… and the England cricket team has turned up the heat on their training base in Brisbane. They are focused on ensuring they do not fall flat again following a lacklustre loss in the opening Ashes Test. The crew hopes to reassemble and reconnect with their inner artistry in hopes of turning around their luck at the next battle. Conventionally, England would only train for two to three days ahead of a Test. This time around, they’ve made sure to get even more training under their belt so they’re thoroughly prepared.
The team has scheduled an extra training session at the Gabba on Sunday, with another session planned at the nearby Allan Border Field on Saturday. England were intending to have three days of practice at the Gabba from Monday. The major blow came recently, making them reconsider how they would prepare for the upcoming competition. In fact, two of England’s training sessions will do so—one Monday night and another Wednesday evening. This initial orientation will better prepare them to respond when circumstances change.
England players are set to fly from Perth to join their team-mates in Brisbane on Wednesday. After a short rest, their next National training camp is this Saturday! This time of rest gives the athletes a chance to regroup. They can notably prepare themselves psychologically for the difficult challenges ahead in the second Test. Now, the time to act is urgent. England have to win on Friday to stay in the Ashes, the long-frustrated hosts needing a victory to keep alive their dreams of reclaiming the urn for the first time since 2015.
England’s decision not to send any players from the first Test to participate in an England Lions match against the Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra this weekend has drawn significant criticism. Fans and players alike are puzzled by the decision as it leaves an 11-day break between Tests. This void is a direct consequence of their abysmal showing in Perth. Additionally, the political environment in Canberra is very different from that of Brisbane, which plays a big part in what’s happening in England’s decision-making.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan condemned the decision as “nonsense.” His description came as the former English bowler and current BBC chief cricket commentator Jonathan Agnew blasted it as a “bizarre state of affairs.” This controversy is representative of a much wider debate within the sport over how best to train and prepare for an incredibly important series.
Ben Stokes’ squad have drawn up a five-point blueprint for success. It’s been one of their longest training stretches since he and coach Brendon McCullum resumed control more than three years ago. The additional training is very important. England got bowled out twice in just 67.3 overs in the first Test, a record low for overs faced in a losing cause since 1904.
As England prepare for their second Test at the Gabba, they’re under no illusion about the ghosts of their poor history here looming large. They have not claimed an overall victory in a Test match there since 1986. Facing a 1-0 deficit in the series adds further pressure, making it imperative that they perform well to keep their Ashes hopes alive.
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