Since the surface at Manuka Oval is very different from the one they would face in Brisbane for the second Ashes Test, former Australian bowler Peter Siddle thinks England would not achieve much by playing a day-night tour match against the Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra.
No players who played in the Ashes opener in Perth will participate in the two-day pink-ball match against the PM XI, England confirmed on Monday, November 24. Instead, they will travel directly to Brisbane to get ready for the pink-ball Test, a format in which they have yet to win on Australian soil. England hasn’t triumphed in a Test match at the Gabba since 1986. Former England greats Alastair Cook, Michael Vaughan, and Michael Atherton were shocked and strongly criticised the decision.
“I understand what it’s like to be on tour for a long time, so it’s difficult. Even though it’s only the first Test, they recently returned from a white-ball series in New Zealand, so the majority of that team has played a lot of cricket,” Siddle stated on Fox Sports.
Since the Manuka Oval and the Gabba are two completely different surfaces, the initial test did not go as planned for them. Other than possibly seeing a pink ball under lights, it is probably the only benefit they will receive from it. They are each approaching it in their own unique manner, he continued.
Additionally, Siddle noted that England’s fast bowlers are suffering from their aggressive, hard-hitting batting style, as they are not given enough time to relax or recuperate in between innings. Due to their brief stints at the crease, the bowlers had little time to recuperate. On day two, Travis Head delivered a masterpiece, nearly chasing down 205 runs in less than 30 overs.
England was dismissed for 172 and 164 in both innings, despite only managing to bat for 67.3 overs.
“That is enormous. The coaches of fast bowling used to discuss it often. You are better off the more time you can spend sleeping with your feet up. It is a tremendous benefit if you can sleep for a few of nights before you travel again. Even though their quick style can be thrilling and entertaining, Siddle stated that it is undoubtedly hurting their fast bowlers.
When you want them to bowl quickly and with great intensity, they need that respite. It was evident in Perth that it can be challenging to turn things up as they did in the first innings when there is little rest and a fast turnaround, he said.
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