England Lions to play Cricket Australia XI and Australia A

A senior English player says the side that will travel to Australia next summer is far better prepared to win back the Ashes.

England vice-captain Ollie Pope says the touring side didn’t get selection “quite right” in their winless 2021-22 Ashes but think they will have a winning formula ready for next summer.

The fast bowling depth that was sorely tested in the 4-0 series defeat has improved significantly, according to Pope, with emerging quicks to get a chance to impress in Australian conditions next month when an England Lions side tours for three games.

Two four-day games will be held in Brisbane between the Lions and a Cricket Australia XI during the Big Bash before a final four-day clash against a stronger Australia A side at Sydney’s Cricket Central beginning January 30.

Josh Tongue, who impressed in the 2023 Ashes series, and John Turner were two of the quicks looking to cement themselves in England’s red-ball plans as Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse and Matthew Potts all loom as important components following their performances in the 2-1 series win in New Zealand.

England fast bowler Brydon Carse looms as one of the key components in the touring side’s plan to win back the Ashes next summer. Picture: Michael Bradley / AFP

When England last visited, an ageing Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad led their attack as Chris Woakes struggled and OIlie Robinson failed to stay fit.

Pope said there was belief injury-prone speedsters Jofra Archer and Mark Wood would also be available to spearhead the attack next summer.

“There’s a number of things that weren’t quite right last time around,” Pope said ahead of his Adelaide Strikers debut on Friday night.

“We’re obviously trying to build a bowling attack to cater for these kind of pitches, where it’s shown you do need that pace.

“As an all-round team we’re a much stronger unit, it’s not just the bowlers.”

Pope said a stronger bowling attack and the debut of “Bazball” in Australia would help put the home side “under a lot more pressure than we did last time”.

“You look at the bowlers and look at the bowling attack we want to be having come 12 months Down Under, and we’re clearly picking guys that are going to be suited to that (type of) pitch and getting the best out of them,” Pope said.

Right-arm quick Josh Tongue, who took 10 wickets in his two Ashes Tests last year, is set to play for the England Lions in Australia next month. Picture: Gareth Copley / Getty Images

“Whether that be in New Zealand with guys like Carse and Potts and Gus Atkinson, they can be the same guys that do well in England too.

“They are hopefully the guys that lead the attack out here, including Jofra (Archer) and Mark Wood.

“Hopefully we can keep them fit throughout the year … come a year’s time, it would be a really exciting prospect.”

West Australian red-ball captain Sam Whiteman would be an option to lead the CA XI in the two games against the Lions during the Big Bash, while off-spinner Corey Rocchiccioli and emerging Victorian quick Sam Elliott are also without BBL deals.

Players could also be released from their clubs to play in the matches, including fringe quicks Mitch Perry (Sydney Sixers) and Mahli Beardman (Perth Scorchers).

The Australia A side is set to feature the strongest line-up outside of the players selected for the Test tour of Sri Lanka that begins at the same time.

England Lions squad: Sonny Baker, Shoaib Bashir, Pat Brown, James Coles, Sam Cook, Alex Davies, Rocky Flintoff, Tom Hartley, Tom Lawes, Freddie McCann, Ben McKinney, James Rew, Hamza Shaikh, Mitch Stanley, Josh Tongue, John Turner.

Fixtures: January 14-17 vs. Cricket Australia XI, Ian Healy Oval, Brisbane

January 22-25 vs. Cricket Australia XI, Allan Border Field, Brisbane

January 30-Feb 2 vs. Australia A, Cricket Central, Sydney

Originally published as England Lions to play Cricket Australia XI and Australia A