The claws are out in England for their struggling English cricketers with the visitors 2-0 down to Australia in the Ashes series.
Victory for the Aussies in Adelaide's third Test will seal the series, while a draw will ensure England can't win the five-Test series and urn will be retained.
'Bazball' - an attacking, positive style of cricket that has been named after English coach Brendon McCullum - is underfire with critics feeling like England have contributed significantly to their own demise so far.
Here are some of the takes from England cricket personalities and media on their nation's Ashes performance so far.
Sir Geoffrey Boycott
On Bazball in general
“Ben Stokes said England had a blueprint. They had been planning this tour for four years and know what they are doing. What a load of bulls---,” Boycott wrote for The Telegraph.
“We can’t believe anything Ben or his team say. None of them want to listen to anyone outside of their own camp.
“They are up their own backsides convinced that Test cricket has changed so much that only they know anything about the modern game.
“They won’t have it, but there is no substitute for competitive match cricket. That is where you find out what length to bowl on Australian pitches, what shots to use best on their surfaces and more importantly what not to do.
“One of the problems with this squad is it appears nobody tells them off or sits them down and discusses what they could or should have done differently.
“All we ever hear from the captain is attack and from the coach keep the faith. After some of those dismissals my Yorkshire captain Brian Close would have stood at the top of the pavilion steps with steam coming out of his ears waiting to give you a ‘knuckle sandwich’.”
On Harry Brook
“So far in tight situations Harry has let the team down by not getting England home for a win and when a match is in the balance he somehow doesn’t read that the moment calls for a little restraint,” he said.
“Every great team needs one maverick who can make magic but it has to help you win.
“So far in tough moments Harry hasn’t helped England win, in fact he has given his wicket away. You get the feeling he is batting with a disregard for the team situation.
“So far the penny has not dropped, maybe it never will. I hope not because it would be sad to watch a guy with once in a lifetime talent fail to grasp that the object is using that special talent is to win.”
On Will Jacks
“Will Jacks took an amazing one-handed catch to get rid of the dangerous Steve Smith and in the second innings he made a gutsy 41. But if he is a Test match cricketer,” Boycott said.
“No disrespect intended but he is a hit and giggle batsman in T20 and my Mum could play his bowling with my proverbial stick of rhubarb. There is no oomph or variation.”
Sir Ian Botham
On England's preparation for the second Test
"They missed a trick. They could have sent the team that was playing in this Test to Canberra and then at least they would have had some experience with the pink ball," Botham told Triple M.
"What did they do? 'Well, we don't need to'. Well, I suggest you do need to. You dropped five catches. They could've been ahead (in the game).
"If I was an England supporter and I'd paid the money to come here, I'd be asking the ECB for a refund. This team, to me, is not prepared. I don't think the bowlers are fit enough or strong enough.
"I think Ben Stokes was probably the pick of the bowlers because he kept running in and bowling longer spells, but we don't really want him to have to do that.
"We want the main bowlers to be able to do that, but they don't seem to be able to come back. They bowl five overs and then come back for a second spell and they're five or even 10 miles an hour slower. How's that work?"
Jonathan Agnew - journalist
On Bazball
“I think Bazball is unsustainable,” Agnew said on BBC’s Ashes Debrief.
“It did it’s job. First year, it picked up some broken players. Gort them enjoying cricket again, winning games and people loved watching it.
“It was good entertainment, but it’s unsustainable. You can’t play one-dimensional Test cricket and it’s now at the crunch. I think Bazball is dead and we’re going to see something different next time.”
Barney Ronay - journalist
On England's general performance
It is undeniably epic that England have spent years on selections who will be Good in Australia, resting players, millions on contracts, developing a weird cult ethos. All for these Ashes. And now that construct is being casually annihilated by a decent Aussie B team
— Barney Ronay (@barneyronay) December 7, 2025
Stephen Shemilt - journalist
On Bazball
“It is England’s batting that will cause the biggest recrimination,” Shemilt wrote for the BBC.
“If the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results, England have collectively lost their marbles and their wickets.
“Drive after drive. Edge after edge. Catch after catch. Bargain basement batting from a group playing like millionaires. Sachin Tendulkar once made 241 in Sydney by deliberately resisting the cover drive. This lot must think they are better than the Little Master.
“The Bazball empire is now at risk of capitulation.”