Glenn McGrath Slams England While Warning Australia For Ashes Performance

The Australia legend Glenn McGrath stated the series could end 5-0 but cautioned his countrymen against complacency.

Australia legend Glenn McGrath has warned the home side against complacency despite their 2-0 Ashes lead. In a column for BBC News, he stated a 5-0 series win is possible but not guaranteed.

McGrath wrote that England must win the third Test in Adelaide to avoid embarrassment. He praised aspects of England’s ‘Bazball’ approach but also criticised its lack of accountability.

“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. They gave England a lesson in how to play Test cricket, particularly day-night Test cricket. This series is not dead, but it’s not far from it. If England doesn’t win the third Test in Adelaide, it will get embarrassing,” McGrath wrote.

Glenn McGrath’s Critique of England’s Approach

“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. My concern for England was the message of “this is the way we play” yielded a culture that lacks accountability. It was almost that England had decided conditions had to adapt to them, rather than England adapting their game to suit the conditions,” McGrath wrote.

Looking ahead, McGrath said Australia must guard against complacency with key players returning. He warned that England remained dangerous.

“Adelaide will be a good pitch, with something in it for batters and bowlers. Australia will remember how England came from 2-0 down to draw the last Ashes. They will know England are dangerous. They cannot get complacent. An Australia team should always think it can win every Test it plays, so for that reason this team should be thinking about winning 5-0. England will know they have no choice but to turn things around in Adelaide. If they don’t, then it really could be 5-0,” McGrath concluded.

England’s Mark Wood has been ruled out of the series. For Australia, Josh Hazlewood remains absent but Pat Cummins is likely to return as captain for the Adelaide Test.