With their five wicket defeat in Sydney, England's Ashes tour ended in abject failure. A failure of planning, of selection, of execution and often of basic cricketing skills, in contrast to the man of the series - Mitchell Starc - who was immense throughout. The series was a huge disappointment to all the committed England fans and infact to Australians too, eager for a serious and sustained contest. Simon Hughes, Simon Mann and Ricky Ponting analyse where it all went wrong and what is to be done about it. They also consider players off-field behaviour after more embarrassing stories in the press about late-night disorderliness. It has been a wretched tour from a playing point of view. It is to be hoped that the players learn from the original school of hard knocks and come back stronger and better. This podcast is sponsored by Nord VPN. EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/aic Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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Jacob Bethell has been earmarked for great things on sparse evidence. At the SCG he demonstrated what all the fuss has been about with an innings of great composure, skill and class to record a memorable first century in both first class and Test cricket. He maturely held England's fragile innings together to give them a very faint chance of victory on the last day of the tour. Simon Hughes, Simon Mann and Justin Langer offer their appreciation of an exceptional performance that promises a stunning future.

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A debilitating and demoralising day for England in Sydney. Travis Head flays the bowling to record his 600th run in the series and then Steve Smith exploits tired bodies and minds to make his 37th Test hundred. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann report and Glenn McGrath joins in to analyse why England can't maintain control with the ball.

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Apart from a superb 41st Test century by Joe Root, another dispiriting day for England at the SCG as the batters didn't make the most of winning the toss and the bowlers couldn't sustain control. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann reflect on a day when at least the Barmy Army kept the home fires burning.

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The first truly contested day in the Ashes is cruelly terminated by absurd weather rules in Sydney. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann report on an enterprising day by England dashed by ridiculous protocol and inflexible laws depriving 50,000 spectators of half a day's play. They also hear from Harry Borrk who is 78 not out overnight. EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal - https://nordvpn.com/aic Try it risk free now with a 30-day money-back guarentee

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Simon Hughes and Simon Mann preview the final Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground and hear from Ben Stokes who is on a mission to finish a difficult tour on a high despite admitting being unable to read how the pitch will play.

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Ashes Question Time: simon Hughes and Simon Mann field your comments and questions post the two-day MCG fiasco. Including - who should bat 3 for England, which should bowlers should play in Sydney now Gus Atkinson is also ruled out, what repercussions should there be post the tour and should the teams have played an exhibition match following the two-day Test? For our special deal on the Nord VPN subscription visit nordvpn.com/aic

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Simon Hughes and Simon Mann reflect on England's first Test victory in Australia since January 7th 2011. This was a remarkable and rather unsatisfactory Test which lasted barely a day and a half on an MCG pitch which had a bit too much help for the seam bowlers but on which no batter was prepared to be patient. An impressive opening stand between Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett showed up some rather hapless Australian batting, and the youngster Jacob Bethell made a crucial 40 in a tricky runchase. At last 10,000 English fans have an England victory to celebrate though Cricket Australia will bemoan major revenue losses. This podcast is sponsored by Nord VPN - go to NORDVPN.COM/AIC for your special deal.

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Simon Hughes and Simon Mann review an extraordinary day's play at the MCG where the groundsman and the batsmen gifted the bowlers 20 wickets. A helpful Melbourne pitch was well exploited by both team's seam bowlers - especially England's Josh Tongue - confronted with batsmen who didn't seem to want to hang about too long. This is a game on fast forward. They also discuss the state of England's team and the apparent drinking culture may have begun to reinfluence English cricket. This episode is sponsored by Nord VPN. To get the best discount off your NordVPN plan go to nordvpn.com/aic

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Despite a plucky seventh wicket stand between Will Jacks and Jamie Smith, the Aussies clinched their coveted prize in mid afternoon and celebrated in appropriate style. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann analyse waht went right for Australia and wrong for England and hear Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum offer their explanations too. And we hear what our listeners think too. Don't forget to follow our Substack blog at the Cricverse - https://cricverse.substack.com/p/headmaster?r=lo2wd

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