What a wacky, wild opening day of Test cricket that was, Perth. Crumbs. Get briefed right here with me, Jim & Cameron for @theathletic.com #Ashes www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...

Came up with this idea while still in England. So much fun digging into how you go from rugby & AFL, to a cricket oval at a glorious new stadium — all while trying to recreate an iconic pitch from the opposite bank of the Swan River... #Ashes @theathletic.com www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...

I've not checked it out but I feel it's pretty likely I've been in an elite group of journalists today who covered the USMNT playing Uruguay (some win that) — and then headed over to Perth Stadium for more #Ashes cricket buildup. What a niche that is, by the way.

History in the making for Australia. Hopefully. Great to hear from Scott Boland at Perth Stadium this lunchtime. Big week ahead... www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...

Nasser Hussain has joined The Athletic as a columnist as part of our coverage of the Ashes, which begin on Friday in Perth. “This series usually defines England captains and coaches, and this one will.” Hussain will return to provide analysis for The Athletic after each Test.

A huge blow for Australia with less than a week to go before the Ashes. Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the first Test in Perth with a hamstring injury. Meanwhile, England have received a positive update on Mark Wood. More from @michaeljbailey.bsky.social ⤵️

NEW POD 🚨 How has the defensive midfield position evolved? Who does it best? Why are they suddenly scoring loads of goals? @zonal-marking.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social & @michaeljbailey.bsky.social discuss. pod.fo/e/3522c8

England’s Ashes preparations in Perth are continuing. With no real confidence in exactly how well…

England fast bowler Mark Wood will undergo a precautionary scan after complaining of stiffness in his left hamstring following his first bowl in a ‘competitive’ match since February. Full story from @michaeljbailey.bsky.social ⬇️

Getting excited about the Ashes? You should be! This is wonderful from Cameron Ponsonby on Ben Stokes' New Zealand heritage and how it formed him. Plenty more where this came from on the way too @theathletic.com … Enjoy! #TheAshes www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...

Norfolk cricket hits @theathletic.com! (Not something I imagined writing a few yrs ago.) Lovely stuff from @nickmiller79.bsky.social on Jake Weatherald — and a pocket of yellow & green in England hoping for at least a slither of Australian magic during the Ashes ... www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...

NEW POD! A guide to the 4-4-2 formation. Strengths 💪 Weaknesses 😐 With @zonal-marking.bsky.social, @markcarey93.bsky.social, @liamtharme.bsky.social & @michaeljbailey.bsky.social pod.fo/e/342dc6

Looking a bit English in Perth 😂

Obviously the Dodgers are good but deary me, that was weak from Milwaukee. Back to the soccer, guys! Bit of work to get on with there by the looks of it. 🫣

NEW POD 🚨 @zonal-marking.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social & @markcarey93.bsky.social join @michaeljbailey.bsky.social to chat star players and their value. So is it system first, or stars first? 🤔 pod.fo/e/33e8b2

NEW POD 🚨 Has Pep Guardiola really changed, or was the match against Arsenal an anomaly? @zonal-marking.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social join @michaeljbailey.bsky.social to discuss! pod.fo/e/3318c0

On tomorrow's pod we'll be asking if Pep Guardiola has actually changed Man City's approach this season. How different does this City team look compared to 2016-17? Send your questions for the panel!

NEW POD 🚨 Why has this Premier League season started so slowly? @zonal-marking.bsky.social, @liamtharme.bsky.social & @markcarey93.bsky.social join @michaeljbailey.bsky.social to discuss. pod.fo/e/32cff1

NEW MAILBAG POD 🚨 @michaeljbailey.bsky.social @zonal-marking.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social & @markcarey93.bsky.social answer your questions on... - Maverick players - Donnarumma to City - Are Arsenal too cautious? & much, much more! pod.fo/e/328a93

Send in your questions for @theathleticfc.bsky.social Tactics Podcast special mailbag episode! What trend, team, or player has caught your eye from the season so far? Or are there any tactical/data questions you would like us to address? Let us know below! www.nytimes.com/athletic/660...

NEW POD! 🚨 We take on... Why Amorim's Man United system isn't working. With @michaeljbailey.bsky.social @michaeljbailey.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social Enjoy! pod.fo/e/324da2

Love this — and so much of what @jacobwhitehead.bsky.social produced while following this year's @le-tourdefrance.bsky.social for @theathletic.com. Enjoy it. www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...

Thames barge sails on the Blackwater. Beautiful. You should visit bargetrust.org to find out about the incredible vessels — and know that Chris is a superstar skipper. X

Episode two of Football Architects is LIVE! This part focuses on the rise of Belgium to No.1 in the world. Featuring @michaeljbailey.bsky.social @jacobwhitehead.bsky.social & @liamtharme.bsky.social pod.fo/e/2f8cce

New one for all you sports socialites! youtu.be/ZFzFd7FN0sc?...

Fresh from a busy weekend — includes Bocelli, an apology and turf doctors... LET'S GET SOCIAL. youtu.be/cPujJN3lpeU

Mini-golf, Australia style. #mindthesnakes

Snuck in a little sports social from Perth's CBD. Hope you enjoy the tour... youtu.be/9s6FavRFIAY

Fair play to Jon Rowe — the boy loves a big moment, and he's pretty good at them. Eye-catching stuff from England U21s again. 👇 www.nytimes.com/athletic/645...

New social! Hooked on the fun and fallout from Game 7 of the NBA Finals... youtu.be/07Cm94qJWHo

New social time! youtu.be/NrVHYPDOw3g?...

Those who know me will appreciate how big a moment this was 😂 Finally reunited with my clubs last month, and the first time I’ve managed to swing them in anger since November. One day, I might even get to play around Joondalup — it looked spectacular. And yes, that was one of the few good shots 🥴

Monday’s Sports Social! Let’s go… 🏎️ F1, Canada & Lando 🌎 Club World Cup, Messi & Suarez ⛳️ JJ Spaun’s beautiful US Open in Enjoy! youtu.be/7C6Viy5eg_U?...

Trying something new. youtu.be/bOxDJ-dPfyQ?...

FINAL CALL FOR MAILBAG QUESTIONS 📬 Our final episode of the season is almost upon us, so please send in your last minute mailbag questions for us! @michaeljbailey.bsky.social @zonal-marking.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social

NEW POD 🚨 It's time for our Alternative Premier League Team of The Season episode. With @michaeljbailey.bsky.social, @zonal-marking.bsky.social, @liamtharme.bsky.social & @markcarey93.bsky.social Enjoy! pod.fo/e/2d9269

I also had a go at this. Hopefully my XI has a good coach...

Tomorrow the Tactics pod brings you a classic: Alternative Team of The Season! One player from every club in the bottom half of the table plus one wildcard - send us your suggestions below 👇

It's free practice Friday at Imola. Join us for full live coverage with @lukesmithf1.bsky.social trackside and loads of updates from across the paddock, over at @theathletic.bsky.social Should be fun, this... #F1 www.nytimes.com/athletic/liv...

The Champions League tactical reviews continue. Liam and Mark in excellent form here. Give it a listen!

you're welcome

Best attacking midfielder Italia never had.

Hello! Worth the wait awhile?

NEW POD! A deep dive into French footballing identity and why there are hardly any French coaches in the top leagues. With @michaeljbailey.bsky.social @zonal-marking.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social & special guest @tomwfootball.bsky.social pod.fo/e/2c6149

Norwich, I love you. Now then, time for an adventure…

NEW POD! It's Champions League review/preview time. We look at the RO16 results and ahead to the quarters. With @michaeljbailey.bsky.social @zonal-marking.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social & @markcarey93.bsky.social pod.fo/e/2b827a

NEW POD! Talking set pieces are @michaeljbailey.bsky.social @zonal-marking.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social & @liamtharme.bsky.social Also... @podonthetyne.bsky.social we've answered your question too! pod.fo/e/2b575c

@edcouzenslake.bsky.social @mickdennis.bsky.social @michaeljbailey.bsky.social @bryansgunn.bsky.social @garygowers.bsky.social @labourlewis.bsky.social Foodbank Collection Tuesday before the game All re posts, mentions, plugs etc greatly appreciated ⚽️💛💚👍 👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇

A power outage at Bahrain means we have no cars out on the circuit. Luckily for you, @michaeljbailey.bsky.social is keeping the entertainment going with our live blog. 🔗 bit.ly/4igoRet

THIRD ATTEMPT AT POSTING THE LINK FOR THE POD 😀 NEW POD!🚨 @michaeljbailey.bsky.social, @zonal-marking.bsky.social, @markcarey93.bsky.social, @liamtharme.bsky.social chat centre-backs! Who are the best and how important are partnerships? pod.fo/e/2a9556