England may lack ‘killer instinct’ needed for Ashes – Langer

Former Australia head coach Justin Langer believes that England may lack the killer instinct to win the Ashes this winter.

Before leaving in 2022, Langer, 54, won four Ashes series as a player and was unbeaten in two as a coach.

England and Australia played a crucial part in the UK 2-2 draw this summer, and they also played a crucial part in the final game of the series against Australia at 2-2 in 2023.

On the BBC Sounds’ For the Love of Cricket podcast, Langer stated, “It’s going to be a really, really close series. Have you got the killer instinct to win a series if you have a chance, England, please?

In the previous Ashes series, two-all against India, we saw it, “we’ve seen it, the two-all here.”

“That series had the best chances,” England said. Have you developed the deadly instinct to defeat Australia in the Ashes? The big question will be about that.

England only have won one Ashes series there since 1987, including a 3-1 victory in 2010-11.

Since their previous three attempts to lose without winning a match, Langer believes the tourists will need to be aggressive to get through the tour, which kicks off with the first Test in Perth on November 21.

Call it Bazball or “the aggressive approach,” England must “play” it in Australia, in my opinion. No question, because it will put pressure back on, he said.

“The only players who defeated Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath were those who attacked them,” said one player. No one did it, so they hated it and reacted accordingly.

Gabba’s second test will take place in Brisbane on December 4 through 8th.

Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, December 17-21

26-30 December, MCG, Melbourne, MCG, Fourth Test