Ashes 2025/26: Ex Australian Skipper Calls England’s Ashes Collapse a Complete System Failure

England’s Ashes tour has taken another hit, and this time the criticism has come from former Australia captain Greg Chappell. After two heavy eight wicket defeats, he has called the campaign a complete system failure and questioned the very core of England’s approach.

Chappell wrote in his column for The Sydney Morning Herald, “The failure that has ensued across the first two Tests is a whole-of-system one, a catastrophic breakdown of both the game plan and its execution. While the players have been the immediate culprits, the off-field leaders, Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes, are equally responsible for not recognising the different challenges presented by Test cricket in Australia.”

He has placed the blame directly on the leadership group for refusing to adjust their style to Australian conditions. He said their plan might work in England but becomes risky in Australia.

The former captain also took aim at the Bazball style. “In the context of English cricket’s game plan, the aggressive, often reckless approach dubbed ‘Bazball’ the effect manifests as an overly positive spin on achievements and an unwillingness to accept that a method successful on flat English pitches and small grounds is fundamentally unsuited to the demanding conditions and quality opposition found in Australia,” he added.

England were outplayed in Perth and again in the pink ball Test. They had a first innings lead but could not build on it. At no stage did they control the match or put pressure on Australia.

With the series now at 0–2, former England players have also joined the criticism. Many of them feel the team has been brash, irresponsible and unwilling to adapt. They believe England are sticking to a plan that clearly is not working away from home.

The third Test starts on December 17 in Adelaide. England will need a major reset if they want to stay alive in the series.