Ashes 2025-26: If England are not careful, this could be 5-0, says Michael Vaughan

Published - 08 Dec 2025, 18:45 IST | Updated - 08 Dec 2025, 18:51 IST

Former English skipper Michael Vaughan has warned England that they could potentially be at the receiving end of a 0-5 sweep if they do not mend their ways against Australia in the ongoing Ashes. England were defeated by eight wickets in both first and second Tests of series, with three games left.

Vaughan, who was the Player of the Series in the 2002-03 series Down Under, admitted that he not seen anything from the suggests in the two games so far to believe that they could win even a single match in the series.

"I hate to say it. If England are not careful, this could be 5-0. I have not seen enough from England to suggest that they can win a game yet. They are a good set of players and it is possible. If they do not improve quickly, this can get a lot worse before it gets better," stated Vaughan while speaking on BBC's Test Match Special.

The renowned commentator noted that the Ben Stokes-led unit will have to make changes to their XI for their upcoming encounter at the Adelaide Oval from December 17.

"England will have to make changes going into Adelaide. They have to seriously consider Ollie Pope's position. He has played plenty of games against Australia. There is a mental scar against Australia for Pope. Do you bring in Jacob Bethell? Can Stokes bat at number three and Jacks at number six? It is a big risk bringing Bethell into this series when the team is 2-0 down, and he has not scored a First-Class hundred," he added.

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England have been under the pump in this series so far. The pressure has only compounded as the Three Lions have not won a single red-ball contest in Australia since the 2010-11 season.

While Australia have never been clean-swept in the Ashes so far, England have faced the embarrassment thrice: 1920-21, 2006-07 and the 2013-14 series.