Former Victorian Bushrangers wicketkeeper Darren Berry has stung England over their disastrous Ashes defence this summer.
Australia reclaimed the urn today after smashing the visitors in the Third Test in Perth by an innings and 41 runs, taking an unassailable 3-0 series lead into the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne next week.
Berry says the fact that England gave up the Ashes without any real threat to the home side has fallen way short of the exciting anticipation heading into the First Test in Brisbane.
“England have barely given a yelp,” the former First Class cricketer told SEN Drive.
“One night in Adelaide where the ball was swung, (James) Anderson and (Stuart) Broad were enormous.
“Apart from that, they’ve been bloody disappointing.”
Berry says that he expects out-of-form veteran opener Alastair Cook to play out the remaining two Tests of the series before retiring from the game at the end of play in Sydney.
“Not many players in any sport earn the right to go out on their terms,” he said.
“My gut feel is that he won’t want to go out losing the Ashes in Perth where he has made 7 and 14. I think his fight would say, I want to play in Melbourne and Sydney and then, if he goes, it will be at the end of the Ashes.”
Berry also predicts fast-bowler James Anderson to be moved on at the conclusion of the series, believing the visitors will now look to their youth to rebuild the side.
“It might be time that they go, you know what, we’ve got to move in a new direction and try and build a team for the next time we get a crack at these Aussies, because this one has been dismal by England,” he said.
“They have some decent young batsman in their system for sure. There’s always players to take over.”
Listen to Darren Berry chatting with the boys on SEN Drive in the player below: