A controversial social media post from the now-cancelled Australian show The Project has ignited significant backlash among cricket fans. The post, which suggested that Australians refrain from discussing cricket for the remainder of the summer, was shared shortly after Australia secured a decisive 3-0 series victory against England in the Ashes series. This win guarantees that the coveted Ashes Urn remains in Australian hands for the fifth consecutive series.
With the English cricket team struggling to keep pace, the hype surrounding their Ashes campaign has dissipated. Public comments from players, including claims that Australia was “rattled by Bazball,” have only added to the ridicule faced by the team. Even prominent commentator Piers Morgan has admitted defeat, while also voicing his grievances about Australian fans mocking him in London.
As attention shifts to the upcoming Boxing Day Test, Australia is expected to make significant changes to its lineup. Star player Pat Cummins will be resting, and Nathan Lyon is sidelined due to a hamstring injury. In contrast, Steve Smith is anticipated to return after dealing with vertigo.
The social media post from The Project, which included an image reading, “Now Australia has won the Ashes, can we not talk about cricket for the rest of the summer? Thanks in advance,” quickly drew criticism from fans. The caption further stated, “Time to Christmas without any small talk. Thanks x.” Despite the show’s cancellation by Channel 10 in June, its social media accounts have remained active, but this particular post failed to resonate positively with the audience.
Reactions from various commentators highlight the dissatisfaction. Host of the Today Show and Triple M, Dan Anstey, remarked, “5-0 awaits, it’s what @piersmorgan requested.” The popular cricket account CricBlog simply replied, “Um, no,” while journalist Caleb Bond noted, “This is why the show was cancelled.”
ABC Sport’s official account reposted the controversial image with a cheeky reference to a heated moment between Steve Smith and England bowler Jofra Archer during the second Test. One user commented, “England still has more life than your show, by the way,” while another expressed disbelief, asking, “Genuinely how did you people think this tweet would be received? About as tone deaf as the rest of your show.”
Since its inception in 2009, The Project has seen various hosts, including Charlie Pickering, Carrie Bickmore, and Dave Hughes. The show was ultimately cancelled in June and replaced by 10 News+, a new program that has struggled to capture viewer interest.
Despite the negativity surrounding the show, cricket enthusiasts in Australia remain focused on the possibility of a 5-0 series sweep, which would mark the third Ashes whitewash this century. The English team has not won a Test match in Australia since the 2010-11 series and has failed to secure victory in their last 18 Tests played Down Under.
With England determined to salvage their reputation, the upcoming matches are crucial for both teams. Cummins, who has been a key player with six wickets in the Adelaide Test, is now ruled out for the remainder of the Ashes series. His participation in the T20 World Cup next year remains uncertain.
In the meantime, Josh Hazlewood, who suffered an injury during the Ashes, is hastening his recovery to be fit for the limited-overs tournament. Jhye Richardson has joined the squad for the fourth Test and is a strong candidate to replace Cummins, marking his first Test appearance in four years. Other potential replacements include Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett, while Todd Murphy is expected to step in for Lyon.
As the cricketing world watches closely, all eyes will be on the Australian squad as they prepare for the Boxing Day Test, eager to see if they can extend their dominance in the Ashes series.
