Greg Chappell on England’s Dressing Room After Ashes Defeat

Greg Chappell opens up on atmosphere in England’s dressing room after Ashes opener loss

Former Australia cricketer and former India head coach Greg Chappell has shed light on England’s mindset following their heavy defeat in the opening Test of the ongoing Ashes series. England endured a disastrous start to the 2025–26 Ashes, suffering an eight-wicket loss to Australia within just two days at Perth Stadium.

The defeat triggered sharp criticism, with many pundits questioning England’s tactics and overall approach. Sharing his perspective, Chappell described the emotional and psychological state inside the England dressing room after the collapse.

“The England dressing room on the final day of last week’s Perth Test must have resembled a building struck by a sudden, shattering explosion. One moment there was light, order, and a firm structure; the next, a deafening, visceral shock wave,” Chappell wrote in his ESPNcricinfo column.

“The silence that follows such a blast is rarely peaceful. It is instantly replaced by the sounds of the resulting chaos: alarms blaring, smoke and dust swirling in a disorienting cloud, and the structure groaning under considerable damage,” he added.

Chappell on England’s path to recovery

Chappell emphasized that England’s preparation for the second Test must be grounded in honest self-assessment rather than outside criticism. According to him, blocking out external noise will be crucial for rebuilding confidence and clarity.

“McCullum and Stokes hold the leadership keys because they alone know the full extent of the structural damage, the vulnerabilities, and, crucially, which areas remain sound. Listening to the shouting outside will only lead them down a blind alley—or worse, prompt decisions that compound the damage,” he wrote.

As England look to bounce back, Chappell believes their response in the coming days will determine whether they can realistically challenge Australia in the remainder of the series.