England legend Ian Botham believes Ben Stokes’ men will be undercooked heading into the Ashes, declaring that England’s warm-up schedule for the blockbuster series “borders on arrogance”.

Before the five-Test campaign gets underway in late November, England will play six white-ball matches against the Black Caps in New Zealand before a three-day warm-up contest against the travelling England Lions in Perth.

In generations past, touring England squads would prepare for an Ashes tour with multiple warm-up games, including red-ball contests against the state sides.

Botham, who won Ashes series in Australia in 1978/79 and 1986/97, confessed he was “worried” about the England team’s limited preparation for the marquee series.

“We’re going to wander in and have a little game with the ‘A’ tea

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