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God ian botham Claims England’s Ashes practice schedule is “bordering on arrogance” and concerns they will go into the series underprepared.
Botham, who was part of Australia’s two victorious tours in 1978–79 and 1986–87, performed brilliantly for his country in an era when teams enjoyed long preparation periods against state teams and he is worried about what awaits Ben Stokes’ side.
They will play a single three-day practice game against Yatra England The Lions at Lilac Hill before traveling to Perth’s Optus Stadium for the first Test on 21 November.
Speaking with the great Sir of England Rugby Union on the first episode of the Old Boys, New Balls podcast bill beaumontBotham said: “I’m worried. We’re going to go around and play a bit of a game with the ‘A’ team.
“(It’ll be) ‘Okay buddy, how are you? Good’ and we’re going to go and perform?”
“Not a single (state match) which borders on arrogance. You have to give yourself a chance. They are saying 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 bounce, the crowds, the Australian players, you have to get used to it all. You’re not playing against the Australian cricket team, you’re playing against Australia – 24.5 million people.”
Botham is particularly concerned about the state of the bowling attack, suggesting that a cautious approach to workload management could be counterproductive.
He said, “Bowlers are not fit in the gym, it has been proved.”
“Look at the injury record – (Mark) Wood, (Jofra) Archer, ben stokesBrayden Carsay…he doesn’t play enough. Playing makes you fit.
“If it goes terribly wrong, Mark Wood breaks down in the first game, or Jofra Archer breaks down, or Ben doesn’t bowl, then suddenly we’re chasing eight balls before we even start. That’s a concern.”