Former Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath believes that a third straight defeat in Adelaide, and an early defeat in the Ashes, would be an embarrassing outcome for England after months of speculation about their chances to end a 15-year-long drought for a series win down under.
After losing the first Test in Perth, from a very favourable position, thanks to a fourth-innings ton from Travis Head and a batting collapse of their own, England were roundly beaten in the day-night pink-ball Test in Brisbane this week. McGrath said “not in Australia’s wildest dreams could they have believed they would be 2-0 up in this Ashes series after playing only six days of cricket.”
“This series is not dead, but it’s not far from it. If England don’t win the third Test in Adelaide, it will get embarrassing,” the former great wrote in his column for BBC. “Right now, all of the Australians who were sceptical about England are being proved right.”
Unlike some other commentators, McGrath was not as harsh on the visitors. “There is a lot I like about England’s attitude. I love it when sportspeople play without fear, because that helps them push the boundaries of what is possible,” he wrote.
But he insists there have been hints of a problematic culture. “My concern for England was the message of “this is the way we play” yielded a culture that lacks accountability,” McGrath added.
He is expecting some changes after both captain Ben Stokes, and coach Brendon McCullum, publicly accepted there are issues. “I have no problems with what the England leaders said in public at the Gabba. If Stokes and McCullum have been strong in the media, you can guarantee they have been even stronger behind closed doors,” the 55-year-old wrote. “Will we now see a new version of Bazball? Like I said, I like the element of playing without fear. If England can add the ingredients of pressure and accountability, then they might still be on to something,”