England are copping it after losing the Ashes in just 11 days of cricket in Australia, with the image of Nathan Lyon on crutches only making the defeat even worse for the visitors. Despite suggestions Australia was entering the home Ashes series with the worst side since 2010, it has been England who have been embarrassed on the field with some uninspired batting and bowling in Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide.
Captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum have led a mini-resurgence of English cricket across the last few years, despite results suggesting they have fallen short on the biggest stage. After being told their aggressive approach – coined ‘Bazball’ after coach McCullum’s nickname – might not fly in Australian conditions, the team stuck solid for the first two Test matches with their tactics.
Ben Stokes (pictured left) and Brendan McCullum are copping criticism over their style of play with the image of Nathan Lyon (pictured right) on crutches only making the defeat even worse for the visitors in Adelaide. (Images: Getty Images)
After going 2-0 down, England played a more traditional style of cricket littered with their aggressive approach. But it was a few moments of madness from the batters that once again cost them a chance in Adelaide.
One of England’s most prominent cricket writers, Nick Hoult, has taken aim at the side’s preparation and flawed philosophy. Hoult, who co-wrote the book ‘Bazball: The Inside Story of a Test Cricket Revolution’, claimed Australia have officially shattered the hype around England’s side with the visitors now seeking a win in Melbourne or Sydney to avoid a 5-0 series clean sweep.
“Australia have dismantled the concept of Bazball and their mental hold over English cricketers is stronger than ever. An England team that loves to talk up its ability to create history will go down as yet another bunch who crumbled when faced with the challenge of winning in Australia,” he wrote for The UK Telegraph.
England have been scrutinised for their preparation leading into the Ashes, with very few warm-up matches on Australian soil to get acclimatised to the conditions. They played ODIs and T20s in New Zealand in the lead-up, and just one red-ball game against the England A team over two days.
Hoult feels the lack of preparation was one of the team’s downfalls, describing it as “unforgivable” after McCullum admitted on Sunday they didn’t get the lead-up right. “Of all the away Ashes defeats this century, this one is the lamest because England had the talent to win and a method they believed in,” he added.
“But good cricketers badly underperformed because they were underprepared, which is unforgivable. Rob Key, the director of cricket, and Brendon McCullum, the head coach, are the two most accountable because this has been a failure of planning and professionalism, not talent.”
Brendon McCullum (pictured) has come under pressure following the team already losing the Ashes after 11 days of cricket.
Nathan Lyon image sums up Ashes humiliation
Hoult pointed out the image of key spinner Lyon on crutches to finish the Adelaide Test was also humiliating for England. Australia were forced to bowl Travis Head after Lyon’s injury as they looked for ideas to dismiss a battling England tail. But England failed to take advantage of Lyon’s absence with some silly shot-making once again proving to be their downfall.
Lyon is set to miss the MCG Test, and will struggle to be ready for the fifth Test in Sydney as well. Had the series still been alive, England would be facing an Australian team minus the greatest off-spinner ever.
Nathan Lyon (pictured) walks off the field with crutches after injuring his hamstring.
England’s preparation slammed for the Ashes
Meanwhile, former Aussie cricketer Bryce McGain feels Stokes’ men failed to listen to the warnings from former players heading into the series. Many of the England bowlers heading to Australia without having bowled many overs in first-class cricket across the last few months.
The last time England won a series in Australia was in 2010, when they played multiple warm-up games with the red ball to get used to the conditions. They haven’t won a single Test match since, and refused to follow that blueprint this time around.
“They haven’t been able to do it. They can’t stand up to the rigours, they’re not prepared,” McGain said on SEN radio. “Their former captain Michael Vaughan – who had success over here – said this is how you need to play, and they’re not doing it.
“They’re not listening, they’re tone deaf, they’ve got cotton wool in their ears. All the advice has been presented to them. You need to respect where you’re playing.”