England’s Lone Warm-Up Before The Ashes Sparks Debate On Preparation And Player Workload

England’s preparation for the Ashes series is stirring debate once again, with the team set to play only one in-house warm-up match before facing Australia in Perth.

After wrapping up their one-day international series in New Zealand, the team will head to Australia for three weeks of training — but their only competitive action before the first Test will be a three-day fixture against England Lions, their developmental side.

A question of readiness

England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) performance director Ed Barney insists the single warm-up match will provide enough preparation for the players.

“There is nothing more the lads will want than to raise their game, put batters under pressure, and put bowlers under pressure,” Barney said. “I have no doubt that the fixture will be a quality exposure that will aid England in their preparation.”

However, critics — including Lord Botham — have accused England of showing arrogance by not scheduling matches against Australian state sides. The ongoing batting struggles in New Zealand have only fueled those concerns.

Balancing formats and fatigue

Barney defended England’s approach, citing the packed global cricket schedule and the demands on multi-format players.

“If a player participates in every England series, the IPL, and The Hundred, they’ll have less than two weeks off between now and next September,” he explained.
“We’re confident in our preparation and have tailored different programmes to suit each player.”

A look back at history

Past Ashes tours were vastly different. When England won the urn in 1986-87, they played multiple warm-ups against state sides before and between Tests. Even during their 2010-11 triumph under Andrew Strauss, they had three first-class warm-ups before the series began.

In contrast, recent tours have offered less preparation. Covid-19 restrictions meant the 2021-22 tour included just two intra-squad matches, both heavily affected by rain.

Still, the ECB points to England’s ability to win series openers in India and Pakistan without warm-ups last year as proof that their system can work.

What to expect in Australia

The upcoming warm-up at Lilac Hill, starting 13 November, may feature mixed squads to give both batters and bowlers meaningful match practice. The England Lions squad — including Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, and Josh Hull — represents a blend of emerging talent and near-Test-level players.

Barney emphasized that the Lions aren’t simply a second England XI:

“The Lions is not a second team. It’s about developing the highest potential and supporting those who might be ready in two to four years, as well as the next best in line.”

With just one warm-up before the most anticipated series in cricket, all eyes will be on whether England’s unconventional approach pays off — or backfires against a well-prepared Australian side.

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