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Bharat: England criticism is fair, but premature
SEN • November 30th, 2025 4:14 pm
England's first Ashes showing was far from perfect, however, as Bharat Sundaresan explains, writing them off may be slightly premature.
The media pile-on following England's two-day collapse in Perth has been significant, with questions surrounding coach Brendon McCullum, 'BazBall', Ben Stokes' captaincy and an array of factors surrounding their Test approach.
However, as the pink-ball Test grows closer, SEN Cricket's Sundaresan has explained that while some of the criticism may be justified, the English did get a lot right within that first Test.
Within a full length editorial on cricbuzz, Bharat suggests that if the British fail once again, all bets are off the table. Until then, it may be best to hold fire.
"Maybe we are jumping the gun a bit here," writes Sundaresan.
"Maybe it is rather premature to write England off. Maybe they do deserve some patience, even if their batters often lack it. Maybe England do indeed have the perfect plan and strategy to finally get the better of the Australians in their own backyard.
"Even if the two-day defeat in Perth may have triggered the naysayers in even some of the staunchest soothsayers and believers around this current England team.
"A few days out from that thumping defeat, and as we get nearer to the second Test at the Gabba, the overwhelming condemnation of this English team was perhaps overblown. For, surely, they are not out of this series yet."
Read Bharat's full article here.
Tune into Sport Nation for live ball-by-ball commentary of The Ashes series, the second Test begins December 4, available on the Sport Nation app via SEN.
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