Former Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath has weighed in on England's persistent struggles in Australia, suggesting a
significant shift in mentality is crucial for future success. His comments come amidst England's current Ashes tour
where they are already down 3-0, extending their winless streak in Australia to 18 Tests.
McGrath acknowledges the talent within the England squad, pointing to players like Alastair Cook, Kevin Pietersen, James
Anderson, Stuart Broad, Joe Root, and Ben Stokes. He argues that the issue isn't the quality of players, but rather
their perception of touring Australia. He notes the common narrative among English players focusing on the difficulties
of the tour, including sledging, hostile crowds, and challenging conditions. McGrath contrasts this with the Australian
perspective, where an Ashes tour of England is seen as a career pinnacle, despite its own set of challenges.
The former Australian great emphasizes the importance of embracing the challenge and enjoying the experience, rather
than viewing it as an insurmountable obstacle. He believes that adopting a positive and resilient mindset, similar to
the Australian 'never give up' attitude, is essential for England to break their losing streak. McGrath recalls his own
experiences, highlighting the Australian belief that a game can be won from any position.
He criticizes the English saying, 'It's the hope that kills you,' advocating for unwavering hope and determination. This
difference in mentality, according to McGrath, is a key factor separating the two teams. He suggests that England needs
to remove these mental blocks before the next Ashes series in Australia in 2029-30.
In the immediate context of the current series, McGrath notes that England showed some adaptability in the third Test,
but questions why it took two defeats for them to adjust their approach. He acknowledges the daunting prospect of
playing in front of a large, partisan crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground for the Boxing Day Test, urging England to
embrace the challenge and use it as a learning opportunity. He believes salvaging something from this tour, even
avoiding a 5-0 whitewash, would be a significant improvement and could influence discussions about the future of the
McGrath concludes that a change in mentality is paramount for England to achieve success in Australia. Without it, he
predicts a likely 5-0 defeat.