Ashes: Former wicketkeeper Ian Healy says Australia’s Wags are distraction

Back row L-R: Isabelle Platt, partner of Mitchell Marsh, Jessica Johnson, wife of Mitchell Johnson, Melissa Waring, partner of Nathan Lyon, Dani Willis, partner of Steve Smith, Kyly Clarke, wife of Michael Clarke and Kristy Voges, wife of Adam Voges. Front row L-R: Bec O’Donovan, wife of Shaun Marsh, Sam Nelson, fiancee of Peter Nevill and Cherie Harris, wife of Ryan Harris holding their son Carter at Lord’s during the second Test. Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

The former Australia wicketkeeper Ian Healy has blamed the side’s poor form in the Ashes series on the presence of the players’ wives and girlfriends on tour, describing them as a “distraction”.

The tourists were bowled out for 60 in only 111 balls on day one, setting a new record for the shortest first innings in the history of Test cricket.

Healy, who retired from playing in 1999 after playing 119 Tests, is in England working as a commentator for Channel 9 and he believes the presence of family members has not helped Australia’s cause.

“All their partners are here and some of the most respected cricketers I played with hated that distraction. They weren’t allowed on tour until after the series had been won,” Healy said.

“Your mind needs to be completely focused on it. Cricket is a sport that requires complete concentration. You need everything going for you and I’m not sure they’re pushing for that hard enough.

“Their hearts might not be that strong. Are they together as a team? Do they fragment from here? Do they meet and talk about it tonight? Will they confront it?”