Revealed: the Ashes preparation plan England rejected

England rejected Australia A warm-up down under ahead of the Ashes: Report

England skipped a warm-up match against Australia A. This choice was part of a shortened Ashes tour plan. Now, England trails Australia two-nil. The team opted for an internal trial instead of a formal game.

Revealed: the Ashes preparation plan England rejected

England rejected the opportunity to play Australia A on a major ground – possibly on a lively pitch at the MCG – in favour of the truncated preparations that have led to a 0-2 Ashes deficit with three Tests to play.

2-0 down in series: England's Ashes hopes hang by a thread as 'Bazball' backfires

Five things that have gone wrong for England

After just six days of cricket, England are 2-0 down in the Ashes series with three matches to play. Their “Bazball” style of ultra-attacking cricket is under fire following crushing eight-wicket defeats in Perth and Brisbane. AFP Sport looks at what has gone wrong for England so far. Approach Coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes injected fresh energy into an England side that had won just one of 17 Tests when they joined forces in 2022…