The ongoing Ashes 2025-26 series may be moving away from England, but a complete whitewash is still not guaranteed. Despite Australia taking a 2-0 lead with impressive wins in Perth and Brisbane, Mitchell Johnson believes there is still room for change in the ongoing five-match Test series.
Due to this problem, England lost in the current Ashes. They were in the contest, showing fight and intent for the first two days, before losing control due to risky shot selection and poor nature of the bat.
Mitchell Johnson believes Ashes 2025-26 still open despite Australia’s 2-0 lead
Instead of putting pressure on Australia, their aggressive approach hurt them when patience was needed most. Johnson believes that skill and talent are not the issue for England, but rather that mentality and tactics do not match the demands of Australian conditions. He said adaptability was the biggest lesson from the Brisbane Test.
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Joe Root’s century and Jofra Archer’s 38 in the first innings showed that he adjusted his game rather than forcing shots. And the former Australian fast bowler said it is this ability to understand situations and react smartly that England must now implement as a team to keep their hopes alive in the ongoing Ashes 2025-26.
Mitchell Johnson wrote in his column for The Times: “By being adaptable they (Root and Archer) were able to do what they did, and if they take anything from the last Test, they will have to take that. Whether they can really adjust their plans now, I’m not sure. Some of England’s batting makes you scratch your head. They have the skill, no doubt. I don’t know what conversations they have behind closed doors. “Will do, but they need to adjust tactics and mentality quickly.”
Mitchell Johnson predicts England can bounce back in Adelaide
There is still a small window of hope for England in the upcoming third Test in Adelaide, where conditions are generally different with less bounce and carry compared to Perth and Brisbane. The former Australian fast bowler admitted that the conditions in Adelaide could work in England’s favor if they are willing to tone down their aggression and build innings with more control.
Johnson further wrote, “Conditions may be different in Adelaide next week, where you may not see the same bounce and carry that you usually get, which may suit England.”
Meanwhile, the Australians are on top, having won both Tests without captain Pat Cummins and without relying much on Nathan Lyon, who was barely needed in Perth and was left out in Brisbane. With both expected to return in Adelaide, Australia’s position looks to be getting stronger.
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I don’t think it will be 5-0: Mitchell Johnson’s prediction for Ashes 2025-26
Still, Johnson does not view the current Test series as being like the brutal 5-0 Ashes defeat England suffered in 2013–14. He warned Australia against any complacency, saying that England were not completely finished and if they re-prepared mentally, adapted to the conditions and showed better discipline, a contest in the ongoing Ashes was still possible.
He said, “Australia are obviously in a very strong position, but they won’t be complacent… This series doesn’t have the same feel as 2013-14, when Australia last won 5-0, but with Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon back, their momentum is strong. But if England get it right, it’s not like they can’t come back. Perhaps too much psychological damage has already been done. I don’t think it will. 5-0, but clearly the possibility is there.”
