Ashes 2021-22: There's Going To Be People's Careers On The Line: Steve Harmison

Former England player Steve Harmison said that many England players’ careers will be on the line after the Ashes.

On Tuesday, Australia handed England a humiliating defeat by an innings and 14 runs as the hosts were relentless and aggressive with their bowling execution.

Debutant Scott Boland, who is the local player of Melbourne, scripted remarkable figures of six wickets for seven runs. England were bundled up for 68 inside the first session as Australia clinched the series 3-0 to retain the Ashes.

There’s going to be a big inquest: Steve Harmison

Australia made 267 in the first innings as Marcus Harris regained his form to post a 189-ball 76. Australia’s total in the first innings happens to be the lowest to win a men’s Test by an innings in this century.

“You can see Australia bowl well, which they have done but to lose by an innings when the team only gets 263 runs (in the first innings),” Harmison said on BT Sport.

“That tells you all about where this series has been, England have dropped catches, the things have gone for Australia because they have earned the right to get their decisions in their favour.

“There’s going to be a big inquest, there’s going to be people’s careers on the line,” he added.

Australia never let England settle right from the start of the first Test in Brisbane where they won by nine wickets inside four days.

Steve Harmison Heaps Praise Over Australia

They followed their success with a 275-run victory in Adelaide despite some dogged resistance by Jos Buttler to delay the result.

Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood weren’t available for the Adelaide Test because of various reasons. Jhye Richardson and Michael Nesser stood up for the occasion and complemented Mitchell Starc in the bowling unit.

Richardson scalped five wickets in the second innings to fold up England’s innings on 192. Harmison applauded Australia for their relentless efforts in the first three matches.

“They’ve been magnificent as painful for the Englishmen this year, not only have they been right in the preparation, they have been right in the selection, they have bowled the right areas, they took catches. That’s why they won the Ashes,” Harmison said.

Australia will play against England in the fourth Test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground, starting on January 5.

Also Read: Ashes 2021-22: England’s Planning Has Been Completely Wrong, Asserts Ricky Ponting