McGrath Rejects Vaughan's Easiest Ashes Claim
Glenn McGrath disputed Michael Vaughan's view that England's 2027 home Ashes series is the easiest of three major Test assignments.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Golf
On the Stick to Cricket podcast, Michael Vaughan argued that the 2027 home Ashes series is the least demanding of England's three major Test assignments. Glenn McGrath rejected that assessment during the same discussion.
Why it matters
The exchange highlights differing views on how England's upcoming schedule ranks in difficulty, including its record against Australia in the United Kingdom. Jason Gillespie accused Vaughan of trying to provoke the Australian camp.
England's three major Test assignments in 2027 comprise three Tests in South Africa, two Tests in Bangladesh and a five-Test Ashes series at home. England has not lost to Australia in the United Kingdom since 2001, though the extraction does not say how that record bears on the ranking.
The players
Glenn McGrath
Glenn McGrath is a former Australian fast bowler who responded to Vaughan's claim during the podcast discussion.
Michael Vaughan
Michael Vaughan is a former England captain who made the claim that the 2027 home Ashes is the easiest of the three assignments.
Jason Gillespie
Jason Gillespie is a former Australian Test bowler who accused Vaughan of being a provocateur.
The details
Vaughan outlined the schedule and compared the difficulty of each series on the podcast, saying England is not selecting its best spinner for the Bangladesh Tests. Damien Fleming said Vaughan regards Bangladesh as a greater concern for England than Australia.
Timeline
Early 2027: three Tests in South Africa.
March 2027: two Tests in Bangladesh.
Summer 2027: five-Test Ashes series in the United Kingdom.
Season Trajectory
The debate measures England's 2027 schedule against its unbroken home record against Australia since the 2001 Ashes loss. The ranking of the series will shape how England's three major Test assignments are viewed in the lead-up to the summer.
The schedule places three Tests in South Africa before the Ashes, followed by two Tests in Bangladesh in March. Fans tracking England's Test calendar will see the 2027 schedule's sequencing laid out across these three assignments.
The takeaway
The disagreement reflects how differently analysts weigh a home series against the Ashes' history versus the challenge of away and subcontinental Tests. Readers can track how England's squad selection for Bangladesh unfolds as the 2027 calendar approaches.
Further reading
For more on the sport's competitive calendar, explore our Golf coverage.
