Ashes: Ex-England cricketer makes baffling 5-0 prediction for the Test series | Cricket News
Former England cricketer David Llyod has predicted a 5-0 whitewash victory for England in the upcoming Ashes series in Australia, citing concerns about Australia’s batting lineup and emphasizing the crucial battle between Joe Root and Steve Smith. Speaking on SENQ Breakfast, Llyod discussed England’s prospects ahead of their away Ashes series starting November 21 in Perth, as they seek their first series win in Australia since 2010-11.“I hate predictions, I cannot be doing with them. I am going to turn into Glenn McGrath, it is going to be 5-0 England,” Llyod told FOX Cricket.
“It is dead simple. If you come up against a team better than you in their backyard, you will suffer. Our guys right now…there is a real sense that we can do something here,” he added.“We have come over here to Australia and played the Ashes and lost before because the other team is better. There is a real thought right now that England has a massive chance to win the Ashes in Australia,” Llyod continued.Australia faces uncertainty in their batting order, with multiple players competing for the opening position alongside Usman Khawaja, including Marnus Labuschagne, Sam Konstas, Matt Renshaw, and Jake Weatherland.The team is also dealing with questions about batting positions for Labuschagne, Smith, and all-rounders Cameron Green and Beau Webster, while captain Pat Cummins remains doubtful for the Perth Test due to back stress issues.
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“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 is 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,” Llyod explained.Steve Smith enters the series in strong form, having scored centuries against India and Sri Lanka in recent Tests, along with a crucial 66 against South Africa in the World Test Championship final.
