The famous urn feels further away than ever. In the third Ashes Test of 2025, England’s familiar demons have resurfaced with brutal clarity—fragile batting, questionable tactics, and now, a Snicko controversy that’s casting doubt on the very fabric of decision-making. Facing a dominant Australian side that posted 371, England slumped to 213 for 8, trailing by 158 runs with three days still to go .
For a team that promised transformation under Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes, this performance feels like a regression. And with Australia needing just a draw to retain the Ashes, the pressure is mounting on every English batsman, captain, and selector. This isn’t just about one match—it’s about credibility, legacy, and whether the so-called ‘Bazball’ revolution can survive its toughest test yet.
Table of Contents
- Ashes 2025: The State of the Series
- England’s Batting Collapse: What’s Going Wrong?
- The Snicko Controversy: What Happened?
- Can England Still Win the Series?
- Leadership Under Fire: Stokes and McCullum’s Challenge
- Conclusion: A Defining Moment for English Cricket
- Sources
Ashes 2025: The State of the Series
Heading into the third Test, England was already trailing 1–0 after a heartbreaking loss in the second match. Australia, playing at home and buoyed by a passionate crowd, set the tone early by posting a commanding 371 in their first innings—a total built on solid partnerships and patient batting, a stark contrast to England’s approach .
Now, with England reeling at 213/8, the hosts are firmly in control. Crucially, Australia only needs a draw to retain the Ashes—a low bar that puts immense psychological pressure on England to not just compete, but dominate on unfamiliar terrain. Three days remain, but time is not England’s ally unless the lower order stages a miracle.
England’s Batting Collapse: What’s Going Wrong?
The collapse wasn’t sudden—it was systemic. After early promise from Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, the middle order once again failed to convert starts into big scores. Harry Brook looked dangerous but fell to a loose shot. Joe Root, the rock of this side for over a decade, managed just 28 before edging behind .
This pattern raises serious questions about the sustainability of the aggressive ‘Bazball’ philosophy in Australian conditions:
- Over-aggression on seaming pitches: What works at Lord’s can be fatal at the MCG or Adelaide.
- Lack of technical resilience: Many English batsmen struggle with the moving ball outside off stump.
- Middle-order fragility: Since Stokes’ own form has waned, no one has consistently filled the No. 5–7 roles.
As former England captain Michael Atherton noted in a recent Times column, “You can’t out-bat Australia without first respecting the conditions.”
The Snicko Controversy: What Happened?
Adding fuel to the fire was a contentious dismissal involving Snickometer (Snicko) technology. During Australia’s innings, an English appeal for a catch behind was upheld on-field, but the third umpire, using Snicko, found no conclusive spike—yet the on-field call stood.
Later, in England’s innings, a similar edge was missed by Snicko, leading to confusion among fans and pundits alike. This inconsistency has sparked debate about the reliability of real-time Snicko in high-stakes matches. According to the ICC’s own protocols, Snicko should only be used when hotspot is unavailable—but its interpretation remains subjective .
The controversy has eroded trust in the DRS system at a time when every wicket matters. For England, a single misjudgment could be the difference between fightback and whitewash.
Can England Still Win the Series?
Mathematically, yes—but realistically, it’s a mountain to climb.
Even if England avoids an innings defeat in this Test, they’d need to win the final two matches outright to reclaim the urn. That’s a tall order considering:
- Australia hasn’t lost a home Ashes series since 2010–11.
- Pat Cummins’ pace attack is exploiting English technical flaws with surgical precision.
- England’s bowling, while spirited, lacks the consistency to bowl Australia out twice on flat pitches.
Unless Stokes produces another legendary innings or Jack Leach finds extravagant turn, the series is slipping away. [INTERNAL_LINK:ashes-series-history-england-australia]
Leadership Under Fire: Stokes and McCullum’s Challenge
Captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum are facing their biggest crisis. The ‘Bazball’ mantra—play fearlessly, entertain, win—has won hearts but not necessarily trophies in tough overseas conditions.
Critics argue that adaptability, not just aggression, defines great teams. Should Stokes have enforced more discipline? Should McCullum have prepared his batters for Australian seam and bounce? These questions are now central to England’s future direction.
As the former Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath recently remarked, “England’s trying to play T20 in a Test match. It won’t work in Australia.” Harsh, but not without merit.
Conclusion: A Defining Moment for English Cricket
The Ashes 2025 was meant to be England’s redemption arc—a chance to finally win Down Under after decades of heartbreak. Instead, it’s becoming a cautionary tale about overconfidence and under-preparation.
With the urn all but sealed in Australia’s hands and internal doubts growing, England must now ask: Is ‘Bazball’ a philosophy for all terrains, or just a home-ground phenomenon? The answer will shape English cricket for years to come.
Sources
- Times of India: Ashes: England’s struggles continue against Australia amidst Snicko controversy
- ICC Playing Conditions and DRS Guidelines: ICC Official Site
- The Times (UK): Analysis on England’s Batting Approach