Ashes 2025: James Anderson says England in ‘stronger position than Australia' despite series humbling
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Updated 10/01/2026 at 10:28 GMT
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Sir James Anderson found reasons for optimism in the wake of England's disastrous 4-1 Ashes defeat to Australia, explaining to TNT Sports why he believes the English are "in a stronger position" than their opponents leading up to a 2027 series on home soil. Steven Finn, meanwhile, believes managing director Rob Key is "most vulnerable" but there must be a willingness to "change and evolve".
Highlights: Australia overcome wobble to wrap up 4-1 Ashes victory
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Sir James Anderson believes England end the NRMA Insurance Ashes series "in a stronger position than Australia" despite a resounding 4-1 defeat Down Under.
Brendon McCullum’s tourists faced fierce criticism when their Ashes challenge ended in just 11 days following defeat in the opening three tests, and a fourth-test victory proved scant consolation as they were beaten again in the second dead rubber on Thursday.
Head coach McCullum, captain Ben Stokes and managing director Rob Key have all come under pressure with an internal review underway following a series where poor performances on the pitch were combined with unwanted storylines off it.
However, Anderson explained in his guest appearance on ‘The Edge’ on TNT Sports why there is cause for optimism leading up to the 2027 Ashes series on home soil.
"It might be a controversial or unusual thing to say after a series defeat like this, but I think potentially leaving this series England could be in a stronger position going forward than Australia," Anderson said.
"I think England have more answers in their team. The likes of (Jacob) Bethell coming in. They’ve found out certain things about players, bowlers coming in. (Josh) Tongue has been brilliant. (Brydon) Carse has gone through five tests. There are answers there. They are a young team as well; there are young players coming through.
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Why did England lose the Ashes?
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"On the other hand, Australia are not so young. How long are these players going to carry on? We’ve seen (Usman) Khawaja retire. I know (Mitchell) Starc has got through five tests but he’s not getting any younger.
"(Pat) Cummins onLy played one test, (Josh) Hazlewood wasn’t there. So there are still question marks around their attack. (Michael) Neser is 35. There are more questions, I think, around Australia than England."
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‘Key is most vulnerable’
The positions of Key and McCullum have come under scrutiny in the wake of a disastrous series.
In a poll put to TNT Sports readers, 74% believe (at the time of writing) that Key should not remain in his role as managing director, while 70% think McCullum should be axed as head coach.
Stokes, however, still has the backing of the public, with 72% saying he should remain in his role as captain.
Former England international Steven Finn explained why he believes Key is most at risk, but backed all three to stay in post on certain conditions given their track record.
"I would say (Key) is the most vulnerable. Whether he should go or not is a different conversation. But certainly, looking at the way this has panned out and the decisions made on coaches, contracts, you would say Rob Key is the most vulnerable," Finn said on The Edge.
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‘I’m keen to carry on’ - McCullum reflects on Ashes loss
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"The caveat to that is to remember the state English cricket was in when him, McCullum and Stokes took over. One win in 17, and it didn’t look like it was even feasible to be competitive in Australia come this series.
"They should take credit for that, but there has to be a willingness to adapt and change and evolve. If they are willing to do that, then they should keep their jobs, but that’s a conversation to be had by the higher ups."
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Anderson added: "I completely agree. There is going to be a review, it’s underway. What they’ve done and how they turned this England team around in that initial period was incredible.
"Yes, the last 12 months haven’t been great, and it ended in a 4-1 series defeat in Australia, but I don’t necessarily think wholesale change is the answer. It’s just a case of people looking at themselves as well.
"Rob Key, Brendan McCullum, Ben Stokes will look at themselves and their performance, how they can improve in the future and learn from the mistakes of this tour."
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