The low-key build-up to the first Ashes Test in Perth made headlines this week after local media suggested England’s tourists were spending more time on the fairways than in the nets. The West Australian ran a provocative article claiming that several England players had been “spotted playing golf amid quiet preparations” ahead of kick-off – an allegation that has now become central to a wider debate about the visitors’ preparedness.
The front-page cheer to welcome the arrival of the tourists – including the now-viral splash branding Ben Stokes a “cocky England captain complainer” – only fueled the bogus war. The coverage, which some described as deliberately theatrical, focused on images of the arriving team and a handful of players photographed on the golf course in the previous days. the first Test.
Stokes was among those playing golf at the Araluen Estate, an 18-hole course outside Perth, ahead of England’s only warm-up game. England then went on to play the England Lions in a tournament at Lilac Hill between 13 and 15 November.
Andrew Flintoff, the England Lions coach, also joined the players for a golf session.
Ben Stokes and Ollie Pope playing golf in Perth (Courtesy: Araluen Estate Instagram)
Much has already been said about England’s preparations for the much-anticipated Ashes. While Australia’s Test stars – including stand-in captain Steve Smith – have been playing domestic cricket in the Sheffield Shield, England have only had one practice match.
Although Test regulars such as Joe Root and returning captain Ben Stokes arrived early, others – including white-ball captain Harry Brook – took part in the limited-overs series in New Zealand until 1 November.
Former players and pundits were quick to weigh in. Ian Botham, among other former England greats, has expressed skepticism about whether the current approach is adequate for an Ashes series in Australia, arguing that the tourists risk being undercooked due to the unique pace and bounce they will face.
STOKES DEFENDS ENGLAND PREP
Stokes though decided to publicly push back rather than back down. Speaking to reporters in Perth, the captain dismissed criticism from former players as the predictable soundtrack of a high-profile tour.
“To be honest, I’m not really sure what else we should be doing. We’ve been preparing for this for a long time. There’s state cricket going on at the moment – there’s a few Aussie boys playing – and of course there’s time to consider. Some of our team have been in New Zealand recently for the series so it’s a pretty busy schedule in Perth last week,” Stokes said.
“Preparation today is not quite like it was 10, 15 or 30 years ago; a lot has changed in cricket. But we put a lot of time and effort into how we prepare for every series and that hasn’t changed for this one. Come the 21st of this month, we’ll know we’ve done everything to be in the right place to start the tour.”
Stokes himself is returning to competitive action for the first time since July when he suffered a shoulder injury during a Test match against India in Manchester. He looked good during the warm-up, scoring 92 during the match – including an unbeaten 77 in the first innings – and taking six wickets with the ball.
The dispute eventually turns into a clash of expectations. Australian commentators and tabloids revel in the pre-series – a rivalry fueled by mind games – while England’s camp insist modern planning, workloads and logistics leave little room for the extended warm-up tour some ex-players romanticise. Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum have repeatedly stressed that the team’s planning is tailored to contemporary cricket and that images of the players on the golf course should not be mistaken for a lack of professionalism.
Nevertheless, the optics concern many. Playing a leisurely round of golf just days before a Test in Perth – a venue known for its pace and transfer – makes for easy copying and gives critics more ammunition to argue that Australian conditions require intensive acclimatisation.
The England management will be hoping the debate dies down once the cricket starts.
On Tuesday, England stepped up their innings in Perth with fast bowler Mark Wood at full tilt. The tourists, who last won the Ashes in 2011, are expected to field a five-man attack led by Jorfa Archer and captain Stokes.
England hope Wood can join an already fiery squad of Jofra Archer, Brydon Cars and Gus Atkinson. If Wood doesn’t come through OK, England may turn to Josh Tongue, with plans suggesting spinner Shoaib Bashir could be left out for the series opener in Perth.
– The end
Issued by:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
November 18, 2025
