Former Captain Questions England's Ashes Strategy
Former Australian Test captain Kim Hughes has expressed serious doubts about England's Ashes preparations, particularly focusing on fast bowler Jofra Archer's training regimen. Archer arrived in Australia with several teammates more than two weeks before the first Test at Optus Stadium on November 21, but notably missed all training sessions in Perth this week.
England officials gave the 30-year-old seamer the week off while his teammates underwent intensive training at Lilac Hill. This decision raises eyebrows given Archer's well-documented durability issues, having played only two Test matches in the past four years due to persistent injuries.
England's Bowling Concerns Mount
Archer is considered by many as England's most potent weapon this summer, having emerged as a superstar during the 2019 Ashes series where his raw pace troubled Australian batsmen, including concussing superstar Steve Smith with a vicious bouncer. However, the bowler hasn't faced Australia in Test cricket since that series and is experiencing his first Ashes tour down under.
Hughes suggested England should be more concerned about their own vulnerable bowling attack than the hosts, despite Australia missing captain Pat Cummins for the series opener due to a back injury. "Wood has got his leg bandaged up, but Jofra Archer has played two Test matches in four years... if you're relying on him and he hasn't had a net yet," Hughes told The West Australian.
The former captain emphasized that England's concerns extend beyond just Archer. Mark Wood, leading England's inexperienced attack, is returning from a serious knee injury and admitted last week he hasn't been bowling at full capacity. Captain Ben Stokes is also recovering from a shoulder injury sustained in July that forced him to miss the final Test against India.
Spin Bowling Disparity and Perth Conditions
Hughes also highlighted the significant gap between the teams' spin bowling resources. He expressed little concern about England's primary spin option Shoaib Bashir, who enters the series with 68 wickets from 19 Tests at an average of 39, compared to Australia's Nathan Lyon, whom Hughes described as "the GOAT" (Greatest Of All Time).
The former Australian skipper identified the new ball as the crucial factor in Perth conditions, whether at the traditional WACA ground or the newer Optus Stadium. "The challenge for both sides will be early with the batting against the new ball," Hughes stated. "That is the traditional challenge when you're playing in Perth - it's the new ball that does the damage 99 per cent of the time."
Hughes explained that teams facing early batting collapses could find themselves in serious trouble from the outset, noting that "if either side get through early that's a big plus for them. Otherwise you could be three or four down for not many and then you're struggling from the get go."
Former England captain Michael Vaughan also voiced concerns about England's limited preparation in Australian conditions. While not advocating for multiple warm-up games, Vaughan noted the challenge of adjusting from Lilac Hill's low-bouncing pitch to Optus Stadium's higher bounce. "That's going to be a real challenge for this England side," he told the Following On podcast.
England's full squad will be in Perth this week, ramping up preparations with a three-day match against the English Lions - their only warm-up game before the Ashes series begins.
