England to play just one intra-squad match before start of series
Tourists need more red-ball practice, says former all-rounder
Ian Botham has launched a fresh broadside at the decision by England to arrange just a single intra-squad match before the start of the Ashes, saying the tourists need more red ball practice in Australia and time to get used to local crowds.
The last group of England’s players only arrived in Perth on Sunday, less than two weeks before the start of the first Test on 21 November. England will play the Lions on Thursday in their only Ashes warm-up.
The former all-rounder questioned the decision. “Well, it’s not the way I would prepare,” he said, speaking in Melbourne on Tuesday to announce a ticket ballot for next year’s 150th anniversary Test at the MCG.
