Racing
League
Rugby
Cricket
Golf
Motorsport
Combat Sports
Football
Netball
Basketball
Other Sports
Sport Nation
SELECT 👉 Bay Oval feed
McGain: “Tone deaf” England have not listened
SEN • December 22nd, 2025 11:16 am
Former Australian spinner Bryce McGain cannot believe England’s naive approach to this Ashes series.
The Poms have continually gone about their business in their very own way and although it has worked at times, ultimately they find themselves 3-0 down on Australian shores.
McGain was referencing Jamie Smith’s gung-ho dismissal on Day 5 of the Adelaide Test when he holed out attempting to find the boundary once again after hitting four consecutive fours on his way to 60.
Smith’s wicket dampened England’s run chase which ended 82 runs short and allowed the Aussies to retain the urn.
It was a “tone deaf” approach, as it has been all series, according to McGain.
“He just got carried away, and I guess the Australians know that,” McGain said on SEN Breakfast.
“They know in these conditions you don’t need to do it, you’ve just got to keep extending.
“He’s gone 4,4,4,4, he’s blazing it everywhere, and then it’s done, it’s over. Had he kept going with the formula...
“I think the thing England aren’t getting, and there’s been articles written about it, but they’re tone deaf for the knowledge that everyone is giving them.”
McGain believes England have buried their heads in the sand and have simply not listened to any advice on offer.
“Steve Smith has said you can’t play in Australia the way they (England) do, you just can’t do it. So Steve Smith told them,” he continued.
“Mitchell Starc said to the bowling lineup it’s one thing to bowl with a Duke’s ball in England on soft wickets. Here is like bowling on concrete, and it hurts, and it’s painful. That’s what they’re going to have to do Test after Test after Test.
“They haven’t been able to do it. They can’t stand up to the rigours, they’re not prepared.
“Their former captain Michael Vaughan - who had success over here - said this is how you need to play, and they’re not doing it.
“They’re not listening, they’re tone deaf, they’ve got cotton wool in their ears. All the advice has been presented to them. You need to respect where you’re playing.”
McGain says England have acted like they know better, and it’s bitten them on the bum.
“The Kookaburra ball gets old and soft, so there’s no point going dashing at the top of the order. It will get old and soft and batting becomes easier, it will happen,” McGain said further.
“But no, no, no - their top order knows better. All the advice has been given to you and they’ve been shoving cotton wool in their ears and they don’t listen.
“That’s why they are 3-0 down. All the answers have been presented to them. But they haven’t listened, they knew better.
“They don’t know better, and they’ve been shown up for it in the spotlight. It’s nearly embarrassing the amount of good quality advice, even from the Australian camp, and they thought they knew better.”
The fourth Test at the MCG kicks off on Boxing Day this Friday.
