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“Go home now…”: Ex-England all-rounder warns Ben Stokes and co of a 0-5 Ashes whitewash

Aakash Saini

Ben Stokes and Ian Botham [Source: @SpreadingVibes4, @MarkFow74007631/x]Ben Stokes and Ian Botham [Source: @SpreadingVibes4, @MarkFow74007631/x]

The English cricket team got humbled by Australia in the first Test of the 2025-26 Ashes series at the Optus Stadium in Perth last week. In a low-scoring affair that lasted less than two days, Mitchell Starc (7-58) and firebrand batter Travis Head (123 off 83 in the run-chase) bulldozed the visiting Englishmen as Australia took an early lead in the series.

Notably, in spite of the fast-paced nature of the Perth surface, England batters remained adamant and dedicated to their so-called ‘BazBall’ approach, a decision that has not gone down well with former England cricketer and legendary all-rounder Ian Botham.

Ian Botham wants England to reconsider its strategy

Former England all-rounder Ian Botham minced no words in his criticism for the travelling English troops in Australia for the 2025-26 Ashes series. Reflecting on England’s first Test defeat, Botham chastised the team’s ‘BazBall’ approach and has urged Ben Stokes and co. to “fire up quickly”.

While speaking with the PA News Agency, he said:

“It was horrendous, there's no other word for it. England need to fire up and fire up quickly. I'm fed up of hearing, 'this is the way we play'. If I hear it once more, I think I'll throw something at the television.”

Ian Botham also added that the England team might as well return home now if they are going to stick with their aggressive approach on bouncy Australian surfaces. Botham even warned Ben Stokes and co. of a possible 0-5 defeat, saying:

“If that's the way you play, you might as well go home now because it's going to be 5-0. They probably won't like me saying that but they need to need to get their heads around it. I want more pride when I see people pulling that sweater on.”

Trailing 0-1 in the 2025-26 Ashes, England will now travel to the Gabba in Brisbane for a Day-Night affair with hopes of levelling the series.

The second Test will be played between December 4 and December 8 next week.