'They need to win next Test or Ashes will get embarrassing' - Glenn McGrath pens down his frustration at England team after 2-0 drubbing

Australia’s dominant start to the ongoing Ashes 2025-26 has brought strong reactions from legendary pacer Glenn McGrath. After England suffered an eight-wicket thrashing in the second Test at Brisbane, allowing the hosts to take a 2-0 lead, McGrath wrote down his frustration in his BBC column. With three Tests remaining, he warned that unless the visitors win the next Test in Adelaide, the series could end in embarrassment.

England arrived in Australia with huge expectations, especially after pushing the hosts hard in the 2023 Ashes. But two Tests into the current series, they find themselves trailing 2-0 after being outplayed in every department. Their innings collapse in Perth, followed by another poor outing in Brisbane, has raised questions about their ‘Bazball’ approach. Meanwhile, Australia, even without Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, for the opening two games, produced clinical performances. McGrath stated how shocked even Australia would be at holding a 2-0 lead after just six days of cricket.

"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. I got a close look at England's style during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. For all of the talk about this tour being their chance to finally win a series in Australia, there was a lot of scepticism in this country about the way England play," he wrote.

McGrath further stated that England actually had Australia under pressure in the Perth opener before collapsing suffering a collapse. That, he said, gave Australia confidence heading into Brisbane, where they gave England a lesson in how to play Test cricket, particularly day-night Test cricket.

"They were put under the pump by England in the first Test in Perth, then pulled off an incredible turnaround. 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 Right now, all of the Australians who were sceptical about England are being proved right," he added.

The former revealed he has long admired England’s fearless style but believes it has now turned into rigidity, which has impacted their performances. 

"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. But I don't like the idea that pressure or expectation needs to be removed. The great players thrive under pressure, and the best teams hold each other to account. I played in an Australian team that won a lot, under some tough captains in Allan Border, Mark Taylor, Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting," he further added.