Overview
- Ben Stokes said critics can call England “rubbish” but not “arrogant,” insisting the team will stick to its attacking method while executing better and absorbing pressure.
- England declined to send first‑choice players to the Prime Minister’s XI pink‑ball game in Canberra, opting for an extended training block in Brisbane that began Saturday and was briefly interrupted by rain.
- Australia lead the series 1‑0 after winning inside two days in Perth, where Travis Head smashed 123 and Mitchell Starc claimed a 10‑wicket match haul.
- Usman Khawaja, retained in an unchanged 14‑man squad, said he expects to play at the Gabba without further injections after back spasms limited him in Perth.
- Khawaja described the Optus Stadium day‑one surface as “a piece of shit” despite the ICC’s “very good” rating, as Australia’s formidable day‑night record (13 wins in 14) frames the upcoming Gabba Test starting December 4.