WHEN we heard England was considering sending some players to Canberra for the Lions game, we assumed it would be those in need of practice.
The three they are sending – Jacob Bethell, Josh Tongue and Matthew Potts – did not feature in the first Test in Perth and seem highly unlikely to play in the second in Brisbane. It is a bizarre situation.
England’s original plan was not to send anyone for the game against the Prime Minister’s XI, so little has changed. The likes of Zak Crawley, Joe Root and Harry Brook, who appear to need some time at the crease, will be off to Brisbane to bat in the nets.
England is responsible for their preparation and their performances on the field. They are responsible for giving it their best shot of winning the Ashes. The proof of the pudding will be in the eating.
Australia is a superb team in day-night Tests – they have won 13 of their 14 pink-ball matches. Mitchell Starc is outstanding in those conditions.
Just because Australia is accustomed to these matches and England is not, it does not mean England cannot win.
But there is a huge question about whether England would be better prepared playing a game under lights than spending time in the nets in Brisbane.
England – the management, players and administrators – will be held to account at the end of the Ashes if their plans do not work.

In the aftermath of the heavy defeat in the first Test I have been struck by the genuine anger among supporters.
People have spent a lot of money and there is real frustration, a depth of feeling I don’t think I have seen before. The England team ignored that at their peril.
It was the worst defeat of an England team I have seen in a Test in this country. They should have won. Instead, the game was tossed away calamitously and feebly.(BBC Sport)