Ashes 2021-22: It's A Wake-Up Call For Some Players, Says Graham Thorpe

England’s assistant coach Graham Thorpe said that players have started working on enhancing their batting technique. England have already lost the Ashes 2021-22 to Australia as the hosts have an unassailable lead of 3-0. England’s weakness was their dismal batting performance against Australia’s strong bowling unit.

Barring skipper Joe Root and Dawid Malan, other batters have struggled to cross 40 in the three games so far. All-rounder Chris Woakes being the only third batter to breach the mark during the Adelaide Test.

England’s top-order has been under fire with runs; although Zak Crawley replaced Rory Burns in the third Test there was no change in terms of output.

They’re having to face that reality: Graham Thorpe

Thorpe, who will take the charge of the England team in the next Test in Chris Silverwood’s absence, said that it is an alarming situation for young players in this England side to work on their performance

“With some players, it’s a wake-up call and could actually kick-start their careers because they’ve started training in a very different way. They don’t waste time fluffing, hitting half-volleys,” Thorpe told reporters.

“They’ve come up against some very good bowling attacks, who have been able to have a little watch of them and see where some of their Achilles’ heels are, and they’re having to face that reality,” he added.

We’re trying to still educate some of the younger guys: Graham Thorpe

Thorpe explained that most of the players need to adapt according to international level standards and upgrade themselves from what they have played in the domestic circuit.

“County cricket is what it is, you’ve got to lift players out of there, then educate them in international cricket. When I look at the batting in general, I try to teach the basics of the game,” Thorpe asserted.

“We’re trying to still educate some of the younger guys into… the rhythm of Test batting, playing situations in the game, doing it for long periods. Some of them haven’t been able to do it yet. Some people’s journeys are in different places,” he further added.

England will play against Australia in the fourth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), the match starts on January 5.

Also Read: Ashes 2021-22: It’s An Honor To Be Asked To Come Down And Help The Boys – Adam Hollioake Joins England’s Coaching Staff For The 4th Test