Cricket

He’s the man who England’s Bazball approach is named after, but Brendon McCullum is set to lose his job as coach if the Poms suffer a heavy series defeat, according to Aussie cricket great Ian Healy.

MITCHELL JOHNSON: Ben Stokes, and England, need to get some runs on the board — and maybe a Test win — before sledging their own greats as their hubris was clearly their undoing in the first Test.

The Optus Stadium pitch played no part in Perth’s Test match lasting just two days, according to the ICC, with the deck given the highest-possible rating by the match referee.

‘If I hear it once more, I think I’ll throw something at the television.’

One of Australia’s greatest Ashes foes has credited a stint he spent playing in the country as a teenager as hugely formative for the legendary career he would go on to forge.

Under-fire veteran Usman Khawaja still has what it takes in the Ashes, according to the man most likely to benefit from his demise.

DANE ELDRIDGE: There is nothing a Kiwi hates more than admitting an Australian is right, but Brendon McCullum’s refusal to see the writing on the wall is beyond the pale.

England skipper Ben Stokes says his focus is purely on bouncing back in Brisbane as the tourists bade a sorry farewell to their disappointing time in Perth.

The Poms might have better luck at the pro-am Usman Khawaja has pulled out of than they do on the cricket pitch, given the rounds of golf these guys like playing.

LISA STHALEKAR: Travis Head’s heroics should signal the end of Usman Khawaja’s Test career and he only has himself to blame.

Despite their humbling inside two days in Perth, England have elected not to give their stars more competitive match practice in a long gap between Tests in a move decried by a former captain as “amatuerish”.

Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins were putting on brave faces as they trained together today with the Aussie skipper revealing his hand on when he plans to next play.

Ricky Ponting has lifted the lid on why Australia lost their first series in 20 years, as he also detailed one of his greatest cricketing regrets.

The under-fire veteran has taken aim but not everyone sees the funny side.

EDITORIAL: It was bewilderingly bad, brainless cricket. The good news is, it’s over for now.