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5-0 England: Legend predicts Ashes whitewash amid Aussie woes
SEN • October 23rd, 2025 12:00 pm
Never one to shy away from making a bold statement, former England cricketer David Lloyd has forecast a 5-0 Ashes whitewash for the visitors amid an Australian line-up crisis.
With four weeks to go before the five-Test series gets underway in Perth, Lloyd is convinced England have the upper hand in attacking stakes and stability.
Australia’s top order and opening line-up has been under a cloud of doubt since they lost the World test Championship to south Africa in June.
Marnus Labuschagne was dropped after a dismal run with Sam Konstas brought in as his replacement for the West Indies tour.
The then 19-year-old endured an equally miserable time, averaging just 8.3 runs across six innings.
The uncertainty around Australia’s openers mixed with a trifecta of injuries to Pat Cummins, Cam Green and Beau Webster has Lloyd convinced, this could be England time.
“I hate predictions, I can’t be doing with them,” Lloyd told SENQ Breakfast. “But I’m gonna turn into Glenn McGrath, it’s going to be 5-0 England.
“I was told that’s never ever been done.”
"Why?", he was asked by Ian Healy.
“It’s dead simple,” Lloyd said. “If you come up against a team better than you in their backyard, you will suffer.
“Our guys right now, there’s a real sense that we can do something here.
“We’ve come over there and lost before. 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, that Australia are at sixes and sevens with the lineup, who will open, who is 3, does Marnus come back in etc.
“Then there’s a really great match up between two of the best in the world with Joe Root and Steve Smith.
“Whoever comes out on top of those two will have a real influence on the series.”
Asked for his thoughts on the opening conundrum currently being faced by the Australian selectors, Lloyd said none of the names being talked about – Jake Weatherald, Matt Renshaw, Konstas and Marnus Labuschagne – will have England quaking in their boots.
“All the talk seems to be about Konstas,” Lloyd said. “Has he got substance behind him? It’s a big deal to shove a kid in to open. Fair dinkum, if he gets into the side then fair do’s.
“If I’m England coach and the team, am I worried about them? None of the names are going to up on the whiteboard.
“I’m not worried about any of those names.”
“Head and Smith are the names that will be on the England whiteboard. They’re dangerous, they are game changers.”
