England have responded to their two-day defeat in the first Ashes Test in Perth by adding extra training to their preparations for next week’s crucial pink-ball game at Brisbane’s Gabba.
Ben Stokes’s side will have the option of practising for five days ahead of Thursday’s second Test, a day/night match that makes different demands of the players from the usual red-ball cricket played exclusively in daylight hours.
The ECB said four days’ training had already been scheduled, with the sessions on Monday and Wednesday taking place under lights.
But with the early finish creating an 11-day gap between Tests, and none of England’s first-choice side heading to Canberra to play in a two-day pink-ball game against a Prime Minister’s XI, an extra day on Saturday at Brisbane’s Allan Border Field has been added to the diary.
Australia have won 13 of their 14 day/night games, while England have won only two of their seven, a record that includes three defeats out of three in Australia.
Meanwhile, the Perth Stadium pitch, where the series opener lasted only 847 balls – making it the shortest completed Ashes Test since 1888 – has been rated ‘very good’ by the ICC, the highest possible grading.
Gabba groundsman Dave Sandurski said his aim for next week’s second Test was to ‘provide a wicket where all players get a chance to perform their skills, so hopefully all facets of the game come into the match’.
Australia look likely to welcome back captain Pat Cummins for the Brisbane Test after taking a lead in the series with their resounding win in Perth.
Cummins has not played since July and has been suffering with a lower back injury, but was fit enough to train with his team-mates before the first Test.
He was later seen bowling with a pink ball in Sydney leading to speculation the 32-year-old skipper could make his return to the side at the Gabba. The Aussies’ only injury concern is Usman Khawaja, who struggled with back spasms during last week’s clash.
England meanwhile head into the crucial second Test with no injury concerns but could make changes after their dire batting collapse at the Perth Stadium. Zak Crawley in particular has come under pressure after bagging a pair.
