England’s mission to claim the Ashes stuttered to a halt inside 12 days, with several pundits pinning the result on poor planning and selection policies, combined with sub-par execution on the field. With England having already lost the series 3-0, we look at some of their most disappointing Test match losses against Australia since the start of the century.
Sign up to bet365 to be entered into a draw for the chance to win a Wisden t-shirt of your choice, terms and conditions apply, more information here 18+ begambleaware.org
The Oval 2001, 5th Test
Many assumed Steve Waugh’s series was over after the cricketer tore his calf during the third Test of the series. However, Waugh returned for the match at The Oval, smashing an unbeaten 157 to take his team to a clinical win. England would hardly have anticipated a player, who had been on a wheelchair in his hospital room and was advised rest for at least three months, would increase their nightmares after they had already lost three of the four matches of the series.
However, Waugh decided to lead from the front and piled on a fine 157* while battling on one leg for most parts to help Australia to 641-4 declared. England’s reply was full of determination, as Mark Ramprakash batted 232 balls to score 133, but it could only help them to 432, following which Australia enforced a follow-on. The hosts could manage only 184 in the second dig, to eventually lose the game by an innings and 25 runs, and the series 1-4.
Brisbane 2002/03, 1st Test
In what was widely considered a bizarre decision, England skipper Nasser Hussain won the toss and sent Australia in to bat first, with the hosts taking full advantage of the conditions in play. Aided by dropped catches, Australia scored 364-2 on day one, with brilliant hundreds from Ricky Ponting and Matthew Hayden setting the tone.
There was more in store for England, who saw young bowler Simon Jones painfully rupture his ligament while diving, and eventually withdraw from the series. Australia eventually piled on 492, but England didn’t look out of the game, managing 158-1 at stumps on the next day. From 268-3, the visitors folded up for 325, giving Australia a handy lead. England could never really crawl back into the game, needing 464 runs for a win after Waugh declared at 296-5. They were bundled out for a mere 79, with Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne sharing seven wickets between them.
Adelaide 2006/07, 2nd Test
Losing a Test match after declaring at 551-6 must be a crushing feeling. Paul Collingwood’s double ton and Kevin Pietersen’s 158 propelled England to a position from where they could have gone on to level the series. However, a crucial dropped catch by Ashley Giles off Ricky Ponting’s bat allowed the skipper to get 142, and Australia to 513.
The England side, in turn, collapsed from 69-1 to 129 all out, leaving Australia to get 168 runs from 36 overs, which they managed courtesy of brisk knocks from Ponting (49 in 65) and Michael Hussey (61* in 66).
Australia went on to win the series 5-0.
Adelaide 2013/14, 2nd Test
Mitchell Johnson was irrepressible during the home Ashes in 2013/14, starting off with a match haul of nine wickets at Brisbane, in the first Test. The second match, at Adelaide, had a much flatter wicket, but Johnson beat the conditions to trouble the England batters throughout the game.
After Australia piled on 570-9 in the first innings, the visitors were unable to withstand the ferocity of the quick’s bowling: he snared five wickets on day three in the span of just 18 balls, to end with figures of 7-40. England were eventually all out for 172 and lost by 218 runs.
Sydney 2013/14, 5th Test
The visiting team entered the match at SCG facing another whitewash. Their desperation was evident when they handed three players a Test debut: Gary Ballance, Scott Borthwick and Boyd Rankin. The after-effects of the loss can be gauged from the fact that the last two never played a Test for England again.
The visiting side could only score 155 and 166 in the two innings, not coming close to the 326 and 276 that Australia managed. England collapsed to a 0-5 defeat. Among other things, Kevin Pietersen never played another Test.
Perth 2017/18, 3rd Test
From a position of power to abject humiliation, the match at Perth four years ago was heartbreaking for different reasons. England showed promise, only to surrender meekly. Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow pushed through despite an indifferent top-order performance, taking the team from 131-4 to 368, with both making fine hundreds.
However, the last six wickets collapsed for only 35 runs as the team were dismissed for 403. In reply, Steve Smith scored his career-best 239, taking Australia to 662-9 declared, along with Mitchell Marsh’s 181. Josh Hazlewood ripped through the England batting order in the second innings, ensuring the hosts did not have to bat again.
Melbourne 2021/22, 3rd Test
England are looking towards yet another series whitewash after their mauling at the MCG. Poor batting seems to haunt the side since the start of the year, but Melbourne saw them at their very worst as the side collapsed to 68 all out in only 27.4 overs, with debutant Scott Boland picking up a five-for in 19 balls. Earlier, England had piled on 185 in the first innings, and Australia were bundled out for 267, courtesy of a four-wicket haul by James Anderson, but just when it needed a strong showing from the batters in the second leg, they turned out to disappoint again.
