Australia 2025

Day 34 - Third test, Day Five

I'm amazed that we have actually this far but here we are with the Barmy Army requiring 450 off to win. Would history be made?

As we had run out of breakfast stuff, it was over the road to the local cafe for bacon, egg and sausage.

It had actually been raining but it is still warm. The optimism is that if it does rain it might at least be a draw so deferring the Ashes destiny to Melbourne. As it's the last day, we can sit anywhere in the ground that the members aren't in so we opt for third man near the hill where the BA are congregated.

4 wickets left and it's all to play for as Smith and Jacks put on a steady 80 and then calamity as Smith chips out to mid-off and that effectively seals the game in Australia's favour. "It's the hope that kills you" never rings more true here.

We watch Stokes lead the team to the Barmy Army to clap and then we trudge back to the hotel and hit the gym.

There will be lots of recriminations now both here and back home. Some players such a Duckett, Pope, and Brook have just looked overwhelmed here whilst some players such as Archer have really stepped up. Others have found their way such as Smith and Crawley. Carse was too expensive but bowled like a lion, Tongue wasn't brought in early enough and Jacks was a makeshift spinner as we lack a really good one you need over here.

Anyway, we are checked in for our flight tomorrow night so there's stuff to be done. I'll be sad to leave that's for sure. Australia sure has been an brilliant experience.