Star-studded Sheffield Shield round launches final Ashes preparation
Only one member of Australia’s Ashes squad will miss this week’s Sheffield Shield matches as the team completes its last warm-up ahead of the upcoming home Ashes series. Every player except Usman Khawaja is set to take part in state games at the SCG, WACA, and Bellerive Oval.
Over the same period, England’s squad will stage a three-day intra-squad game at Perth’s Lilac Hill, a ground that has not previously hosted a men’s international match. The preparation approach has drawn attention, particularly from former England captain Michael Vaughan, who criticized the disparity in conditions compared with those at Optus Stadium.
Australian players have avoided commenting on England’s chosen methods, focusing instead on their own readiness for the first Test.
“England can prepare however they want to prepare. I am not worried about how they're preparing or anything to do with them until the morning of November 21,” said Nathan Lyon.
England’s limited on-tour preparations are not unusual. With their schedule packed, meaningful practice matches have become rare. When Australia toured England in 2023, they also went into the Test Championship final and the initial Ashes matches without any warm-up games—and still emerged victorious.
Author’s Summary
Australia’s Ashes squad, nearly complete in Sheffield Shield action, fine-tunes at home while England opts for limited warm-ups in Perth despite contrasting conditions.