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'I'm totally confused': Legends slam England's Bazball approach
Nicholas Quinlan • December 8th, 2025 12:34 am
Simon Katich, Damien Fleming and Ian Healy have criticised the performance of England so far, with Fleming admitting that he can't get a read on what they are trying to accomplish.
This comes as England have lost the Second Ashes Test to Australia by eight wickets, which sees them down 2-nil in the five-match series.
As they did in Perth for the First Test, England were able to put themselves into strong positions throughout the four-day game, with Joe Root managing to break his Test century drought in the first innings, which saw them set a competitive total of 334.
But following that, they would fall away, having been unable to bowl out Australia's tail, which saw them get beyond 500 runs, with the visitors then going from 1/90 to 6/128 during the night session of Day 3, which all but curtailed their chances of setting a competitive total.
Reflecting on their performance so far, the former Australian opener, Katich, felt that they were simply lacking in the basics of Test match cricket.
"When the Test match has been up for grabs, and generally that is in the first few days because that's when things get set up, England have been found wanting," Katich explained on SEN Cricket.
"And it's with both; Ball, bat and particularly in this Test, the field as well.
"So they go back to normal with day cricket in Adelaide, but there are a number of the basics of Test match cricket that they haven't done well enough in all aspects of their game."
While for Fleming, he felt that while there had been instances of England leading with actions over words, he was still struggling to figure out what they were trying to do.
"I mean, words are just words, just lead with actions," he said post-game on SEN Cricket.
"I mean (Ben) Stokes and (Will) Jacks did (that) today.
"I can't get a read on what they are doing. I'm totally confused by what they are and who they are. No idea."
Healy would also chime in, noting that they need to make the most of their break in Noosa before the Third Test to try and build some cohesion and love within the group.
"Too much talking and too much thinking," the former wicketkeeper added.
"They are not doing anything. They have got to get doing. They had their holiday after Perth (First Test). They haven't made the most of that break. It's not a time for a break now.
"If you're going to Noosa, go to Noosa, but work. Do plenty of work that's going to do stuff, make the bowlers stronger and fitter. Make everyone do stuff together, so you're toiling together, whether that be fitness drills, really competitive fielding sessions and then play your golf.
"But there is not enough competition and cohesion and love in that side that's playing Australia at the moment."
The Third Test, which will be played at Adelaide Oval, begins on December 17 as the Australians look to have done what they have done in the last three home Ashes series by claiming the urn with two matches to spare.
Tune into Sport Nation for live ball-by-ball commentary of The Ashes series - the third Test begins December 17 on Sport Nation Extra via the Sport Nation app - thanks to SEN.
