Fromer Australia cricketer Ian Healy was highly critical of the England team for their performance against Australia so far in the Ashes. After suffering back-to-back 8-wicket defeats to Australia in the first and second Test, England are already 2-0 down in the series and it will be a mountain task for them to somehow make a comeback. Looking at their abysmal Test record Down Under, the series may well be done and dusted already.
Healy labelled England's performance so far as "deflating" and further remarked that there was optimism that fans would finally get the close Ashes series in Australia that they had been yearning for years. He also lambasted the Three Lions for their poor decision-making in the first two Tests.
“It’s a very deflating performance so far. The optimism we had before any contest was very high. We thought that this was going to be the close Ashes (in Australia) that we’ve been craving since the 60s," Healy told SEN.
“It’s been a monumental fail by England; they have misread everything. I don’t know how there could be so many people that don’t know any better in decision-making positions of English Cricket that have let this itinerary become approved," he added.
Healy slams England's preparations
He pointed out that England weren't well-prepared for any of the two Tests as they haven't trained much prior to the series. The former wicketkeeper-batter also feels that the players aren't giving it their all on the field either.
“They’ve just got nothing because they haven’t been training. They are not fit enough, they are not bowling fit enough (and) the batsmen haven’t made enough big runs of recent times. So, they are all fresh and green, and they’re not working hard enough. It’s very disappointing that it has been such a farce for them," Healy stated.
Third Test to commence soon
Meanwhile, the third Test of the ongoing Ashes series is set to begin from December 17 at the Adelaide Oval. Both the teams are expected to announce their squads for the match soon. The Baggy Greens will end up sealing the series if they win the upcoming match.