CRICKET: 'Hubris has taken over': England's McCullum under fire after Ashes defeat

ADELAIDE, Australia – England’s red-ball coach Brendon McCullum came under intense criticism from former players and captains on Sunday after his team suffered another heavy Ashes defeat to Australia.

The hosts secured an 82-run victory in the third Ashes Test at Adelaide Oval, retaining the urn with two matches remaining in the series.

Following eight-wicket losses in Perth and Brisbane, England have now lost the Ashes in three matches for the fourth consecutive tour of Australia. The defeat also marked their 16th loss in their last 18 Test matches on Australian soil.

The comprehensive nature of the defeat wiped out any lingering optimism surrounding the England side, who many had tipped as early favorites when the series began just weeks ago.

In a scathing column for The Telegraph, former England batter Geoffrey Boycott said the high-risk philosophy adopted under McCullum and captain Ben Stokes — dubbed “Bazball” — had run its course.

“Hubris has taken over from common sense and that cannot be allowed to continue,” Boycott wrote. “Stokes and McCullum are like men digging a hole to nowhere. If what you are doing isn’t working, then stop digging.

“Change is absolutely necessary to step up to the next level. What would I do? Change the coach. We are tired of this duo talking a good game but not delivering against the best teams, so (team director) Rob Key, it is time for you to assert yourself.”

Boycott added that Stokes should be challenged on his approach as captain.

“I would also sit down with Stokes and find out if he will compromise on his approach to batting and be prepared to embrace new ideas. You do not want to lose him, but if he doesn’t see that a change of attitude is needed, then you have to find a new captain,” he said.

Heads Will Roll, Says Vaughan

England’s limited preparation for the Ashes tour had already drawn heavy criticism, with the visitors playing just one warm-up match — against England Lions at Perth’s Lilac Hill — before the opening Test.

England were bowled out for 172 and 164 in the first Test, which they lost inside two days.

“It’s mainly about the intensity of Ashes cricket,” former England captain Nasser Hussain said on Sky Sports. “You’re not going to replicate that by playing a small warm-up game at Lilac Hill.

“Come here early and play against anyone who gives you intense cricket on pitches that bounce. That’s why sides come here — and England got found out on two bouncy pitches. Then they arrive here in Adelaide and play reasonably well for the last two days, but that’s too late.”

Former England captain Michael Vaughan also criticized the team’s approach in his column for The Telegraph.

“The whole approach of this England side has been badly exposed on this Ashes tour, and you don’t have to look far into history to know that heads will roll after a defeat like this,” Vaughan wrote.

“With defeat inside 11 days, it’s the worst Ashes tour I can remember in Australia.” -Reporting by Aadi Nair in Nashik, India; Editing by Ken Ferris/Reuters