Ashes whitewash: a serving of humble pie for English pundits

Then and now: how former England players have changed their tune after Australia mauling

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(Image credit: 2014 AFP)

ENGLAND'S Ashes humiliation is complete after Australia secured a devastating 5-0 whitewash in Sydney over the weekend, bowling out the tourists for 155 and 166 to win by 281 runs. In the wake of England's sorry collapse, the pundits are lining up to explain how it all went wrong for Alistair Cook's men. However, none of them saw the capitulation coming and their comments now are in stark contrast with what they were saying a few months ago. Ian BothamDaily Mirror, July: "I haven't seen anything to remotely make me feel as though I need to change my initial prediction of a double 5-0. There is simply no department in which I think Australia have got an edge over England... Unless [Darren] Lehmann is also Professor Albus Dumbledore in his spare time he cannot wave a magic wand and turn this Australian team into world beaters."Daily Mirror, January: "It has been a weak and feeble effort from a group of players who should understand what the bare minimum requirements are for a Test cricketer... Some serious questions need to be asked about this set-up and this team."

Michael Vaughan Daily Telegraph, August: "This England team can... set their sights on the world No 1 spot held by South Africa. They are beating a team ranked No 4 in the world... But this England side have everything in their armoury to be the team of an era. No other England team have managed that."Daily Telegraph, January: "England require a different approach going forward in terms of leadership and management of the group. If Andy Flower stays that is fine, and Alastair Cook deserves the chance to rebuild a team completely demoralised by Australia."

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