Former England cricketer David Lloyd has channelled his inner Glenn McGrath by predicting an Ashes whitewash for the visitors when the series begins in Perth next month.
McGrath used to make bold declarations before touring teams came to Australia where he’d put the pressure on them by tipping huge victories that would invariably happen thanks to his work with the new ball.
But Lloyd has flipped the script and has backed England to win back the Urn with their first 5-0 Ashes series win.
“I hate predictions, I can’t be doing with them,” Lloyd told SENQ Breakfast.
“I’m going to turn into Glenn McGrath, it’s going to be 5-0 England (and then I was told it’s never been done).”
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England hasn’t won a Test in Australia since their famous 2010/11 series victory, but Lloyd can sense some weaknesses in the home side as they struggle to settle on their top order.
“It’s dead simple. If you come up against a team better than you in their backyard, you will suffer,” he said.
“Our guys right now…there’s a real sense that we can do something here.
“We’ve come over there to Australia and played the Ashes and lost before because the other team is better. There is a real thought right now that England have a massive chance to win the Ashes in Australia.
“They feel they have the attack, they feel that Australia are at sixes and sevens with the batting line-up, who will open, who is three, does Labuschagne come back in the team?
“Then there’s a really great match-up between two of the best in the world in Joe Root and Steve Smith.
“Whoever comes out on top in that will have a real influence on the series.”
The uncertainty at the top of the order is something England’s quicks will target this summer, with Lloyd claiming the tourists aren’t scared of the current crop of Australian openers.
That includes young gun Sam Konstas, who is unlikely to play in Perth, with Aussie legend Allan Border recently questioning his technique and his reliance on the ramp shot.
“All the talk seems to be about Konstas and has he got substance behind him? It’s a big deal to shove a young kid to open the batting in the Ashes,” Lloyd said.
“If I’m England coach or the England team, am I worried about them? Is it Matthew Hayden, is it Justin Langer, is it Michael Slater? No, it’s not. I don’t think any of the names are going to end up on the whiteboard.
“The names that will definitely be up there are (Travis) Head and Steve Smith. You look at those two players and they’re going to be dangerous players who are game changers.”
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