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Former Australia pacer Glenn McGrath has predicted that England will be whitewashed 5-0 in the 2025-26 Ashes.
The Three Lions have not won an Ashes series since 2015 and, notably, not a single Test in Australia since the 2010-11 series.
The most recent series between two arch-rivals, played in 2023, resulted in a 2-2 draw, with Australia retaining the urn.
Now, the six-time Ashes winner and legendary fast bowler McGrath is known for his bold predictions, and in the past, he has made similar statements.
“It’s very rare for me to make a prediction, isn’t it? And I can’t make a different one-5-0,” McGrath stated in an interview with a British news outlet.
“I’m very confident with our team. When you’ve got Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon firing in their home conditions, it’s going to be pretty tough. Plus, that track record England have had, it’d be interesting to see if they can win a Test,” McGrath added.
Glenn McGrath deemed Ashes 2025-26 crucial for England’s ace batter Joe Root, who is yet to make his mark down under.
Joe Root has amassed 892 Test runs in Australia, including nine fifties, but is yet to score a century.
The 55-year-old also lauded Harry Brook’s batting and termed his wicket crucial for the Australian pacers.
“This series will be a big one for Root. He’s never really done that well in Australia, he’s not even got a 100 over there, so he’ll be keen to get out there. He’s in fine form,” he said.
“Brook’s the one that I’ve enjoyed watching,” added McGrath. “He just goes out there, plays his game, and takes it on. The Australians will need to get on him pretty early.
He further mentioned England’s top order and the key matchups between both teams.
“Ben Duckett is such an aggressive opener. Zak Crawley would be keen to score a few more runs than he has previously.
“It’s the top order or top and middle order of England against the Australian fast bowlers and Lyon. That’s going to be a big match-up,” Glenn McGrath concluded.
For the unversed, the opening match of Ashes 2025-26 will commence on 21 November in Perth.
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