'They need to win next Test or Ashes will get embarrassing' - Glenn McGrath pens down his frustration at England team after 2-0 drubbing

Published - 09 Dec 2025, 18:41 IST | Updated - 09 Dec 2025, 18:53 IST

Australia’s dominant start to the ongoing Ashes 2025-26 has brought strong reactions from legendary pacer Glenn McGrath. After England suffered an eight-wicket thrashing in the second Test at Brisbane, allowing the hosts to take a 2-0 lead, McGrath wrote down his frustration in his BBC column. With three Tests remaining, he warned that unless the visitors win the next Test in Adelaide, the series could end in embarrassment.

England arrived in Australia with huge expectations, especially after pushing the hosts hard in the 2023 Ashes. But two Tests into the current series, they find themselves trailing 2-0 after being outplayed in every department. Their innings collapse in Perth, followed by another poor outing in Brisbane, has raised questions about their ‘Bazball’ approach. Meanwhile, Australia, even without Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, for the opening two games, produced clinical performances. McGrath stated how shocked even Australia would be at holding a 2-0 lead after just 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. I got a close look at England's style during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. For all of the talk about this tour being their chance to finally win a series in Australia, there was a lot of scepticism in this country about the way England play," he wrote.