Follow UsFormer England all-rounder Ian Botham has issued a strong warning about his country’s preparation ahead of the upcoming Ashes series in Australia, voicing concern that England could be under-prepared for the challenges ahead.
England’s squad will travel to Perth and begin the five-Test series on November 21 with just one internal warm-up match scheduled and without the more traditional full first-class or unofficial games that teams often play on Australian soil. Botham noted that many Australian players are already engaged in red-ball domestic competition, contrasting sharply with England’s limited acclimatisation.
“I think historically you have to acclimatise when you come down here. You've got to remember there are 24 million people down here, not 11,” Botham said, as quoted by India Today.
“And you have to take that on board. The ball does seem to get to you quicker in Perth, and the light's different. You've got the Fremantle Doctor; there's all kinds of things that go into the melting pot."
Botham said the fitness and form of England’s pace attack and the team captain would be crucial.
“If England's bowlers can stay fit, which doesn't happen very often, and the captain can play a full part, then I think England have got a real chance," he said.
"I think it's the right way. You want to be aggressive, come through, and players, if they're not playing very well, don't like it in the ribs. So, yeah, it'll be interesting.”
He also advocated for a more aggressive use of pace bowlers, referencing the West Indies’ success using a four-man pace attack in 2024: “I think it’s the right way. You want to have aggressive players; if they’re not playing very well, they don’t like it in the ribs. So, yeah, it’ll be interesting.”