London, Nov 24: England’s build-up to the second Ashes Test has descended into confusion, with the decision to send Jacob Bethell, Josh Tongue and Matthew Potts to Canberra for the Lions fixture raising more questions than answers.
None of the trio featured in the heavy defeat in Perth, and with virtually no chance of playing in Brisbane, the move has left many baffled.
Originally, England had no intention of sending any players to face the Prime Minister’s XI.
Yet despite suffering one of their most humbling Test losses in recent memory, the management has stuck to the same plan. Meanwhile, senior batters like Zak Crawley, Joe Root and Harry Brook — all desperately needing time in the middle — will instead head straight to Brisbane for net sessions rather than a proper match under lights.
It has fuelled debate about whether England are preparing intelligently for a pink-ball Test in unfamiliar conditions. Australia have dominated day-night cricket for years, winning 13 of their 14 outings, with Mitchell Starc a master under the lights. England, comparatively, are choosing nets over match practice at a time when confidence is at rock bottom.Responsibility lies squarely with England’s leadership group. Their planning, selection and readiness will be judged harshly if the Ashes slip away. And after the meek collapse in Perth, anger among travelling supporters has reached an intensity rarely seen. Many spent significant sums to be in the stands, only to watch England unravel feebly in a match they should have won.That defeat — labelled by some observers as the worst England performance they have witnessed on home soil — has magnified scrutiny on the team’s approach under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum. Stokes insisted moments after the loss that the side works hard, and few doubt their physical effort or fitness. But even former players are now asking whether hard work is being applied in the right areas.
The aggressive approach adopted since Stokes and McCullum took charge initially revived an England side that had won just once in 17 Tests. The cricket was thrilling, the mood buoyant and the crowds re-energised. Yet critics warned that the ultra-positive method would struggle against higher-quality opposition. Recent results support that fear: England have played three five-Test series under this regime and won none, and they now have more defeats than victories.(Agencies)
