’:

"If they're drinking lots and it's a stag do, that's completely unacceptable." 💬 Rob Key reponds to Noosa drinking reports | ✍️ @georgedobell.bsky.social

This was today’s main piece:

"Nothing's changed" 💬 Ben Stokes makes future captaincy intentions clear | @georgedobell.bsky.social

"They've just lost their fourth Test in succession. And their 13th in 25. They've won one series in four. They've lost the Ashes in 11 days of cricket." Second-best in all departments, England's failure to prepare prepares them to fail | @georgedobell.bsky.social

"English cricket tolerates mediocrity" 💬 🎙️ @georgedobell.bsky.social 🎙️ @melindafarrell.bsky.social WATCH ➡️ youtu.be/8Pc_9Dgp59s #AskGeorge | #Ashes

"He's another batter who has seen this series - the sort of series which can define a career - sweep by him without making a significant impact. "With better advice, in a more sophisticated regime, it could have been so much better" | @georgedobell.bsky.social

It speaks volumes for England's performance this week that, for a third day in succession, media duties were fulfilled by a member of the backroom staff | @georgedobell.bsky.social

"The short-term lure of financial gain is tough for administrators to ignore. Until they can see the bigger picture, England are going to keep paying for this Achilles heel" | ✍️ @georgedobell.bsky.social

A homage below to the famous "test of many three-fors". A rare historic time when the English team arrived in Adelaide with a lead and hammered it home. Also a time when players were more anagramable! 😇😍🏏 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @zaltzcricket.bsky.social

"Can you think of anything that's improved? What's improved? They hype?" 🎙️ @georgedobell.bsky.social 🎙️ @melindafarrell.bsky.social WATCH ➡️ youtu.be/XyoFHCu3dP0 #AskGeorge | #Ashes

"Maybe, in years to come, this will be remembered as the day the Key-McCullum-Stokes regime reached its tipping point" | ✍️ @georgedobell.bsky.social

England review reinstated after controversial Alex Carey decision | ✍️ @georgedobell.bsky.social

England have had their review reinstated after it was accepted all round that Snicko didn't work for the Alex Carey appeal.

Six wickets in one day fall to legside catches at Adelaide! I can't help but to recall a horrible pre-lunch moment in 1991 and the silliness which preceded it. Here's to a good day's night. 🏏😁 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @melindafarrell.bsky.social

Here’s today’s #AskGeorge featuring more cowbell and a very hot Melinda. Which COULD be meant as a compliment.

"If England can use the new ball to cut through the tail quickly on the second day and then bat deep into the third day, they will be a good position to win this match. They really couldn't wish for a better opportunity" | ✍️ @georgedobell.bsky.social READ HERE 🔗 tinyurl.com/2b9pt43a

Interesting:

"We want these series to be hard fought, but we also want to give ourselves both opportunities to be the best prepared we can be in a schedule that’s so hard and so tight, so helping each other makes perfect sense." 🗨️ Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg speaks to @georgedobell.bsky.social

I yearn for the days when English medium pacers were outgunned by fiery Australian quicks. Vice versa is much more depressing. A puzzle below in homage to some hapless dibbly-dobblies of yesteryear. Enjoy the game, if you dare! 🏏 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social

"It all feels as if, under pressure, rather a lot has changed" | ✍️ @georgedobell.bsky.social #Ashes

"We are in a situation here where we know we need to win three games." Ben Stokes admits the third Test in Adelaide is the "most important game" in his tenure as captain | @georgedobell.bsky.social

Ben Stokes has asked his team to show "a bit of dog" as they strive to sustain their Ashes dream | ✍️ @georgedobell.bsky.social READ 🔗 tinyurl.com/yua634bt

Harry Brook has admitted he may need to "rein it in a little bit" in what he sees as a "crunch" Test in Australia | @georgedobell.bsky.social READ HERE ➡️ tinyurl.com/pnd5hwh9

Adelaide not Perth. Sorry.

Josh Tongue has replaced Gus Atkinson in the England side for the third Test in Perth. That’s the only change.

"I certainly don't coach to protect the job. I coach to get the best out of people, and that's the same with the skipper." Brendon McCullum warns "two-nil can become five-nil real quick" | ✍️ @georgedobell.bsky.social