'Going to get dusted' - Former Australian spinner makes bold prediction for Ashes 2025-26

Former Australian spinner Steve O'Keefe feels England will reclaim the Ashes and win the upcoming series by a 3-2 margin. Notably, England last won a Test series in Australia in 2010-11 season. O'Keefe, who played 16 internationals for Australia, felt the fast bowling attack of England may prove to be a heavy challenge for the hosts, and that the latter will get "dusted on their home track". 

“Don’t miss the mail here, I’m calling it - England (to win) 3-2. I’m saying that the Aussies are going to get dusted on their home track. They’ve got some great quicks in Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue, just to name a few," stated O'Keefe, as quoted by Fox Cricket.

The left-arm spinner felt England have the right players for the right occasion and they are coming in with just the form they need to offer a stiff challenge to Australia. He also commented that the bowling attack looked just about right this time around.

“I just think that they are ready, they’ve got the right attack this time. They used to bring over some players, and you just never had that feeling that they were ever close or good enough. They were the superior team when they beat us twice before in the past. In 2010, they had the better team. This time, you could argue and say that they don’t, but I’m just saying it’s the right team in the right form to come over. I just think that the timing is right. It’s been 15 years since 2010," he added.

The 40-year-old predicted the pitches to be more batting-friendly this time around. He also mentioned that the first four batters for England will put enough pressure on the Australian bowling attack to ensure that the latter remain under pressure on most occasions. 

"Joe Root’s in the form of his life. Couple that with Harry Brook, Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley. I think the wickets will be flatter and they are going to look to wreak havoc against this Australian attack and take them on, and I think that’s what’s going to put pressure on the Aussies, and ultimately, I think they’ll fail under that pressure. What they’ve got is repeated fast-bowling options, there’s no let-off, and they are going to challenge this Australian team,” concluded O'Keefe.

Australia last played the red-ball format on their tour of West Indies, where they emerged as convincing winners by a 3-0 margin. On the other hand, England drew the India series at home. Australia are yet to lose a single Test match in Australia while playing against England.