Lord Ian Botham claims England’s Ashes warm-up schedule ‘borders on arrogance’ and fears they will go into the series unprepared.
Botham, who was part of two victorious tours of Australia in 1978-79 and 1986-87, played for his country in an era when teams had a long build-up against state sides and he is worried about what lies ahead for Ben Stokes’ side Down Under.
They will play a single three-day warm-up against the touring English Lions at Lilac Hill before heading to the first test at Optus Stadium in Perth on November 21.
Speaking on the first episode of the Old Boys, New Balls Podcast with England rugby union great Sir Bill Beaumont, Botham said: “I’m worried. We’re going to walk in and have a game with the ‘A’ team.”
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(Mike Egerton/PA)
Arrogance
“(It’ll be) ‘Okay buddy, how are you? Good job’ and we’re going to perform?
“Not one (state match) that borders on arrogance. You have to give yourself a chance. They say we play too much cricket… I don’t think you play enough.”
“The conditions are different when you play cricket in Australia: the sun, the heat, the bouncing, the crowd, the Australian players, you have to get used to that.
“You’re not playing against the Australian cricket team, you’re playing against Australia – 24.5 million people.”
(Mike Egerton/PA)
Worrying
Botham is particularly concerned about the state of the bowling attack. He suggested that a cautious approach to workload management could be counterproductive.
“Look at the injury record – (Mark) Wood, (Jofra) Archer, Ben Stokes, Brydon Carse…they’re not playing enough,” he added. “You get fit by playing.
“If things go terribly wrong, Mark Wood breaks down in the first game, or Jofra Archer, or Ben can’t bowl, then suddenly we’re chasing the eight-ball before we’ve even started. It’s a worry.”
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