Ashes: Former Australian pacer Glenn McGrath questions England's approach after Adelaide loss

England skipper Ben Stokes (third from left) leads his team off the field on Day One of the third Test in Adelaide last week. Pic/Getty Images

Former Australia pacer Glenn McGrath questioned England's approach after the visitors were handed defeat in the third Test of the Ashes series as hosts Australia on Sunday claimed the series 3-0 and retained the Ashes. Australia stormed to an 82-run victory in the Adelaide Test, sealing the series after winning their third consecutive Test of the campaign.

No shortage of quality

McGrath believes there was no lack in quality of the England players; rather, it's the mentality that is putting them down. The Australian great labelled captain Ben Stokes and Joe Root as the greatest of their generation, but noted that they are yet to win a Test match in Australia.

Glenn McGrath. Pic/AFP

Stokes yet to win in Oz

"I do not believe England's long barren run in Australia is down to the quality of their players. Think of all the men who have been part of England's Ashes teams since they last won in Australia. Alastair Cook, Kevin Pietersen, James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Jofra Archer. The list goes on. Joe Root and Ben Stokes, the cornerstones of this current team and two of the greatest to ever play for England, have never won a Test here. If this long winless streak is not down to ability, it must be down to mentality," McGrath wrote in a column for BBC Sport.

The Boxing Day Test at the MCG begins on Friday, and McGrath has urged England to adapt their style of play, predicting a strong fightback from the visitors as they embrace the challenge of performing in front of a crowd of nearly 1,00,000 spectators.

"If we're talking about mentality, it will not get any easier for England. They are due to play in front of 1,00,000 spectators at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The Boxing Day Test is an institution, and the atmosphere will be electric. It will be a tough place to be an English cricketer. England should embrace the challenge, react to it, and enjoy it. It could be a valuable lesson for the players who come back to Australia in four years," he said.

18
No. of Tests England have gone without a win in Australia after 2010-2011

17
No. of Tests Joe Root has played in Australia, all without a win - the second-most matches for any player after South Africa's Dudley Nourse
(20 Tests at home)

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever