England cricket fans have had plenty to cheer and debate about as the Test season heads into a dramatic phase, with recent matches at Lord's and the Ashes series opener providing both dazzling highs and sobering lows. Ben Stokes, the indefatigable England captain, summed it up best after a grueling Test against India at Lord's: "I'm pretty cooked," he admitted, having bowled 44 overs across the match and led his side to a thrilling 22-run victory in front of a packed stadium. Stokes' monumental effort, especially on the final day, earned him the Player of the Match award and further cemented his status as one of England's modern greats.
England's victory over India was anything but straightforward. With the game on the line on day five, Stokes delivered two crucial spells—first removing KL Rahul after a 9.2-over burst in the morning, then returning for another 10 overs before tea to finally break the resistance of Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah, batting alongside Ravindra Jadeja, put on 35 runs for the ninth wicket in a partnership that lasted a nerve-wracking 22 overs. The tension was palpable as every ball brought England closer to victory or India within reach of a famous chase.
The decisive moment came courtesy of Shoaib Bashir, who, despite nursing a fractured finger sustained just two days prior, returned to bowl the final over of the match. With steely resolve, Bashir induced Mohammed Siraj to defend a ball into the ground, only for it to bounce back onto the stumps—sparking wild celebrations among the England players and fans. Jadeja, left stranded on 61 off 181 balls, could only watch as his valiant effort fell just short.
Stokes was quick to praise Bashir's courage: "He showed courage to go out there and bat at the end for us (in the second innings). And the willingness to sit on the bench and wait for his moment to come and bowl just proves how much it means to everyone who gets the opportunity to put the shirt on that not even a couple of breaks will stop you. What an amazing feeling for him." Unfortunately, Bashir's fractured finger means he will miss the remainder of the series, with England set to announce their squad for the crucial fourth Test at Old Trafford in the coming days.
The Lord's Test had added poignancy as it fell exactly six years to the day since England's unforgettable 2019 World Cup victory at the same venue. Drawing inspiration from that triumph, Stokes opened the bowling alongside Jofra Archer—who was making his first Test appearance since 2021. Archer made an immediate impact, dismissing Rishabh Pant and Washington Sundar to put England firmly in control. "We knew that (it was exactly six years) turning up in the morning and that was genuinely the reason why we went with me and Jof," Stokes revealed. "It felt right in my tummy that Jof was going to do something to break the game open."
On the other side, India captain Shubman Gill maintained a positive outlook despite the defeat, stating he was "extremely proud" of his team's effort. However, Gill remained tight-lipped about Jasprit Bumrah's availability for the next Test in Manchester, with the series hanging in the balance. Bumrah had previously indicated he would only be fit for three Tests, and having already played two—both ending in losses for India—his participation remains uncertain as the teams prepare for the decisive matches ahead.
While England savored their hard-fought win, fans and pundits have also been reflecting on the team's batting fortunes—particularly in the Ashes. Zak Crawley, who often finds himself under the microscope, has experienced both acclaim and criticism. Despite being the second leading run-scorer for England in 2023 with 480 runs at an average of 53.33 and a strike rate of 88.72, Crawley recently endured the ignominy of a pair (two ducks in a match) in the Ashes series opener against Australia. This feat, while rare, places him in the company of several notable English cricketers who have suffered similar fates in Ashes history.
The mid-Ashes break has provided an opportunity to look back at some of the most memorable "ducking" performances by English batsmen. Mike Atherton, Dennis Amiss, John Crawley, Graham Gooch, Trevor Bailey, Jonny Bairstow, Sir Ian Botham, Bobby Peel, Fred Grace, and Alan Mullally all feature in the pantheon of players with multiple ducks or pairs against Australia. Some, like Amiss and Atherton, even captained the side while enduring these slumps, highlighting the relentless pressure of the Ashes stage.
Statistics can be both cruel and revealing. For instance, Mike Atherton finished his career with 20 ducks in 66 Ashes innings, while Dennis Amiss notched up seven ducks in just 21 Ashes innings, including two pairs. Even legends like Sir Ian Botham and Graham Gooch are not immune, each recording pairs in high-stakes series openers. These historical quirks remind fans that even the greatest players have their off days, and that cricket's rich tapestry is woven with both triumph and adversity.
Amid the nostalgia and analysis, England's preparations for the next phase of the Ashes continue apace. The England Cricket Board announced that Jacob Bethell, Matthew Potts, and Josh Tongue have been selected to play a day-night warmup match against the Australian Prime Minister's XI in Canberra, starting Saturday, November 29, 2025. These three did not feature in England's recent eight-wicket defeat in Perth—a match that ended as the shortest Ashes Test by overs bowled to yield a result since 1888. The upcoming two-day fixture, played with a pink ball under lights, offers a valuable opportunity for fringe players to impress ahead of the second Ashes Test.
Australia, meanwhile, head into the Brisbane Test with considerable confidence, having won 13 of their 14 day-night Tests, including all three against England. This formidable record under lights adds another layer of intrigue as the Ashes resumes, with England seeking to rebound from their Perth setback and reclaim momentum in the series.
As the cricketing world awaits the squad announcement for Old Trafford and the outcome of the warmup match in Canberra, questions linger over injuries, team selection, and the psychological toll of recent results. Will Stokes' heroics inspire another famous England comeback? Can Crawley and his fellow batsmen overcome their recent duck troubles? And will Australia maintain their dominance under the lights?
For now, England can bask in the glow of a famous Lord's victory, even as the challenges of the Ashes and a determined Indian side loom large. The road ahead promises drama, tension, and—if recent history is any guide—plenty of surprises.
