Need to know
The England cricket team's preparations are under the spotlight after Ben Stokes's side capitulated to a two-day defeat in the first Test in Perth
12:11, 29 Nov 2025
Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum during an England training session in Brisbane(Image: Getty Images)
Everything you need to know about England's preparations for the crucial second Ashes Test in Brisbane
Increased Focus on Training Sessions: The England team has scheduled extra, more intense training sessions in Brisbane following the first Test, which they somehow lost despite being in a dominant position early on day two. This departure from their usual, more relaxed preparation aims to help the team adapt to the unique conditions at the Gabba.
Opting Out of a Pink-Ball Warm-up Match: The first-choice Test players are not participating in the pink-ball tour match against a Prime Minister's XI in Canberra. Head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes chose to keep the main squad together for tailored training rather than playing in the warm-up fixture.
Emphasis on Pink-Ball and Night Conditions: Several of the scheduled practice sessions in Brisbane will take place after dark under floodlights. This is essential preparation as the second Test will be a day-night match, where the pink Kookaburra ball behaves differently under lights.
Acclimatisation to Brisbane's Climate: The team is training to get used to the humid and sticky conditions of Brisbane, which is a significant change from the climate of the first Test venue in Perth. This is a crucial physical adjustment, as the high humidity is expected to make playing conditions more challenging.
Maintaining Team Morale and Philosophy: Stokes has publicly stated his team will "take the rough with the smooth" and are desperate to bounce back from the Perth loss. The team is trying to maintain confidence in their aggressive 'Bazball' approach, despite external criticism of their strategy and preparation.
Justifying the Decision to Skip the Tour Match: Captain Stokes defended the decision to avoid the Canberra warm-up, noting that the pitch and climate there are very different from the Gabba. He believes the bespoke training in Brisbane is more valuable for preparing for the specific, unique conditions of the day-night Test.
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