England trail 10-0 in points in the multi-format series after losing all three ODIs and the first two T20Is, with only the final T20I in Adelaide and the one-off day-night Test in Melbourne remaining. While the result has reignited fitness debates, Lewis insists the key differences lie elsewhere.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The fitness of England\u2019s players has been a topic of discussion since their early exit in the T20 World Cup last October. Former England spinner Alex Hartley criticised the team's conditioning at the time, but Lewis firmly rejected these claims, both then and now.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI would say Australia are a much more athletic team than us\u2014more agile, faster, and at times more powerful,\u201d Lewis was quoted by Sky Sports as saying. \u201cBut is that the reason we\u2019re not winning cricket matches here? No. I think their discipline and skill level have been higher.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Lewis acknowledged that cultural differences play a role in the athleticism gap between the two nations. \u201cI walked from Bondi to Coogee the other Sunday morning, and pretty much the whole of Sydney\u2019s eastern suburbs were out swimming, running, and walking. There\u2019s a cultural difference between Australia and England,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
However, he emphasised that athleticism isn\u2019t the sole determinant of success. \u201cWe don\u2019t need to run marathons. We need to be fit for purpose,\u201d he stated, reinforcing the idea that the technical and mental aspects of the game have had a more significant impact on the series outcome.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Lewis believes that Australia\u2019s ability to seize key moments has been the defining factor in the series.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIn 2023, we poked the bear a little bit,\u201d Lewis said, referencing England\u2019s spirited fightback to draw the Ashes 8-8 at home. \u201cAustralia have gone away and reset. The scoreline is bigger, but I don\u2019t think the gap is.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
While the 10-0 scoreline suggests dominance, Lewis argued that England have been more competitive than the results indicate. \u201cWe won those critical moments last time, and they\u2019ve turned them on their side in this series,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Adding to England\u2019s woes, Australian all-rounder Grace Harris taunted the tourists after her team\u2019s six-run win in the rain-affected second T20I in Canberra. Harris declared that Australia wanted to \u201cembarrass\u201d England by sweeping the series 16-0.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
While Lewis downplayed the taunt, the challenge ahead remains immense. Even if England win the remaining matches, they can only narrow the series deficit to 10-6.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Despite the disappointing results, Lewis remains optimistic about the future of his team, emphasizing that they are still in a developmental phase.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThis is a really hard tour to come and compete and win,\u201d Lewis said. \u201cThey\u2019re an exceptional team, playing on home soil, and have been world-beating for a long time. We\u2019ve got a developing group of cricketers.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Despite the disappointing results, Lewis remains optimistic about the future of his team, emphasizing that they are still in a developmental phase.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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