Former England captain Nasser Hussain feels that the moment has come where skipper Ben Stokes needs to make some tough decisions and start confronting the players regarding their on-field performance. Hussain believes that the team aren't thinking straight when it comes to pressure situations. and remarked that they cannot play afford to play another match using the same strategy.
“They are not thinking smart. They are not thinking straight under pressure," Hussain wrote in his column for The Athletic.
"He (Ben Stokes) has to look those players in the eye and decide who is mentally strong enough because England cannot afford another game of just rocking up and playing the same way.” He argued that some players appear burdened by past failures, and Stokes must determine “who is thinking ‘here we go again’ as opposed to ‘I’m going to put an end to this," he added.
England need to pull off a miracle
England have lost both the Tests so far in the series and have lost them in comprehensive fashion. They have suffered back-to-back eight-wicket defeats and it will now be a mountain task for them to make a comeback in the series. Looking at their dismal Test record in Australia, the series may well be done and dusted already.
Mark Wood ruled out
Things got even worse for England recently as pacer Mark Wood got ruled out of the remainder of the series on Tuesday due to a flare-up on his left knee. He had played the series opener in Perth, but had picked up an injury during the match. Then, he had been rested for the pink-ball Test in Brisbane, but has now been ruled out of the remaining three matches and is set to return home in order to rehab.
"Gutted to be out the remainder of the Ashes. After extensive surgery and seven long, hard months of work and rehab to get back into the Test arena, my knee just hasn't held up. None of us expected this. I came here with high expectations about making a big impact. I'm desperately disappointed that despite yet more injections and intensive medical treatment, it has become clear that the flare-up in my knee is worse than feared," Wood wrote in an Instagram post.
"I'm really sorry that it has left me unable to perform as expected but it is not for want of trying. Whatever happens, I will continue to push the limits to get back again. It has been a tough road these past few months but I remain determined to give it another proper go. I still believe we can turn things around. Never give in. Come on, England," he added.
Meanwhile, the third Ashes Test is set to commence from December 17 at the Adelaide Oval.