Ashes 2025-26: ‘Day three in Sydney felt like the end of an era for England’

The fighters in England exist in a world without consequences, and therefore in a world without responsibility. There have been three different bowling coaches in just over a year, which has led to an offense that can’t execute the plan. Fielding drills are often limited to slip catching and Jimmy Smith is rarely seen practicing his save.

McCollum’s methods are ingrained and creating culture is his superpower. He is well suited to revitalize an ailing team, just as he did for England nearly four years ago.

Perhaps, in hindsight, the ideal time for his departure would have been the end of the previous Ashes. He ran the ship and could have handed over the reins to a more precise captain capable of taking England to the next level. Sydney are on course for a 14th defeat in 28 matches since.

It has been suggested that McCollum may have had additions to the staff imposed on him. It’s hard to see how any head coach could be forced to work in the backroom without feeling undermined.

Stokes has publicly supported McCollum as he should. If Stokes has strong feelings about who the coaching staff is, he should be listened to. The captain can certainly see where his team has failed, and where they need to toughen up.

The immediate future is unclear. England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Richard Thomson and chief executive Richard Gould were in Sydney to watch the Gray finale. Director of cricket Rob Key will bear just as much responsibility as McCullum and is at similar risk of losing his job.

This English system has escaped criticism for past results, mostly because means of mitigation have been found.

England forced a follow-on against New Zealand in Wellington in 2023 and lost, but it has been lauded as a classic one-run match. A 2-0 downfall in the Ashes of the same year was masked by Jonny Bairstow’s deft and combative 2-2.

Series defeats in India and Pakistan in 2024 were explained by historic struggles in batting and bowling spin. The disappointment of a 2-2 draw with India last summer was lost to Chris Woakes’ one-armed heroics at The Oval.

More than anything else, the assessment of the paceball era has been conservative because this English management has asked for it to be judged on this Ashes series.

That ruling is now. There is more cricket to be played, but this seemed like the end.