Not 5–0! Mitchell Johnson fires warning to Australia, backs England to avoid Ashes humiliation

The ongoing Ashes 2025-26 series may be slipping away from England, but a complete whitewash is still not guaranteed. Despite Australia taking a 2–0 lead with dominant victories in Perth and Brisbane, Mitchell Johnson believes that the ongoing five-match Test series still has room for a twist.

England went down in the ongoing Ashes because of the same problem. They were in the contest for the first two days, showing fight and intent, before losing control due to risky shot selection and poor temperament with the bat.

Mitchell Johnson believes Ashes 2025–26 is still open despite Australia’s 2–0 lead

Their aggressive approach, instead of putting pressure on Australia, ended up hurting them when patience was needed most. Johnson believes that skills and talent are not the issue for England, but the mindset and tactics are not matching the demands of Australian conditions. He pointed out that adaptability was the biggest lesson from the Brisbane Test.

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Joe Root’s century and Jofra Archer’s gritty first-innings 38 showed that they adjusted their game rather than forcing shots. And the former Australian fast bowler said that this ability to read situations and respond smartly is what England must now apply as a team to keep their hopes alive in the ongoing Ashes 2025-26.

Mitchell Johnson wrote in his column for The Times: “It was by being adaptable that they (Root and Archer) were able to do what they did, and if they take away anything from the last Test, they have to take that. Whether they can genuinely adjust their plans now I’m not sure. Some of England’s batting left you scratching your head. They have got the skills, no doubt. I don’t know what conversations they will have behind closed doors, but they need to adjust tactics and mindset fast.”

Mitchell Johnson predicts England can make a comeback in Adelaide

There is still a small window of hope for England in the upcoming third Test in Adelaide, where the conditions are usually different with less bounce and carry compared to Perth and Brisbane. The former Australian pacer reckoned that the Adelaide conditions could work in England’s favor if they are willing to temper their aggression and build innings with more control.

Johnson further wrote, “Conditions may well be different in Adelaide next week, where you don’t generally see the same bounce and carry, which might suit England.”

Meanwhile, the Australian side is on the top, having won both tests without captain Pat Cummins and without relying much on Nathan Lyon, who was barely needed in Perth and was left out in Brisbane. With both expected to return in Adelaide, Australia’s position only looks stronger.

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I don’t think it will be 5-0: Mitchell Johnson's prediction for Ashes 2025-26

Still, Johnson does not see the ongoing Test series unfolding like the brutal 5–0 Ashes defeat England suffered in 2013–14. He warned Australia against any complacency, saying England are not completely finished, and if they manage to reset mentally, adapt to conditions, and show better discipline, a fightback is still possible in the ongoing Ashes.

He signed off by saying, “Australia is obviously in a very strong position, but they won’t be complacent… This series doesn’t have the same feel as 2013-14, when Australia last won 5-0, but with Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon coming back, their momentum is strong. But if England gets it right, it’s not like they can’t come back. Perhaps too much psychological damage has already been done. I don’t think it will be 5-0, but clearly the potential is there.”