Australia Clinches Rugby League Ashes Series Lead Over England

England's Rugby League Ashes hopes were dashed as Australia secured a 2-0 series lead, highlighting England's shortcomings against the world champions despite prior regional successes. In cricket, former England captain Michael Vaughan emphasizes the need for Ben Stokes and England to win the upcoming Ashes series in Australia to cement their legacy, despite recent struggles there and a history of losses. Vaughan also warns that England's aggressive Bazball playing style, while successful overall, may be a liability in Australia due to challenging conditions and the need for tactical restraint. He cites England's recent poor performances in ODIs against New Zealand as a sign that the team must learn to adapt and absorb pressure rather than always playing expansively. Concerns have been raised that without adjusting their approach, England risks being overwhelmed by Australia's strong bowling attack. England's ODI form is troubling, with a series of losses threatening automatic qualification for the 2027 Cricket World Cup, underscoring broader challenges facing the team ahead of the Ashes.