Desperate England chasing an Ashes miracle in Adelaide
England’s heavy losses—eight wickets apiece in Perth and Brisbane—have left them 17 Tests without a victory in Australia, dating back to their last series win on Australian soil in 2010-11. If Australia win this match, the five-Test series will be decided inside three games for the fourth straight time in these clashes down under.
Legendary England batsman Geoffrey Boycott, who toured Australia four times and claimed two Ashes titles while drawing another, has led the backlash, accusing the team of “irresponsible batting, bowling too short, too wide or too full, and drops in the field.” He wrote that after just six days of Ashes cricket, England “need a miracle.”
Coach Brendon McCullum remains unbowed, insisting on Sunday that England are “a massive chance in this Test match. If we do that, the narrative changes in the series.”
Captain Ben Stokes, visibly frustrated after Brisbane, urged his teammates to rise to the occasion under pressure. Former England captain Alastair Cook believes Stokes will deliver a blunt team talk before the must-win day-night Test at the historic Adelaide Oval.
“Ben Stokes is the most competitive person I’ve ever encountered,” Cook told TNT Sports. “He won’t accept losing at anything, even a game of tiddlywinks or table tennis, and he’s watching his side crack under pressure. I think, for the first time in his leadership career, some home truths will be spoken.”
The challenge is massive. Only once in Ashes history has a side recovered from 2-0 down to win, when Don Bradman-led Australia overturned the deficit in 1936-37.
Selectors in England may consider reshuffling with the series on the line. Mark Wood is injured, and fast bowler Josh Tongue could come in for Gus Atkinson. McCullum indicated the top seven would stay the same, with Ollie Pope still at number three. Spin options will hinge on conditions, with a choice between Shoaib Bashir and Will Jacks, who impressed with the bat in Brisbane.
Australia, meanwhile, expect captain Pat Cummins to return after a back issue, bolstering a vaunted attack alongside Mitchell Starc, who has already claimed 18 wickets. Nathan Lyon, the veteran spinner, is also expected back after being left out in Brisbane, with Brendan Doggett and either Scott Boland or Michael Neser likely to miss out.
Key selection questions include Usman Khawaja’s position, whether he resumes as opener or drops to accommodate Travis Head alongside Jake Weatherald. Chief selector George Bailey signaled openness to Khawaja dropping in the order, or potentially being dropped entirely, which would mark the end of his 85-Test career.
Despite Australia’s momentum, bowling great Glenn McGrath warned against complacency. “They have England by the throat and must not ease off, even with some big names returning. The mindset should be to win every Test they play,” he wrote. Tim Paine, a former Australia captain, suggested Adelaide’s shorter boundaries and a flat pitch could suit England’s aggressive approach better than most grounds, making the upcoming Test especially compelling.
© 2025 AFP
