Wisden editor gives scathing assessment of England Ashes defeat

England were “feckless, reckless and legless” on their dismal Ashes tour of Australia, according to the editor of the prestigious Wisden Almanack.

Ben Stokes’ side were beaten 4-1 on a trip dogged by poor on-field performances, sloppy preparation and allegations of a drinking culture.

Lawrence Booth delivered his damning assessment in the influential editor’s notes of the 163rd edition of the Almanack, which is published on Thursday.

“England arrived for the Ashes hell-bent on making history, and ended up being laughed out of town,” wrote Booth.

“England were feckless, reckless and legless. A trip supposed to define an era, described by Brendon McCullum as ‘the biggest series of all our lives’, descended into dilettantism. What a waste. What a shame.

“In the game’s long history, it is hard to think of a privilege so carelessly squandered, a chance so blithely spurned. A successful assault on Australia requires blood, sweat and tears, not dribs, drabs and vibes.”

England Test captain Stokes, head coach Brendon McCullum and director of cricket Rob Key remained in their posts following a review of the Ashes series conducted by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

Booth said England should have come clean much sooner about an incident involving white-ball captain Harry Brook on the tour of New Zealand that preceded the Ashes.

Brook was punched by a nightclub bouncer of the eve of a one-day international in Wellington in October, but the altercation did not come to light until it was reported in the Telegraph after the fifth Ashes Test in January.

“Three weeks before the Perth Test was plenty of time to hold Brook to account in public, and remind the players that they had a (well-paid) job to do in Australia,” said Booth.

“Four years after England’s previous Ashes misadventure had sparked headlines about a drinking culture, it was all depressingly familiar.”