With just 24 hours until the first ball is bowled in the highly anticipated Ashes series, England's key players were seen embracing a surprisingly relaxed approach in the heart of Perth.
Captain Ben Stokes and fast bowler Mark Wood were photographed enjoying a casual coffee together outside the State Buildings on St Georges Terrace on Thursday, presenting a picture of calm before the storm.
Calm Before the Storm: England's Relaxed Build-Up
The sight of England's stars seemingly at ease comes as the team has faced criticism for what some have called a lackadaisical preparation for the biggest Test series in cricket. Stokes himself has had to deflect these concerns, appearing confident that a three-day warm-up match against the England Lions was sufficient preparation.
All eyes are particularly on Mark Wood, who is now likely to bowl the first ball of the Ashes for England. The 35-year-old paceman overcame a recent hamstring scare to earn his spot in the line-up for the Perth Test. Selectors were convinced by his strong net session on Wednesday, taking a gamble on the bowler despite his injury history.
Swann Dismisses 'BazBall' and Talks Home Ground Advantage
As the tactical debate rages, former England spinner Graeme Swann has weighed in, directly challenging the narrative around England's much-discussed 'BazBall' style. "Bazball doesn't exist," Swann stated bluntly. He argued that aggressive cricket, when played properly, can succeed anywhere and that the label is a myth.
Swann, a member of England's 2010-11 Ashes-winning squad, also claimed that Australia may have surrendered a key advantage by moving the Test from the WACA to the Perth Stadium. "I think the WACA is an absolute fortress... Thankfully, Australia decided not to play at the WACA this year... So I think you've lost your home advantage," he said.
He made a bold prediction for the series, forecasting an England victory by a 3-1 margin because he believes they are the better team. Furthermore, Swann emphasised the critical importance of the first Test, stating, "whoever wins this first test, I reckon, will win the series."
A Daunting Challenge in the West
History is firmly against the visiting English side in Western Australia. The Poms have not tasted victory in a Test match in WA since 1978, when they beat an Australian team weakened by World Series Cricket defections.
This match will mark the first Ashes Test played at Perth Stadium, with England's last appearance in Western Australia during an Ashes tour dating back to 2017, before the new stadium was opened. The pressure is on for Stokes and his men to reverse decades of misfortune and start the series on a high note.
