Ashes 2021-22: Michael Vaughan and Ian Botham ‘embarrassed’ on England's dismal show

England lost the Boxing Day Test by an innings and 14 runs. Scott Boland, who made his Test debut for Australia in this match had a bowling figure of six for seven in the second innings. His spell helped Australia bundle out the English attack for 68 runs.

Boland won the player of the match award for his bowling performance. He received the Mullagh medal which is awarded to the best player of the Boxing Day Test from 2020. Last year, India won the Boxing Day Test and the medal was won by Ajnikya Rahane, who made a century in the first innings.

Former England captains Michael Vaughan and Ian Botham felt “embarrassed” by the way England has played in this series. It was the fastest for either of the teams to win the Ashes urn in the history of this glorious tournament.

“It’s not easy in these times, the England side didn’t have a great preparation but if you want to look for excuses, you can,” Vaughan told Fox Cricket.

“I’m a little embarrassed,” said Botham.

“To lose the Ashes in 12 days, I don’t know if that’s the fastest, but it’s got to be very close to it. I just think that England have lost their way. The performance today summed it up for me, I think you’ve got enough time to get a couple of players in from the Lions tour because we need to freshen it up, at the moment it’s stagnating,” Botham added.

English system doesn’t allow young players to develop: Michael Vaughan

Vaughan further said that the English system doesn’t give enough chance to develop and play at the highest level. He also mentioned that the situation might get worse after James Anderson and Stuart Broad retire.

“England are a long way short and it could take some even worse times – (Stuart) Broad and (Jimmy) Anderson are going to retire soon – before it gets better,” Vaughan said.

“We’re not a good enough cricketing nation to take our eye off the ball in Test cricket and expect to arrive and play (in Australia). I would say with the group that I’ve seen and the way they’re playing, I’d be amazed if (Australia) don’t beat England in English conditions in 2023,” Vaughan added.