7 h. ago Ben Stokes dismisses criticism of Ashes preparations from ‘has

Ex-Australia opener Simon Katich joined attacks on England’s schedule, telling the West Australian newspaper it was ‘asking for trouble’.

Politics

24 h. ago Ben Stokes in ‘beast mode’ for Ashes after injury setback, claims England star

Ben Duckett is full of admiration for the way England captain Ben Stokes is preparing for the Ashes after injuring his shoulder in the summer

Events

25 h. ago Trescothick defends England’s Ashes buildup and shrugs off hypocrisy jibes

Botham echoes criticism over single warm-up gameTrescothick laughs off linking mints to SandpapergateMarcus Trescothick has defended England’s Ashes preparations after Ian Botham joined a chorus of criticism from former players over the decision to schedule just a single warm-up game, saying ex-professionals need to bear in mind that “times have dramatically changed in the way that cricket is done”.England’s assistant coach also laughed off attempts from the Australian media to compare his use of mints to help the ball swing in the 2005 Ashes with their own players’ notorious Sandpapergate controversy. Continue reading...

Politics

32 h. ago Ian Botham fires new salvo at England’s lack of Ashes preparations

England to play just one intra-squad match before start of seriesTourists need more red-ball practice, says former all-rounderIan Botham has launched a fresh broadside at the decision by England to arrange just a single intra-squad match before the start of the Ashes, saying the tourists need more red ball practice in Australia and time to get used to local crowds.The last group of England’s players only arrived in Perth on Sunday, less than two weeks before the start of the first Test on 21 November. England will play the Lions on Thursday in their only Ashes warm-up. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Kevin Pietersen reveals tennis ball trick to prepare for Mitchell Johnson speed in Ashes

Pietersen discussed how he got ready for Australian seamer Johnson in the first Test of the 2013/14 Ashes

Politics

3 w. ago No Ashes talk in England camp, says Harry Brook before New Zealand series

White-ball captain’s focus ‘in the moment’ before T20sBlack Cap luminary Tim Southee set for coaching roleHarry Brook says there has been no Ashes talk in the England camp as the tourists prepare for “a hell of a long winter”, with the white-ball captain’s determination to “stay in the moment” so strong that he has not even noticed the ramping-up of pre-series trash talk by David Warner and Stuart Broad.The England squad arrived in Christchurch on Wednesday after the three-day bonding break in Queenstown for their six-match series against New Zealand, which concludes in Wellington on 1 November. Continue reading...

Politics

last month England’s Ashes preparation borders on arrogance – Lord Ian Botham

The former England all-rounder is worried Ben Stokes’ side will be underprepared for the first Test in Perth due to the lack of warm-up matches.

Politics