Michael Bailey

The Ashes Briefing: England fight back with raw pace after Mitchell Starc’s career best haul The opening day of the series saw a record number of wickets fall as the Ashes began in dramatic style

What a wacky, wild opening day of Test cricket that was, Perth. Crumbs.

Get briefed right here with me, Jim & Cameron for @theathletic.com #Ashes

www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...

Preparing Perth Stadium for Ashes cricket: A drop-in wicket, a 40-tonne transporter and sleepless nights The ground is hosting its first Ashes Test but will replicate the pace and bounce that made the WACA, across the Swan River, so feared

Came up with this idea while still in England. So much fun digging into how you go from rugby & AFL, to a cricket oval at a glorious new stadium — all while trying to recreate an iconic pitch from the opposite bank of the Swan River... #Ashes @theathletic.com

www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...

I've not checked it out but I feel it's pretty likely I've been in an elite group of journalists today who covered the USMNT playing Uruguay (some win that) — and then headed over to Perth Stadium for more #Ashes cricket buildup.

What a niche that is, by the way.

Scott Boland and Brendan Doggett aim to make history for Australia in Ashes opener If the two pace bowlers are picked in Perth, it will be the first time Australia have named two indigenous players in the same Test team

History in the making for Australia. Hopefully. Great to hear from Scott Boland at Perth Stadium this lunchtime. Big week ahead...

www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...

Nasser Hussain interview: ‘The Ashes defines England captains and coaches’ The former England captain is joining The Athletic's Ashes coverage - he can't wait for the talking to stop and the cricket to start

Nasser Hussain has joined The Athletic as a columnist as part of our coverage of the Ashes, which begin on Friday in Perth.

“This series usually defines England captains and coaches, and this one will.”

Hussain will return to provide analysis for The Athletic after each Test.

Josh Hazlewood ruled out of first Ashes Test, Mark Wood hamstring scan clear Hazlewood joins Pat Cummins and Sean Abbott on the sidelines, with Michael Neser called up and uncapped Brendan Doggett in line for debut

A huge blow for Australia with less than a week to go before the Ashes.

Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the first Test in Perth with a hamstring injury.

Meanwhile, England have received a positive update on Mark Wood.

More from @michaeljbailey.bsky.social ⤵️

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Why are defensive midfielders scoring so many goals? This week, we’re tackling the defensive midfield position.How has it evolved, who does it best and why are they suddenly scoring loads of goals?Host: Michael BaileyWith: Michael Cox and Mark Care...

NEW POD 🚨

How has the defensive midfield position evolved?

Who does it best?

Why are they suddenly scoring loads of goals?

@zonal-marking.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social & @michaeljbailey.bsky.social discuss.

pod.fo/e/3522c8

England’s Ashes preparations in Perth are continuing. With no real confidence in exactly how well…

England’s Mark Wood to undergo precautionary scan on hamstring after eight-over stint The fast bowler was playing for the first time in a 'competitive' match since February after undergoing knee surgery

England fast bowler Mark Wood will undergo a precautionary scan after complaining of stiffness in his left hamstring following his first bowl in a ‘competitive’ match since February.

Full story from @michaeljbailey.bsky.social ⬇️

Ben Stokes and the debt he owes New Zealand The England captain's roots are a sense of pride for the people of Christchurch - despite being known as a tearaway as a youngster

Getting excited about the Ashes? You should be! This is wonderful from Cameron Ponsonby on Ben Stokes' New Zealand heritage and how it formed him.

Plenty more where this came from on the way too @theathletic.com … Enjoy! #TheAshes

www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...

Jake Weatherald: The Ashes rookie who went from an English village to Australia’s Test squad Australia's rookie opening batsman was playing amateur cricket two years ago, but is now ready to shine on cricket's biggest stage

Norfolk cricket hits @theathletic.com! (Not something I imagined writing a few yrs ago.)

Lovely stuff from @nickmiller79.bsky.social on Jake Weatherald — and a pocket of yellow & green in England hoping for at least a slither of Australian magic during the Ashes ...

www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: A guide to the 4-4-2 formation This season there have been zero instances of teams starting with a 4-4-2 in the Premier League. In the late 2000s the majority of teams lined up in a 4-4-2 - but since then, that figure has been ...

NEW POD!

A guide to the 4-4-2 formation.

Strengths 💪
Weaknesses 😐

With @zonal-marking.bsky.social, @markcarey93.bsky.social, @liamtharme.bsky.social & @michaeljbailey.bsky.social

pod.fo/e/342dc6

Looking a bit English in Perth 😂

Obviously the Dodgers are good but deary me, that was weak from Milwaukee.

Back to the soccer, guys! Bit of work to get on with there by the looks of it. 🫣

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Does Jude Bellingham get into England's best side? Thomas Tuchel’s England team selection for the wins over Wales and Latvia got us thinking about star players and their value.Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham and Jack Grealish were left out of the squ...

NEW POD 🚨

@zonal-marking.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social & @markcarey93.bsky.social join @michaeljbailey.bsky.social to chat star players and their value.

So is it system first, or stars first? 🤔

pod.fo/e/33e8b2

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Has Guardiola actually changed his philosophy? Pep Guardiola’s defensive tactics in Manchester City’s Premier League draw at Arsenal last weekend caused quite the stir.Was it a one off? Or has Guardiola’s philosophy been slowly changing i...

NEW POD 🚨

Has Pep Guardiola really changed, or was the match against Arsenal an anomaly?

@zonal-marking.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social join @michaeljbailey.bsky.social to discuss!

pod.fo/e/3318c0

On tomorrow's pod we'll be asking if Pep Guardiola has actually changed Man City's approach this season.

How different does this City team look compared to 2016-17?

Send your questions for the panel!

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Why has this season started so slowly? There were a mere 19 goals across 20 games in the Premier League last weekend.Which got us thinking — why so few? And is it partly to do with the influx of new signings creating unfamiliarity and...

NEW POD 🚨

Why has this Premier League season started so slowly?

@zonal-marking.bsky.social, @liamtharme.bsky.social & @markcarey93.bsky.social join @michaeljbailey.bsky.social to discuss.

pod.fo/e/32cff1

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Mavericks, Donnarumma & are Arsenal too cautious? It’s the international break in men’s football and that means only one thing… mailbag time!We’re going to answer your questions on all sorts — iPads, subs, mavericks and more!Host: Michae...

NEW MAILBAG POD 🚨

@michaeljbailey.bsky.social @zonal-marking.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social & @markcarey93.bsky.social answer your questions on...

- Maverick players
- Donnarumma to City
- Are Arsenal too cautious?

& much, much more!

pod.fo/e/328a93

Mailbag: Send in your questions for The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast Send in your questions now ahead of a special episode of The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast

Send in your questions for @theathleticfc.bsky.social Tactics Podcast special mailbag episode!

What trend, team, or player has caught your eye from the season so far?

Or are there any tactical/data questions you would like us to address?

Let us know below!

www.nytimes.com/athletic/660...

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Why Amorim's Man United system isn't working This week, we’ll tell you why Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system he insists on using at Manchester United, isn’t functioning.And we’ll look at other examples of managers who seem wedded to just ...

NEW POD! 🚨

We take on... Why Amorim's Man United system isn't working.

With @michaeljbailey.bsky.social @michaeljbailey.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social

Enjoy!

pod.fo/e/324da2

Love this — and so much of what @jacobwhitehead.bsky.social produced while following this year's @le-tourdefrance.bsky.social for @theathletic.com.

Enjoy it.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...

Thames barge sails on the Blackwater. Beautiful. You should visit bargetrust.org to find out about the incredible vessels — and know that Chris is a superstar skipper. X

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: How Belgium marched to world number one On episode two of Football Architects, we’re focusing on the rise that took a stagnant Belgium to number one in FIFA’s world rankings.We’ll hear about how they established a footballing DNA, ...

Episode two of Football Architects is LIVE!

This part focuses on the rise of Belgium to No.1 in the world.

Featuring @michaeljbailey.bsky.social @jacobwhitehead.bsky.social & @liamtharme.bsky.social

pod.fo/e/2f8cce

YouTube video by Michael Bailey 15 July 2025

New one for all you sports socialites!

youtu.be/ZFzFd7FN0sc?...

YouTube video by Michael Bailey SPORTS SOCIAL | Wimbledon, sorry Lando, Andrea Bocelli & turf doctors — Michael Bailey 01.07.25

Fresh from a busy weekend — includes Bocelli, an apology and turf doctors...

LET'S GET SOCIAL.

youtu.be/cPujJN3lpeU

Mini-golf, Australia style. #mindthesnakes

YouTube video by Michael Bailey SPORTS SOCIAL | From rambling to rugby, F1 in Austria — Michael Bailey 28.06.25

Snuck in a little sports social from Perth's CBD. Hope you enjoy the tour...

youtu.be/9s6FavRFIAY

England beat Germany in thriller to retain Under-21 Euros title Analysis as England survive a scare to beat Germany to win the U21 Euros for the second consecutive time

Fair play to Jon Rowe — the boy loves a big moment, and he's pretty good at them. Eye-catching stuff from England U21s again.
👇 www.nytimes.com/athletic/645...

YouTube video by Michael Bailey SPORTS SOCIAL | OKC, SGA’s NBA Finals triumph; heartbreak for Haliburton — Michael Bailey 23.06.25

New social! Hooked on the fun and fallout from Game 7 of the NBA Finals...

youtu.be/07Cm94qJWHo