England’s subdued preparations in the lead-up to the Ashes 2025 opener have raised concerns, with legendary all-rounder Ian Botham slamming the Bazballers for their lack of intensity 10 days out from the series opener.
Gearing up for the first ball at the Optus Stadium in Perth, starting November 21, England have opted against a preparatory First-Class game Down Under after their mixed white-ball tour to New Zealand, where they were clean-swept in the ODI leg.
England did not have its full squad in Perth until last Sunday and will play one internal match before the series-opener starts in the Western Australian capital on November 21.
All but one of Australia’s Ashes squad, meanwhile, are warming up with the red ball in domestic Sheffield Shield matches around the country.
‘Not the way I’d prepare’
“It’s not the way I would prepare,” Botham told reporters in Melbourne on Tuesday.
“I think historically you have to acclimatise when you come down here. You’ve got to remember there are 24 million people down here, not 11. And you have to take that on board. The ball does seem to get to you quicker (in Perth), and the light’s different. You’ve got the ‘Fremantle Doctor’; there are all kinds of things that go into the melting pot,” he added.
England were drubbed 0-4 on their last Ashes tour in 2021-22, and though Botham expects a better result this time, a lot will hinge on the form and fitness of captain Ben Stokes.
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“It’s one of those big ifs,” the 69-year-old said.
“If England’s bowlers can stay fit, which doesn’t happen very often, and the captain can play a full part, then I think England have got a real chance,” Botham noted.
Botham said England could consider unleashing a four-prong pace attack against Australia, saying West Indies had done pretty well with a similar strategy in 2024 and split a two-Test series 1-1 with Pat Cummins’s team.
“I think it’s the right way. You want to be aggressive, come through and players, if they’re not playing very well, don’t like it in the ribs. So, yeah, it’ll be interesting,” he said.
– With Reuters inputs
