Vaughan predicts Ashes whitewash

England have been left firmly on the back foot after two comprehensive defeats at the hands of a resurgent Australian team, and former skipper Michael Vaughan predicts a five-nil drubbing.

England have been left firmly on the back foot after two comprehensive defeats at the hands of a resurgent Australian team, and former skipper Michael Vaughan predicts a five-nil drubbing.

Alistair Cook's men have been out-batted, out-bowled and out-fielded in both tests. Unfortunately, it doesn't get any easier for them in third test in Perth on Friday, a venue where Australia have won their last six Tests against the English.

Vaughan said on <i>TMS</i> in the wake of the Adelaide defeat: "England look as if they are petrified of the ball and that is a real worry. I can't see any other result than 5-0 the way this England team are playing."

He added: "The Australians have played a great brand of cricket.

"If England are getting out playing the pull shot on a slow wicket, what's it going to be like at the WACA? It's the worst case scenario, a horrible environment to be in when you start losing."

Vaughan believes more effort is needed form the senior English players, adding: "But the senior lads have to step up to the plate – Joe Root as a young player almost pointed the finger at the senior players and said 'lads, this is how you do it'. The senior players are the ones who have to get England out of the mess they're in."

Another former England skipper who made his debut against Australia, Geoffrey Boycott, echoed Vaughan's thoughts.

He said: "You can't win a test match if you can't bat. If you don't make decent scores you don't give your bowlers a chance and that's the problem. We don't seem to have a mindset to stay in and make them bowl you out."

England have only managed one score above the 200 mark in the series so far.

"We're playing like it's a 50-over match. It's crash, bang, wallop and out and that won't win Test matches" said Boycott.

The third Test starts at the WACA on Perth on Friday.

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