Mark Butcher has countered predictions of 5-0 Ashes win-margins, asserting that those predictions are based on "false patriotism" rather than realistic expectations.
Speaking on Wisden Cricket Weekly podcast, Butcher said that he "despised" the pre-Ashes war of words. "I think we get pitched into this cycle ever since the early days of the McGrath 5-0 predictions, no matter what, where it was home or away," said Butcher. "There's a certain amount of false patriotism that goes into the prediction stage of the build-up, which is another reason why I despise it.
"It becomes almost like 'our media, or our ex-players have to go out there and stand up and say we're going to smash you 5-0', and it's all just nonsense."
Several pundits on both sides have predicted whitewashes. In a repeat to his predictions for previous series, McGrath has backed Australia to win 5-0, citing England's track record and Australia's bowling attack as key factors. Former player, pundit and coach David Lloyd plumped for England inflicting their first ever whitewash in Australia. While Australia will be without Pat Cummins for at least the first Test, England go into the series having not won an Ashes Test in Australia since 2011.
"My concern has always been, can we score enough runs in order to support that bowling lineup?" said Butcher. "Is Root going to have the kind of series that he so desperately wants and that his talent says that he should have?
"Are the other batters whose default position is to attack, are they in their first real test in Ashes series' away from home as senior players, are they going to be able to go out there and produce in those conditions? So therefore any prediction of an England win overseas needs to be tempered with the idea that you're 2-0 down before you've even taken a breath.
⚠️ False patriotism in Ashes predictions? pic.twitter.com/FDq9aR1gFX
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) October 30, 2025
"We should just be a bit more level about the whole thing and look at it through the prism of reality rather than beating your chest and saying we're going to go down there and smash them because it creates good headlines in The Courier or whatever it is in Brisbane."
England go into the series having drawn with India on home soil in their latest Test assignment. After drawing the Ashes on home soil in 2019 and 2023, they haven't held the urn since losing it in Australia in 2017/18. Aside from the injury to their captain, Australia go into the series with questions over the makeup of their top order. However, Australia haven't lost a home Test series since losing to India in 2020/21.
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