ECB undertaking full scale review into Ashes disaster amid calls for key men to be sacked
SCG: England has announced it will undertake a full scale review into the side's Ashes performance after a brutal 4-1 loss.
Immediately after the fifth Test at the SCG ended on Thursday afternoon, a statement was released by the England Cricket Board with chief executive officer Richard Gould saying the series has been "deeply disappointing".
"While there were moments of strong performance and resilience during the series, including a hard-fought victory in the fourth Test in Melbourne, we were not consistent enough across all conditions and phases of the contest, and Australia ultimately deserved to retain the Ashes," he said.
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"We will take many lessons from this tour and are determined to improve quickly. Our focus is on regaining the Ashes in 2027. A thorough review of the campaign is already underway. This will cover tour planning and preparation, individual performance and behaviours, and our ability to adapt and respond effectively as circumstances require."
Brendon McCullum after England's loss. Getty
In the aftermath of the SCG result, many former players haven't held back in their criticism.
Commentator Jonathan Agnew delivered a stinging take in his column for the BBC, calling for heads to roll.
"Forget the batting in Perth or bowling in Adelaide, I go back to 24 July 2025 as the moment England lost this series," he wrote.
"I remember how furious I was that day - the day pre-series preparations of nets and one intra-squad warm-up were announced - because we all knew England's plans were not sufficient to win an Ashes series here.
"It beggars belief it was signed off by those at the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). Whoever did so, whether director of cricket Rob Key, chief executive Richard Gould or someone else, should lose their job."
England's director of cricket, Rob Key. Getty
Former England captain Geoffrey Boycott was also scathing for The Telegraph, referring to Rob Key, Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes as "three stooges".
"This was a slapstick tour riddled with mistakes and they deserved to lose," he wrote.
"I just think Brendon has taken us as far as he can and we need someone else to take England to the next level. So many of us keep saying we love the brand of cricket England play. It would be churlish not to but for heaven's sake read the match and judge when it is the moment to play with caution and common sense."
