Overview
- Mark Wood reported left hamstring stiffness at Lilac Hill and was sent for a precautionary scan, leaving his availability for Perth in doubt.
- England hinted at a pace-heavy plan for the opener by fielding an all-seam attack in the warm-up and leaving out a frontline spinner.
- Openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley added 182, Ollie Pope made a fifty at No. 3, and Joe Root and Harry Brook fell cheaply in mixed batting returns.
- Former players criticised the light lead‑in, which Ben Stokes dismissed as views from 'has-beens' as he defended England’s condensed preparation.
- Jofra Archer's readiness came under scrutiny after limited early net work, though he bowled 12.3 overs for 1-49 as England weigh options for the Nov 21 Perth Test.