Dec 20th, 2017

Dec 20th, 2017

Ian Botham was among Australia's most-vocal critics last month, but now admits England have been "outmuscled and pushed around the park by a very good" side during the Ashes.

Botham offered a frank assessment of Steve Smith's XI ahead of the first Test, describing their batting order as the nation's worst since the Kerry Packer split 40 years ago.

The assessment left the legendary English allrounder with egg on his face; Australia reclaimed the urn in Perth by posting their highest total in a home Ashes Test.

"They've beaten us and beaten us comprehensively," Botham told AAP at the 39th annual Jack Newton Celebrity Classic in the Hunter Valley.

"We have to face up to the fact we were outmuscled and pushed around the park by a very good Australian side.

"Australia is playing for five-nil but we have to show some heart and spirit and pride and go home with a win or two."

(AAP)

Botham, who was part of England's triumphant Test tours of Australia in 1978-79 and 1986-87, has been impressed with Australia's pace attack.

"They're excellent. They can make life difficult for sides for some years, as long as they stay fit," he said.

But the 62-year-old added it was important "not to get too carried away - they're not as quick or as fearsome as (Dennis) Lillee and (Jeff) Thomson."

"Australia's bowlers just hit England and cleaned up their tail-order batsmen and got stuck right into them and didn't let them settle," he said.

"There's been some great deliveries bowled in this series and a few poor shots by England, particularly by the lower order."

Under-performing captain Joe Root has copped plenty of criticism after heavy defeats at the Gabba, Adelaide Oval and WACA but Botham feels it is unwarranted.

"He did nothing wrong," Botham said.

"Joe Root is only as good as the team he has got. They didn't perform to their best.

"They're a better side than how they performed ... it's the same old, same old. If you're at home, you win.

"If you're away, you lose.

"Every side is the same. Australia, India, England, they all have this problem."

©AAP2017