The Ashes is still more than three months away, but legendary former Australian pacer Glenn McGrath has already made a bold prediction: a 5-0 sweep in favour of Australia against England.
Speaking on BBC Radio, McGrath said that England will find it “pretty tough” to win in Australia when the series kicks off in Perth on November 21. He believes Australia’s world-class bowling attack—led by Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon—will prove too much to handle in home conditions.
“It’s very rare for me to make a prediction, isn’t it? And I can’t make a different one — 5-0,” McGrath said. “Plus, that track record England have had, it’d be interesting to see if they can win a Test.”
McGrath also referred to England’s recent 2-2 draw in India during the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy to point out shortcomings in their batting line-up. He stressed that the key contest will be between Australia’s bowlers and England’s top and middle order, especially Joe Root and Harry Brook.
“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,” McGrath said. “Brook’s the one I’ve enjoyed watching… The Australians will need to get on him pretty early.”
England have not won the Ashes since 2015 and have struggled in most tours to Australia since the 2002–03 series. The last Ashes series Down Under in 2021–22 ended in a dominant 4-0 win for Australia, and they’ve lost only two of their last 15 home Tests.
McGrath also admitted that while Australia’s top order has its own issues, England’s bowling lacks the firepower needed to challenge the hosts.
“England’s bowling also needs to strengthen a little bit,” he said, adding further doubts about their chances of competing over the five-match series.
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