The Ashes 2025-26: Glenn McGrath on the importance of Sydney Ashes Test
Although a 3-2 defeat would obviously be much better for England than 4-1, it would in many ways be even more frustrating because it would only heighten the sense of what could have been.
England could have won this series had they been mentally stronger and tactically better, given the Australian XIs they faced and the conditions they were in.
Of course they can’t think like that going into the next Test.
While a 3-2 scoreline would be frustrating, it could salvage things when this series is followed by a review of a win that is more important for the coaching staff than the players.
These players are good; like Harry Brook, whose talent is outstanding, or Zak Crawley, whose second-innings innings in Adelaide will give him a template for the future.
I’d hate for them to be thrown out during a riot.
The fact that England have shown that they have learned and adapted from the mistakes they made in Perth and Brisbane will reflect the work done by the technical team.
This is important going forward.
On the contrary, I hope that Australia are bitter after the defeat in Melbourne and use that to encourage them.
They have played very well to get to this point, coping impressively with captain Pat Cummins, front-line bowler Josh Hazlewood, spinner Nathan Lyon and Steve Smith being missing at times.
They took an important step to win the series, but you don’t want to take your foot off the gas.
Has Cummins been rested for Melbourne because he has real fitness concerns? If so, that’s fine, but it’s still an Ashes series. You have to put a high price on every Test match.
Jake Weatherald needs a score to secure his future having failed to pass 20 in any of his last four innings.
All-rounder Cameron Green will be under pressure to replace Beau Webster after his poor run, but I still think he will have a great career when he returns to Test cricket after his injury and I’m surprised Usman Khawaja hasn’t already announced this will be the 39-year-old’s last Test.
I retired along with Shane Warne and Justin Langer after the Sydney Test of the 2006-07 series. Damien Martyn also called time on his career early in the series.
Warney and I spoke before the Perth Test about the possibility of retiring, at which point we were 2-0 up. The last thing we wanted to do was make an announcement while the show was still on the air.
Our win in Perth, where Adam Gilchirst scored an incredible hundred, allowed us to explain our decisions, but it made the next two Tests even more important.
The way we finished so dominantly is something I’m really proud of.
Dead tires were never mentioned and there shouldn’t be any now.
As always, the Sydney Test will be a special occasion for me and my family.
This will be the 18th ‘Pink Test’ we have raised money for in the name of my late wife, Jane, and last year we expanded the charity’s scope to cover all forms of cancer as well as breast cancer.
It may be emotional, but it is a unique event in sports given its scale; I see this as a celebration of life.
I hope we get to play for more than two days this time…
