Ashes: 'This series is not dead' - Australia legend Glenn McGrath feels England stand on the cusp of 'embarrassing' situation

Australian cricket legend Glenn McGrath has issued a critical assessment of England's performance in the ongoing Ashes series, where Australia leads 2-0.

McGrath emphasised that England must secure a victory in the third Test at Adelaide to avoid further embarrassment.



"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," McGrath wrote in a BBC column.

"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 were put under the pump by England in the first Test in Perth, then pulled off an incredible turnaround."

The former pacer praised Australia's performance in the second Test match at Brisbane, adding, "It put them on a wave of confidence going into the second Test in Brisbane, where they gave England a lesson in how to play Test cricket, particularly day-night Test cricket."

He also expressed concerns about England's rigid approach to the game.

"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," he explained.

McGrath noted that the English team appears to have finally recognised the severity of their situation following their loss in Brisbane.

"Finally, in the aftermath of the defeat in Brisbane, it looks like the penny has dropped," he concluded.

England now face a crucial challenge in the Adelaide Test, with their hopes of avoiding a series defeat hanging in the balance.


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