Particle.news
Download on the App Store
7 ARTICLES
·
1h ago

Crawley Backs England’s Minimal Ashes Prep as Questions Linger Over Spin and Fitness

The opener says the single Lilac Hill hit-out has given England useful acclimatisation before the Perth opener next week.

Cricket - International Test Match Series - Fifth Test - England v India - Kia Oval, London, Britain - August 1, 2025 England's Zak Crawley in action Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
Image
Stokes and Joe Root wait to bat in the nets. England have been criticised for a lack of pre-Ashes games but as a result they could be fresher by the end of the series
Archer could have taken the money on offer in white-ball cricket but did not want to give up on his Test dream

Overview

  • England scheduled only one three-day warm-up against the England Lions at Lilac Hill near Optus Stadium before the first Test on November 21.
  • Zak Crawley, who made 82 off 101 balls in the warm-up, said the team will be ready and highlighted getting used to local conditions.
  • Ben Stokes claimed six wickets in the match, though analysts questioned how meaningful the dismissals were as a gauge for Test readiness.
  • Selection scrutiny persists over spin depth, with Shoaib Bashir in the Lions squad and Joe Root providing much of the spin in the warm-up.
  • Pace resources face uncertainty after reports that Mark Wood was injured during the practice match.