Glenn McGrath expects another clean sweep by Australia in the 2025-26 Ashes series

McGrath’s bold Ashes Prediction

Former Australian great Glenn McGrath believes that Australia will once again whitewash England by winning the upcoming Ashes series 5-0.

“It's very rare for me to make a prediction, isn't it? And I can't make a different one - 5-0,” McGrath told BBC Radio 5 Live. 

McGrath praised the fast bowling attack led by Australia's fast bowler Mitchell Johnson. He said that Australia has good bowlers like Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood and all of them are capable of bowling very well.

“I'm very confident with our team. When you've got Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon firing in their home conditions, it's going to be pretty tough,” McGrath added.

Glenn McGrath Prediction And Outcomes

There have been 16 Ashes series since Glenn McGrath’s debut. Among those 16, he played in seven. He has made a 5-0 prediction every time, barring once in 1997 when he made a 6-0 prediction. Even after his playing days were over, McGrath has made 5-0 predictions backing the Australian team to win each and every game against their arch-rivals. His predictions have only been spot on twice in 2006/07 (his last Ashes) and 2013/14. Both these occurrences occurred in Australia, where the 2025/26 series would be played.

Record number of spectators to attend ‘The Ashes’

Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg believes that the exciting matches that have been played in the Test series between India and England will have a positive impact on the upcoming Ashes series, and he expects a record number of spectators to attend it. The Ashes series between Australia and England will start in November.

As a fan, this cricket (the series being played between India and England for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy ) is worth watching. It will also have an impact on the Ashes and we will sell a lot of tickets. Apart from the Ashes, the series between India and Australia has the highest viewership in Australian history.

The Ashes record attendance is 946,750, set during the 1936-37 Ashes when Sir Donald Bradman was at his peak.

Greenberg said, “I am sure our English friends will come to watch the Ashes. We are eagerly waiting for it. I love the way they play cricket and I am excited to see how they perform on our grounds”.

PM XI against England

Australian Prime Minister XI will play a two-day day-night match against England Men's XI at Manuka Oval (Canberra) from 29 to 30 November. This match will be played with a pink Kookaburra ball, and this will be the 11th encounter of PM XI against England. Interestingly, for the first time, this match will be played in a day-night format, due to which there is a lot of excitement among the fans.

This match will be played right after the first test of the Ashes series between England and Australia, to be held in Perth from 21 to 25 November. After this, the England team will head to Brisbane, where the second test of the series will be played from 4 to 8 December. In such a situation, this match between PM XI and England XI will be an important opportunity for both teams to test their preparation and strategy.

Ashes 2025/26 Schedule

The five-match Ashes Test series between England and Australia will be played from 21 November to 8 January. Its schedule is as follows:

• First Test: 21-25 November, Perth
• Second Test: 4-8 December, Brisbane
• Third Test: 17-21 December, Adelaide
• Fourth Test: 26-30 December, Melbourne
• Fifth Test: 4-8 January, Sydney

It is worth noting that England last won the Ashes series in 2015. Since then Australia has won the series many times. The last Ashes series was a draw 2-2, which shows a close competition between the two teams. In such a situation, the excitement about this series is at its peak, and the PM XI vs England XI match will be an important match to set the mood for this series.

For some, McGrath's 5-0 predictions amount to playful mind games, an early salvo in the mental battle that precedes every Ashes series. For others, especially seasoned observers, they are grounded in recent history and a keen awareness of what it takes to win in Australia.

While tradition and statistics appear to back McGrath’s confidence, cricket remains a game of glorious uncertainty. England's dynamic middle order, led by Root and Brook, is capable of explosive performances. New tactics, youthful players, and potential injuries could disrupt any forecast.