NEW DELHI: Former England cricketer Michael Atherton believes England have a good opportunity to put Australia under pressure during their upcoming white-ball tour Down Under.He feels Australia’s recent struggles, selection concerns and demanding international schedule could create bigger problems for the team ahead of the 2027 Ashes, potentially causing them to “implode”.Australia recently suffered a 2-1 Test series defeat against South Africa, losing their position as the world’s top-ranked Test team as well as their place at the top of the World Test Championship standings. Marnus Labuschagne’s poor form has also raised questions about his place in the side.England will play three ODIs and five T20Is against Australia, with the ODI series beginning on November 13. The hosts will be without their experienced fast-bowling trio of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, who are being managed ahead of a busy Test schedule. Australia are due to face New Zealand in a four-match Test series before travelling to India for five Tests in early 2027.

Atherton wants England to keep Australia under pressure

Atherton believes England should take advantage of Australia’s current difficulties and make sure they do not get an easy run during the white-ball series.“Although some of the big guns are not playing, it is a chance to keep some pressure on Australia now – pressure on their selectors after the decisions around Labuschagne and what have you, pressure on some of their big-name players and pressure on them to keep their results modest,” Atherton said as quoted by Sky Sports.He also feels Australia’s former players could become increasingly critical if the team continues to struggle.“The past players will start to go at them as they started to do, actually, after about day one of the Ashes in Perth last year, before England then let them off the hook,” he added.

David Warner slams Australia’s batting performance

Australia’s batting problems have also attracted criticism from former opener David Warner. The hosts were bowled out for just 111 in their second innings of the third Test against South Africa, losing the match by 176 runs and the series 2-1.Warner was particularly disappointed with the lack of fight shown by the batters.“I’m just upset. It’s terrible. It’s un-Australian. There’s no fight whatsoever. It’s disgraceful,” Warner said on Fox Sports. “288, you’re winning a Test match; you could win a series. It’s on the line. And this is the way they’re playing?”He further criticised the batting unit for repeatedly failing to support the bowlers throughout the series.“I think it’s deplorable. The batters have let the bowlers down the whole series. Yes, Matt Renshaw showed fight in that first Test, but I think the batters have been disgraceful. What the batters should know is that this bloke here (Rabada) is going to come out firing. And he has done that. If you get through 10-15 overs…” Warner added.With the 2027 Ashes scheduled to begin in June, Australia will need to address these concerns before heading to England.