Sport

Cricket

The Ashes

Opinion

Attention England: It’s not personal, us ‘has-beens’ just want you to win the Ashes

There has rightly been much focus on England’s preparation for this Ashes series, which is so different to the traditional method.

But the truth is, we cannot judge how they have prepared until January 8. We cannot judge it after this week’s intra-squad three-day warm-up, which they say will be “balls to the wall”. We cannot even judge it after the crucial first Test.

We can only truly know if it has worked when the series is over, and whether Ben Stokes has the urn in his hands.

Supporters have to trust that England know what they are doing and that this method will bring results, even if it is anathema to many.

Equally, England have to accept that there will be scr

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