England’s bizarre Ashes Tour request hints at camp rift
Reports have emerged there are at least some figures in the England camp that disagree with Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes.
Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes may believe England “over-prepared” for the second Ashes Test, but not everyone in the English camp appears to agree.
Reports have emerged that England are requesting better warm-up preparations before the 2029-30 Ashes series in Australia.
McCullum’s response to criticism of England’s preparation has made headlines after Australia cruised to a 2-0 series lead, with the tourists playing only one pre-series warm-up match and then, following defeat inside two days in the first Test, opted against putting their first-choice players into a pink-ball tour game in Canberra in favour of more time in the nets.
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Those decisions have drawn stinging criticism from legendary former players with Ian Botham suggesting travelling fans should be demanding their money back from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
McCullum was defiant when quizzed on England’s preparations, telling the BBC that if anything they “trained too much” having participated in five “intense” training sessions leading into the second Test.
That, however, is at odds with reports from both The Telegraph and The Guardian which claim that England is after better preparation for future series.
According to the Guardian, the ECB is prepared to offer Australia its pick of warm-up facilities before the next Ashes in 2027 in a bid to get similar treatment in return ahead of the 2029-30 series down under.
Specifically, England is looking for a mutually-beneficial arrangement where both teams are guaranteed “high‑class facilities, on similar surfaces and in similar weather to those they will face in Tests, and matches against high‑quality opposition if desired”, as per The Guardian.
England had asked to use the Waca Ground prior to the first Test at Perth Stadium, but that was denied with a Sheffield Shield game between Western Australia and Queensland already scheduled.
Instead, England was reportedly offered the chance to play its warm-up game on a club ground in Adelaide or a ground of similar quality in Perth.
Furthermore, The Guardian reported that England was then offered a two-day pink-ball warm-up for the day-night Test in Brisbane in Canberra, where Peter Siddle even conceded the conditions would be “totally different” and that “there’s not going to be a lot they can get out of it”.
That is in stark contrast to India’s preparation ahead of last year’s first Test in Perth, where they were afforded the opportunity to have an extended camp at the Waca.
One insider, meanwhile, cheekily pointed out to The Telegraph that “even the Barmy Army played at the Waca” before the Perth Test, while a senior administrator called on boards to “grow up” and make sure the opposition is better prepared for Tests.
England’s players are now set to be handed four days off in the holiday resort of Noosa before the third Test in Adelaide begins on December 16.
Originally published as England’s bizarre Ashes Tour request hints at camp rift
‘5-0?’ Poms retreat to Noosa after Ashes drubbing
