Players head for the continent after loss lights up Ashes series

In 2019 they played a tour match after a loss at Headingley but in 2023 players head for the beaches before hostilities resume.

‘You keep all options open,’ says Test skipper Pat Cummins. Picture: Getty Images

Australia’s cricketers, sobered by a close loss at Headingley, have grabbed their loved ones and headed for the continent with plans to regroup in industrial Manchester for the fourth Test.

Four years ago, a shattered Australian side reassembled itself in the wake of its Headingley loss with a morning walk in Leeds, a yoga session in the shadow of Worcester’s cathedral, a riotous game of touch footy and a hit out against the local side.

The tour match is dead, as bowlers with aching bones and batters with tired techniques head to Paris, Mallorca and such to revive. The schedule is so tight in 2023 that recovery and mental wellbeing are prioritised, but anyone who needs a top up can attend an optional practice session at Old Trafford this Friday. Better to catch your breath than balls, better to hit the beach than the nets is the mantra.

Coaches with sore shoulders are on standby, probably dreading their first sight of the throw-down addicted Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith. Neither had a good third game, both will be hungry to hit and hone, hit and hone, hit and hone.

Pat Cummins says he feels surprisingly good given three Tests in tight time and three tight finishes, but the smile didn’t glisten quite so brightly following the weekend’s three-wicket loss to England.

The skipper pushed back against an English journalist hopeful they would be a less confident heading to Old Trafford. “No, not at all,” Cummins said. “Every Test you get a fresh start.”

He said the compelling close finishes have been a test of tactics and nerves. “It’s not my preference, but they’ve been great viewing,” he said. “I don’t know, it’s just tense out there really, you want to make sure your decision-making is right and you see some players standing up.

“It’s great cricket, I really enjoy being out there and feeling like you’ve got some control of the situation. You are in the middle of it, it’s 100 times worse when you are in the change rooms wishing you could do something about it.”

A win would have guaranteed Australia an away Ashes series win for the first time since 2001.

A loss at Manchester, while it’s the last thing fans or players want, would see the two sides head to London at the end of the month two-all for only the third time in the history of the contest.

There will be changes. Pressure is on David Warner, who failed in the last Test but contributed early in the series. Josh Hazlewood, rested for the last game, will be available and eyeing the place he ceded to Scott Boland. Fascination surrounds a now-fit Cam Green and Mitch Marsh, fantastic when given the opportunity at Headingley. How do you drop a man who has just made a century?

“You keep all options open,” Cummins said. “We’ve got nine or 10 days now so we’ll take a deep breath … Then we’ll look at the wicket and work out the best XI.”