The Cricketer Podcast - Series 1, Episode 8: Australia retain The Ashes

LISTEN: GEORGE DOBELL and JONATHAN TROTT reflect on a washed-out 4th Test at Old Trafford that results in Australia retaining The Ashes, but Philip's quiz is very much not hampered by weather

So that's that then. With the weather putting an end to England's quest for the Ashes for another year, Jonathan Trott and George Dobell are in reflective mood.

"Over the course of the series, are we not in danger of forgetting the mistakes at Edgbaston, some of the batting at Lord's, the dropped catches, the no balls?" asks George, looking at the bigger picture of this series beyond England's "best and most mature performance" at Manchester.

Jonny Bairstow's post-match comments about his readiness to keep wicket are debated, and Trotty recalls playing with and coaching Zak Crawley during the Kent man's younger years.

"The talent is there. The natural hand-eye coordination and the strokes. It's now about him learning his game - and it's quite tough learning his game at Test level.

"He was put in that position from an early age and you wouldn't say his first-class stats stack up to somebody who should be knocking on the door of international cricket. But the talent and the ability to play an innings that takes the game away from the opposition is why he's selected."

They also consider a changing of the guard for an ageing England XI ahead of a tough tour ahead in India, and photographer Philip Brown quizzes the pair on Ashes averages.

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