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Highlights: Australia beat England on day five to seal 4-1 Ashes win
Having covered England in Australia for a decade, this tour has proven, without question, the most disappointing.
Record attendance figures underscore the profound public interest in the series.
Expectations, including my own, were high for a closely contested battle extending to the final moments.
Instead of a memorable series, it has been a significant letdown, concluding, as many past tours have, with intense scrutiny on the English team and the state of the game.
England essentially faced a weakened Australian side, won the majority of coin tosses, yet ultimately faltered, culminating in a 4-1 series defeat sealed in Sydney.
The reasons are not obscure, and England coach Brendon McCullum has already acknowledged shortcomings.
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Beyond batting failures in Perth or bowling inconsistencies in Adelaide, the pivotal misstep occurred on 24 July 2025.
I recall my frustration with the insufficient pre-series preparations—nets and a single intra-squad warm-up—as it was evident that England’s strategy was inadequate for an Ashes victory on Australian soil.
It is baffling that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) approved such plans. The individual responsible, be it Director of Cricket Rob Key, Chief Executive Richard Gould, or another, should be held accountable.
On a personal level, recognizing the uncertainty of future tours, I felt both anger and disappointment.
Thousands of England supporters, many of whom I engaged with nightly, invested their life savings to attend.
Their prevailing sentiment is not mere disappointment, but profound anger, as they deserve better.
The soft dismissals and dropped catches reflect a team lacking discipline to an embarrassing extent.
Contrast this with Australia’s flawless catching, restrictive bowling, and substantial individual scores.
The ECB now owes England’s loyal fanbase a thorough explanation.
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Starc dismisses Tongue for six as England all out for 342
McCullum appears set to be given the opportunity to turn things around, contingent on his willingness to adapt. However, this prospect seems unlikely.
His leadership style with New Zealand, both as a player and captain, is characterized by a relaxed approach to coaching and life.
While McCullum is personally agreeable and achieved initial success, his methods have proven ineffective with this Test cricket squad.
“Bazball” has not benefited players such as Ollie Pope, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith, or Gus Atkinson, who appear disoriented by the expectations placed upon them.
Greater emphasis on county cricket is needed to provide players with the match experience crucial for development.
It remains questionable whether McCullum shares this viewpoint.
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Regardless of other changes, Ben Stokes must remain as captain.
England cannot afford to lose both McCullum and Stokes.
While Stokes shares responsibility for the team’s approach, his recent statements indicate a desire for more nuanced strategies.
His captaincy during this series has been imperfect.
The delayed introduction of Josh Tongue with the new ball and questionable field placements and tactical decisions raise concerns.
However, Stokes remains England’s best leader, while his vice-captain, Harry Brook, is currently unsuited to lead the Test team.
Brook’s irresponsible batting and failure to adapt necessitate a thorough re-evaluation of his game.
Failure to do so risks hindering his considerable potential.
Regarding other personnel changes, I hope Ollie Pope’s career is not over, given his batting talent.
England must move on from Will Jacks, whose bowling is insufficient for the role of sole spinner in a Test attack.
The wicketkeeper position, currently held by Jamie Smith, presents a significant question for England’s upcoming Test matches.
Smith’s struggles on this tour, with 211 runs in 10 innings at an average of 23.44, coupled with dropped catches, are deeply concerning.
In reality, only Josh Tongue and Jacob Bethell can depart with their heads held high.
Brydon Carse was assigned an inappropriate role—better suited to first change, bowling long spells with sustained effort—but deserves recognition for his relentless performance throughout the five Tests.
Bethell’s innings of 154 in Sydney resembled that of a seasoned player with extensive Test experience.
Brook could benefit from emulating Bethell’s approach to constructing a Test innings.
After a tour filled with initial promise, there is little cause for celebration.
Jonathan Agnew was speaking to BBC Sport’s Matthew Henry