England cricket team’s secret weapon against Australia at The Ashes REVEALED

Lee Anderson chats with cricket legend Matthew Hoggard on GB News

Callum Vurley

By Callum Vurley


Published: 19/11/2025

- 16:35

Updated: 19/11/2025

- 16:53

Chris Woakes exclusively reveals how England can turn the tables Down Under

England's best chance of beating the Australians at The Ashes this series will be turning the country on their own.

That is the verdict from England legend Chris Woakes, who retired in September from international cricket after injury prevented him from being named in the squad this year.


England have not had much luck Down Under over the years, having won just twice in the last 38 years - the last time being in 2011.

And that series 14 years ago was the last time England even won a Test in Australia at The Ashes; losing 5-0, 4-0, 4-0 in the subsequent series away from these shores.

One thing England have struggled with is the level of support given to the Aussies from the home crowd, who often relentlessly give hell to the tourists.

That is also encapsulated by the media in Australia, who have already ramped up their efforts to undermine the England team with attacks on players such as Joe Root and Ben Stokes.

England must ignore the noise and play the man in Australia

England must ignore the noise and play the man in Australia

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PA

But the aggressive Australian media can be their country's biggest weapon and they have often turned on the team when things are not going their way.

While not Ashes-related, one infamous incident where this happened came during the 2018 ball-tampering scandal, where Aussie newspapers did not pull their punches - branding it a national disgrace.

Speaking exclusively to GB News, England legend Woakes reckons that winning over the Australian public might be head coach Brendon McCullum's best chance at victory.

He said: "You're not just taking on the Australian cricket team, you're taking on the Australian public as well.

"They really get behind their team, particularly at the beginning of the series, but they can turn on their team.

"That is the one thing that you have to try and do as an England team is try and win the public over almost by getting a couple of wins under your belt. Then they turn a little bit on their own."

Australia might be favourites but that could turn quickly if England win in Perth

Australia might be favourites but that could turn quickly if England win in Perth

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PA

England kickstart their Ashes campaign in Perth on Friday (23:30 GMT Thursday) with renewed confidence despite their poor record in Australia.

Stokes and McCullum taking charge has breathed new life into the Test team, utilising aggressive tactics and high risks to bring in an entertaining brand of cricket.

And while there have been moments of madness that has been made the average cricket fan tear their hair out, there have undoubtedly been unforgettable times already under the new regime.

And Woakes believes England have their best chance in years to finally end their Australian hoodoo

The Warwickshire bowler said: "I'm really, really excited, to be honest. I think we've got the best opportunity that we've had in a long time, going down under to hopefully bring the Ashes home.

"So, what has it been, 15 years since we since we last did it? So, yeah, I'm certainly optimistic, certainly on that.

"Sitting on that side of the fence, I believe we've got a great team that actually have got a genuine chance this time to go down under and sort of exploit Australian conditions, where I think in the past we've kind of gone with a team that hasn't really had that.

Chris Woakes has tipped England for success at The Ashes

Chris Woakes has tipped England for success at The Ashes

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PA

"The group has been building over a few years now to be able to get to this point. And they're obviously keen to get over the line in such an important series.

"But I say I reckon they'll be going in with a bit of confidence and there's not much baggage within the team.

"There's some players that have obviously had experience of Australia before, but there's a good core group of players that I suppose haven't got the scarring of previous Ashes tours, and I think that can only be a good thing."