Veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has criticized Australia’s performance in the last three Ashes Tests against England, saying that they “lost the plot” and played too slowly. Ashwin, who is the world’s number-one ranked Test bowler, said that Australia should have kept its foot on the pedal after winning the first two Tests. Instead, he said, they “hit the brake at the wrong time” and allowed England to come back into the series.
“England retained the Ashes, but they have shown yet again that they are playing a form of cricket that is entertaining,” Ravichandran Ashwin said. “Australia, on the other hand, have shown that they are not as good as they think they are.”
Ravichandran Ashwin also suggested that Australia missed the services of Nathan Lyon in the last matches. Lyon, who is Australia’s leading Test wicket-taker, was injured during the Lord’s Test and was unable to bowl in the remaining three matches.
ALSO READ: “Sanju Samson is ready for the 2023 World Cup” – Mohammad Kaif
“Nathan Lyon was more like an important cog in the wheel,” Ravichandran Ashwin said. “It’s not easy to replace the cog in the wheel. This Ashes is a prime example of that. Once Lyon got injured, their attack became one-dimensional.”
Ravichandran Ashwin also questioned Australia’s team selection, saying that they should have played Todd Murphy in the Manchester Test where the surface provided some turns for the spinners.
“They played both (Mitchell) Marsh and (Cameron) Green in one Test,” Ravichandran Ashwin said. “They dropped Todd Murphy in Manchester where the ball usually turns.”
WATCH – KL Rahul Shares Video Of Diligent Wicket-Keeping Practice Ahead Of Comeback
Ravichandran Ashwin’s comments come after Australia drew the Ashes series 2-2. The series was widely praised for its entertainment value, with England’s “Bazball” approach contrasting sharply with Australia’s more traditional approach. Ashwin’s comments suggest that Australia may need to change their approach if they want to be successful in future Ashes series.
