Former England captain Michael Vaughan has bitten back at Ben Stokes after the country’s current leader dismissed criticism of their preparations for the Ashes as coming from “has-beens”.

The tourists’ lead-in to the blockbuster series — which includes only one three-day hit-out against their ‘A’ side the England Lions, which started on Thursday — has been widely questioned.

Legendary all-rounder Sir Ian Botham led the chorus of criticism, saying earlier this month not playing any games against Australian State sides “borders on arrogance”.

But before training at Lilac Hill on Wednesday, Stokes said the jam-packed nature of the modern schedule made a longer build-up to the series impossible.

“I don’t really know what we’re supposed to do, to be honest,” Stokes said.

“Come the 21st of

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