The team’s short warm-up schedule has raised major worries about England’s preparation for the forthcoming Ashes series in Australia, according to famous all-rounder Sir Ian Botham. The Ben Stokes-led team may not be ready for the conditions in Australia, Ian Botham, who is aware of how intense the Ashes are, said.
In preparation for the five-Test Ashes series that begins in Perth on November 21, England has decided to play the England Lions in just one three-day internal match.
As a result, Ian Botham is now doubting that handling the Australian pitches will require as little training.
England has traditionally used long build-ups to become used to living in Australia. They won the series 3-1 in 2010–11, their most recent successful Ashes tour, after playing three warm-up matches prior to the opening Test. Their 2021–22 tour, on the other hand, in which the team only played internal games, ended in a terrible 4-0 loss. While the majority of Australia’s Ashes team members are now playing in Sheffield Shield matches, the former England captain also noted that the majority of England’s players have come from franchise cricket and white-ball tours.
“It’s not the way I would prepare,” Ian Botham stated Tuesday while in Melbourne. “I believe it’s customary to acclimate when visiting this area. You must keep in mind that there are 24 million people down here—not just 11. Additionally, you must consider that. The light is different in Perth, and it does appear like the ball reaches you faster there. “You have the Fremantle Doctor; everything goes into the melting pot,” Ian Botham stated, as India Today reported.
But in spite of his criticism, Ian Botham is still upbeat about England’s prospects as long as the players stay healthy.
England has a genuine opportunity if its bowlers can remain healthy, which isn’t typically the case, and if the captain can play the entire game. It seems like the proper approach. You want to come through and be aggressive, and guys don’t like being slapped around if they’re not playing well. In that sense, it will be interesting,” he continued.
Without a doubt, the pitches have changed in general: Marcus Trescothick
Marcus Trescothick, the assistant coach for England, however, supported the team’s preparation and insisted that the aggressive approach of England is actually suited to the bouncy Australian surfaces. Trescothick also praised Joe Root, who has yet to get a century in Test cricket in Australia. He thinks that Root’s improved style to play under Stokes and Brendon McCullum may prove to be very important for England’s campaign.
“Pitch conditions in Australia have undoubtedly changed over the past several years, but you still anticipate them to be fast and lively, with perhaps a little more in it for the bowlers than in previous years. His behavior during the past few years can likely be explained by the fact that he is at ease with his current strategy and approach. In the last three seasons, Joe has developed significantly under McCullum and Ben Stokes in terms of our playing style. Trescothick stated, “He is in the rankings because his game has advanced to a new level.
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