With the Ashes still a fair way off, Australian legend Glenn McGrath has already set the wheels in motion of what will be a spicy series with a prediction of a 5-0 clean sweep by Australia. The first Test is scheduled in Perth on November 21 with McGrath predicting that England will be in for a tough time against the likes of Pat Cummins and Co.
“It’s very rare for me to make a prediction, isn’t it? And I can’t make a different one – 5-0. 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 said on ‘BBC Radio’.
England hasn’t had the best time in the Ashes in the recent past, having not won the series since 2015. They have lost either 0-5 or 0-4 in all but one series in Australia since 2002-03. Their last Test win came in 2010-11 when they claimed a 3-1 series triumph.
Australia won 4-0 when England last toured the country in 2021-22 and Pat Cummins’ side have only lost two of their past 15 Tests at home, winning 11 and drawing two.
“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,” McGrath said. He also added that the series will be an important one for Joe Root who hasn’t had the best of form when playing in Australia with his highest score here being just 89.
“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. Brook’s the one that I’ve enjoyed watching. He just goes out there, plays his game, and takes it on. The Australians will need to get on him pretty early. Ben Duckett is such an aggressive opener. Zak Crawley would be keen to score a few more runs than he has previously,” the Aussie legend said.
