England cricket legend Ian Botham has criticised the team’s preparation for the upcoming Ashes series, warning that the decision to play only one intra-squad match before the first Test could leave the tourists underprepared. Botham believes England need more red-ball practice in Australian conditions and additional time to adjust to local conditions and crowd pressure.
The England squad only arrived in Perth less than two weeks before the series opener on November 21, with their sole warm-up game scheduled against the England Lions. Botham questioned the wisdom of such a minimal build-up, saying it would not have been his approach to preparing for one of the most demanding tours in cricket.
In previous Ashes series, England have played multiple warm-up matches against local sides, providing players with the chance to adapt to different pitches and climates. However, under coach Brendan McCullum, the team has adopted a shorter preparation period, focusing on maintaining rhythm and mental freshness. Botham, however, feels this strategy risks backfiring, calling it “bordering on arrogance” in earlier remarks.
He stressed the importance of acclimatisation, reminding players that competing in Australia is as much about handling the environment as it is about facing the opposition. According to Botham, preparation time helps players understand the bounce, pace, and atmosphere unique to Australian venues.
Botham also shared his thoughts on Australia’s selection debate regarding who should open the batting with Usman Khawaja. He believes Marnus Labuschagne should remain at number three and that the selectors need to decide quickly on a specialist opener to provide stability at the top of the order.
Former Australia captain Greg Chappell echoed this sentiment, emphasising the value of having a natural opener rather than shifting a number three batter into the role. He argued that opening the batting requires a specific mindset and passion, not just technical skill.
With the first Test set to begin at Optus Stadium in Perth on November 21, questions continue to surround both teams. For England, the spotlight is on their limited preparation, while Australia must decide who will join Khawaja at the top of the order as the battle for the Ashes approaches.
