Former England captain Michael Vaughan has launched a scathing attack on the current team's decision to take an extended break rather than play a crucial warm-up match, branding the move "absolutely stupid" following their devastating two-day defeat in the first Ashes Test.
A Crushing Defeat and a Controversial Choice
England's hopes in the Ashes series suffered a massive blow as Australia secured a comprehensive eight-wicket victory in Perth inside just two days. The defeat, the most catastrophic in the so-called 'Bazball' era, saw England dismissed for a paltry 164 in their second innings, handing the hosts a commanding 205-run lead.
The tourists' batting lineup collapsed dramatically, with Mitchell Starc producing a devastating spell of 7-58 in the first innings. Despite a brief fightback led by captain Ben Stokes, which saw England take nine Australian wickets on the first day, the team failed to capitalise. Travis Head then smashed the second-fastest century in Ashes history, reaching his hundred off just 69 balls to seal an emphatic win for Australia.
Vaughan's Fierce Critique of England's Preparation
In the aftermath of the humiliation, England's first-choice players were given a choice: an 11-day rest or participation in a two-day, day-night tour match against the Prime Minister's XI in Canberra. The fixture was seen as vital preparation for the second Test in Brisbane, which will be played under lights with a pink ball.
Vaughan argued passionately that skipping this match would be a grave error. "If they don't play that two-day game on the back of losing here in two days... they're absolutely stupid," the ex-skipper stated. He emphasised that the match offered a unique opportunity to gain essential experience with the pink ball ahead of the Brisbane Test, facing bowlers like Starc in similar conditions.
Despite his plea, the BBC has confirmed that none of the players from the first Test have been selected for the Canberra match. Instead, the squad will travel to Brisbane for an extended period of rest, with training not scheduled to resume until the following Monday.
What Comes Next for England?
This decision has raised serious questions about England's strategy and their ability to bounce back in the series. With the batting order crumbling and the team's tactics under intense scrutiny, the choice to prioritise rest over specific pink-ball practice is a major gamble.
Players like Josh Tongue, Matthew Potts, and Jacob Bethell will join the Lions squad, but the core team that failed in Perth will be absent from the competitive warm-up. As Vaughan starkly put it, the team now has a clear choice: "Go play those two days, get a view of the pink ball under the lights, it might just give them a chance of coming back. If they go and play golf for seven or eight days, go on the beaches..." The implication was clear – one path offers a chance at redemption, the other risks further failure.
All eyes will now be on the day-night Test in Brisbane to see if England's extended break proves to be a masterstroke or a critical misstep in their quest to reclaim the Ashes urn.
