England, please be competitive. The Ashes’ claim to the greatest rivalry depends on it | Jack Snape

<p>In Tests played in Australia, the much-hyped series has been less flat out than just flat for more than a decade. Does a better cricket rivalry lie elsewhere?</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/ng-interactive/2025/nov/11/100-greatest-mens-ashes-cricketers">The 100 greatest men’s Ashes cricketers of all time</a></p></li></ul><p>Don Bradman was the subject of the first adult book I remember reading. In the mind of a primary school student, the injustice of an English captain ordering his countrymen to hurt a brilliant Australian was unfathomable. And so, like many, I came to hate England.</p><p>Anticipation for the Ashes? It goes without saying. Cricket’s calendar makes this a rare treat to watch two of the world’s best teams test and taunt and tease each other for what we hope will be 25 days of interrogation with the red Kookaburra.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/nov/17/england-please-be-competitive-the-ashes-claim-to-the-greatest-rivalry-depends-on-it">Continue reading...</a>