England have booked an extra training session in Brisbane ahead of the second Ashes Test as they look to bounce back from a two-day slump in the series opener in Perth.
The tourists announced on Monday that no first-choice players will travel to Canberra this weekend for their pink-ball tour match against the Prime Minister’s XI, with only batsman Jacob Bethell and seamers Josh Tongue and Matthew Potts joining the Lions group.
England will spend five days together in Brisbane ahead of the day-night Test at The Gabba from December 4. There will be an optional training session on Saturday and an additional training session on Sunday.
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Stuart Broad reflects on England’s collapse in the first Ashes Test against Australia and what exactly went wrong for them to throw away a potential win.
The Saturday morning session will be held at Allan Border Field, while the remaining four practice matches from Sunday to Wednesday will be held at The Gabba.
England were greeted by camera crews as they arrived in Queensland from Western Australia, with Captain Ben Stokes saying: channel 7 Reporter: “We’re thinking about what to do in Brisbane, mate.”
Joe Root added: “We are preparing as best as we can and are looking forward to the next game.”
Joe Root scored 0 and 8 in the Perth Test.
England were scored 172 and 164 in Perth as they suffered their 14th defeat in their last 16 Test matches in Australia. At that time, the remaining two matches resulted in a draw.
Head worried he has upset England bowlers
Australia posted 205 at Optus Stadium, their highest total in a low-scoring game, and cruised to an eight-wicket win in 28.2 overs en route to 123 from 83 deliveries, with temporary opener Travis Head hitting the second-fastest 69-ball ton in The Ashes.
In an interview with Australian radio station Triple M on Thursday, Head said he was wary of upsetting England’s fast bowlers early in the five-Test series.
“I happened to hit a six over Jofra’s (Archer) head, and I calmly walked back and thought, ‘Oh my God, why did I do that?’” the left-hander said.
Travis Head smashed 123 off 83 balls as Australia won the first Ashes Test on the second day.
“Marnus (Labuschagne) came down (to the pitch) and said, ‘I know you’re trying to be cool, but that’s unbelievable.’ He’s yelling and screaming and hooting.
“I’m thinking, ‘Dude, get back on the other side. Any time they can hole me, they can get 150 clicks.'”
Commenting on England’s decision to leave out senior players from this weekend’s pink-ball match, Head added: “You have to respect the fact that they have been a really good team. I think they have a plan and they are doubling down.
“Thanks to them, they will live by the sword or die by the sword and we will see where we are in Brisbane.”
Harry Brook catches a duck in England’s second innings at the Optus Stadium.
Ashes series 2025-26 in Australia
Always UK and Ireland
- First Test (Perth – 21-25 November): Australia beat England by 8 wickets.
- Second test (day/night): Thursday 4 December – Monday 8 December (4am) – The Gabba, Brisbane
- Third test: Wednesday 17 December – Sunday 21 December (11.30pm) – Adelaide Oval
- Fourth test: Thursday 25 December – Monday 29 December (11.30pm) – Melbourne Cricket Ground
- Fifth test: Sunday 4 January – Thursday 8 January (11.30pm) – Sydney Cricket Ground
