A prominent former England cricketer has voiced strong concerns over the team’s preparation for the upcoming Ashes series in Australia. The criticism centers on the decision to schedule only a single intra-squad practice match before the first Test begins in Perth later this month.
The touring party, with the final group of players having just arrived, faces a notably short lead-in time. This limited preparation contrasts with previous tours, where England engaged in multiple warm-up fixtures against local sides to acclimatize to Australian conditions and crowds.
The ex-player, known for his forthright views, labeled the current schedule as risky, suggesting teams historically need time to adjust when touring Australia. He emphasized the challenge of playing in front of passionate local supporters, framing every match as taking on the entire nation.
This approach to a condensed preparation period is not entirely new for the current England setup. However, the critique argues that for a demanding tour like the Ashes, more extensive match practice is essential for success.
Meanwhile, discussion in Australia has turned to their own selection puzzle, specifically who will open the batting alongside Usman Khawaja. Another former Test captain has weighed in, stressing the importance of the opening role. He argued it requires a specific mindset and should not be treated as a mere positional swap, questioning the logic of simply promoting a middle-order batsman to the top of the order.
While a specialist opener is in the squad, the final composition of the Australian team for Perth remains unconfirmed. Selectors have indicated flexibility, noting that several players have the skill to adapt, but the debate underscores the strategic significance of the decision.
The highly anticipated series is set to commence at Perth’s Optus Stadium on November 21.