They landed in Perth expecting to challenge Australia but after a 4-1 defeat and more off-field revelations, the laid-back approach of McCullum’s regime is in the ECB’s sights
It was billed as “the series of our lives” by Brendon McCullum but as he and Ben Stokes looked over towards the podium to watch Steve Smith and Pat Cummins lift the crystal Ashes trophy under an azure sky, the optimism that preceded this failed campaign felt a lifetime ago.
They landed in Perth two months ago with what they and many thought was an aggressive, dynamic England side, finally ready to challenge Australia’s ageing champions after three miserable tours. Cue a 4-1 humbling, offset by one maelstrom win in Melbourne but with the Ashes already lost in 11 days.
This was the final day of English regret, the last rites only salt in wounds when at 2.30pm, Alex Carey iced the target of 160 with a succulent cover drive, five wickets down. It was never truly in doubt, with Stokes standing there helpless at slip after another injury, for ever wishing he had more runs to work with; that catches had stuck earlier in the match, or that his batters had made better use of a good pitch in their first innings.
There were positives in the match. Jacob Bethell stretched his maiden Test century to 154, an innings of rare quality from a rookie that fulfilled the prophecies of Sir Garfield Sobers and Brian Lara growing up. Josh Tongue finished with 18 wickets at 20 runs a pop, Australia’s struggles with his angle and pace hopefully imbuing him with belief for future encounters.
