England's Ashes campaign is in tatters after a second heavy defeat to Australia, prompting a furious backlash from some of the nation's most iconic former players. Sir Geoffrey Boycott, Sir Ian Botham, and Michael Vaughan have launched a scathing attack on captain Ben Stokes and the team's much-vaunted 'Bazball' philosophy following an eight-wicket loss at the Gabba.
Bazball Branded "Bull****" After Gabba Horror Show
The defeat in Brisbane, which followed a similarly emphatic two-day loss in Perth, leaves England needing a historic comeback to retain the urn. No side has won a five-match Ashes series from 2-0 down since 1937. Despite a gritty first-innings century from Joe Root – his first in Australia – the tourists were outplayed in all departments.
In a blistering column for The Telegraph, legendary batsman Geoffrey Boycott pulled no punches. "Brisbane was a horror show: irresponsible batting, bowling too short, too wide or too full and catches dropped," he wrote. "England talk the talk but can't walk the walk. With this sort of batting and bowling, they couldn't win an egg cup."
Boycott took particular aim at Stokes's pre-series confidence, dismissing the captain's claims of a long-term plan. "Ben Stokes said England had a blueprint... What a load of bull****," Boycott stated. He also referenced Stokes's dismissal of critics as "has-beens", retorting: "I am just a has-been who did four England tours of Australia, winning two Ashes series and drawing the other two."
Tactical Decisions and Missed Opportunities Under Fire
The criticism extended beyond philosophy to specific tactical choices. Ian Botham, speaking on Australian radio, lambasted England's decision not to send key players for a two-day warm-up match in Canberra between the first two Tests. The match was a day-night fixture, offering crucial practice with the pink ball under lights.
"They missed the trick," fumed Botham. "They could have sent the team to play in Canberra... they would've had some experience with the pink ball. What do we do? 'Well, we don't need to'. Well, I suggest you do need to."
Botham also questioned Stokes's field settings during Australia's run chase, suggesting they lacked basic cricket sense. Meanwhile, former captain Michael Vaughan identified a deeper issue with the team's mindset. "The big thing for this England side is the mentality," Vaughan told Cricbuzz, while also calling for changes to the batting order, suggesting Stokes himself could move up to number three.
Stokes Admits to Mentality Struggle as Adelaide Looms
In a reflective post-match interview, Stokes himself seemed to echo concerns about the team's psychological resilience. "Do we need to start thinking about what mentality we are taking into those pressure moments?" the skipper pondered on Test Match Special.
He acknowledged a pattern where England falter at pivotal junctures. "When that moment is neck and neck we are not coming out on top on enough occasions," Stokes admitted, before adding a defiant note: "A dressing room that I am captain of is not a place for weak men either."
The third Test, a day-night match at the Adelaide Oval, begins at 11:30pm UK time on Wednesday, 17 December. It represents England's last realistic chance to ignite a fightback, with the weight of history and the ire of their legendary predecessors now heavily upon them.
