New Delhi, Dec 9 (IANS) Former Australia cricketer Glenn McGrath believes England’s Ashes squad lacks “accountability” and labelled it “embarrassing” after the visitors lost back-to-back matches and trail five-match series 0-2 against Australia.

In the day-night pink-ball Test in Brisbane this week, England were soundly defeated after losing the first Test in Perth from a highly advantageous position due to a fourth-innings century from Travis Head and a batting collapse of their own.

England’s odds of winning the series in Australia after a 15-year drought are at 0–2. “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,” McGrath wrote a coloumn in BBC Sport.

“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,” he wrote.

McGrath was critical of the visitors; however, he maintains that there have been indications of a troubled culture. Following the public acknowledgement of problems by coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes, he anticipates some adjustments.

“My concern for England was the message of this is the way we play yielded a culture that lacks accountability. I have no problems with what the England leaders said in public at the Gabba. If Stokes and McCullum have been strong in the media, you can guarantee they have been even stronger behind closed doors,” the 55-year-old wrote.

“Will we now see a new version of Bazball? Like I said, I like the element of playing without fear. If England can add the ingredients of pressure and accountability, then they might still be on to something.”

McGrath also credited Australia for their exceptional performance with the batt and ball. He was full of praise for Mitchell Starc, who continues to deliver with the ball even in the absence of regular skipper Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood and leads the bowling chart with 18 wickets and some handy contribution with the bat too.

“For all that England have been criticised, Australia deserve a huge amount of credit. If England had been told they would play an Australia team without all of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon, they would have been rubbing their hands with glee. And yet, Australia pulled off victory in Brisbane with all of their other players standing up.

Mitchell Starc has been absolutely outstanding, supported by Michael Neser, Scott Boland and Brendan Doggett.”

“Alex Carey put in an absolute masterclass behind the stumps, possibly the best wicketkeeping performance I’ve ever seen – and I played with Ian Healy and Adam Gilchrist. Perhaps the biggest revelation for Australia has been the shift in the batting order.”

–IANS

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