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Former England captain Michael Vaughan has made a harrowing prediction for Ben Stokes-led England after their crushing 8-wicket defeat in the 2nd Test at The Gabba in Brisbane on Sunday. Australia comfortably chased down the target of 65 runs in their second innings on Day 3 to wrap up a dominant victory in the pink-ball Test and go 2-0 up in the five-match series.
Despite batting well in the first innings of the day-night Test match, England ended up falling short in the Test match after their bowlers failed to deliver. The visitors rode on a magnificent 138-run knock from Joe Root to post a strong total of 334 runs in their first innings at The Gabba. In reply, Australia finished with a huge total of 511 runs in their second innings courtesy of half-centuries from skipper Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Jake Weatherald, Alex Carey and Mitchell Starc.
Australia amassed a healthy lead of 177 runs in their first innings to put England under the pump. The visitors crumbled as they could only manage to set a target of meagre 65 runs for Australia after getting bundled out for 241 runs in their second innings on Day 3. Australia chased down the target comfortably to wrap up a big win.
Speaking to the BBC on the sidelines of the Gabba Test, Vaughan admitted England could be clean swept 5-0 in the Ashes 2025-26 if they don't get their act together in the remainder of the series. The former England captain insisted the team appears deflated and directionless and that there is nothing that suggests they can bounce back in the series.
"I hate to say it. If England are not careful this could be 5-0. I have not seen enough from England to suggest that they can win a game yet. They are a good set of players and it is possible. If they do not improve quickly, this can get a lot worse before it gets better," Vaughan said on the BBC.
Australia have gone 2-0 up in the five-match series despite missing their regular Test captain Pat Cummins, highlighting England's struggles Down Under. Vaughan criticised England's poor batting in the 2nd Test at The Gabba and suggested Ollie Pope should be dropped after his poor show at the crucial no.3 spot.
The former England captain advocated for Jacob Bethell's inclusion in the playing XI for the third Test against Australia despite noting that it could be a risky move. Vaughan said skipper Stokes can bat at no.3 if Bethell is included in the side.
"England will have to make changes going into Adelaide. They have to seriously consider Ollie Pope's position. He has played plenty of games against Australia. There is a mental scar against Australia for Pope. Do you bring in Jacob Bethell? Can Stokes bat at number three and Jacks at number six? It is a big risk bringing Bethell into this series when the team is 2-0 down, and he has not scored a first-class hundred, yet you expect him to perform against this Australia team with Cummins and Lyon back in the side," Vaughan added.
Yes, the Ashes has thrice ended in a 5-0 result. England were whitewashed by Australia on all three occasions. Australia first blanked England 5-0 in the 1920-21 series, before repeating the feat in 2006-07 and the Ashes 2013-14. If Ben Stokes & Co. go on to lose the remaining three Tests in the ongoing Ashes 2025-26, they won't be the first England side to get whitewashed 5-0 in the series.
