England refuse pink-ball warm-up against Prime Minister’s XI despite Perth Test humiliation
Table of Contents
The England Ashes Men's squad released three players—Jacob Bethell, Matthew Potts, and Josh Tongue to join the England Lions squad for the upcoming two-day fixture against the Australian Prime Minister's XI.
England are currently on their tour to Australia for the year of legacy and the Ashes tournament, while the England Lions are also on their tour to the Australian islands for a tour parallel to the main Ashes tour.
Australia won the first Ashes game with sheer domination from the Australian speedster Mitchell Starc, who picked a ten-wicket haul in the game. Travis Head then guided Australia to an 8-wicket victory alongside Marnus Labuschagne.
Jacob Bethell, Matthew Potts, and Josh Tongue to join Lions Squad
England have released three of their players from the Ashes main squad as they are likely to be drafted into the English Lions squad for the upcoming game against the Prime Minister's XI.
These players will not be part of the next Ashes game against Australia at the Gabba. The players who have been released are, namely, Josh Tongue, Matthew Potts, and Jacob Bethell.
These players did not feature in the playing XI of the first Test and are just injury substitutes of the main England XI.
England looking to bounce back in Brisbane
England arrived at the Optus Stadium in Perth and played the Ashes opener against what they called the weakest Australian side of the century.
The Australian side also lacked their dangerous bowling trio in the form of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood. The two pacers were not part of the Australian playing XI.
However, their batting collapsed to Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland and was then left bruised by Travis Head's carnage. Australia defeated England in their second straight game after the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
Usman Khawaja, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood to be ruled out of Brisbane
The Australian team have suffered with many massive blows as the likes of Usman Khawaja, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood have been ruled out due to massive injuries.
While Cummins was ruled out months ago, his injury remains on the line, and no confirmation on his return ahead of The Gabba Test has been provided. However, Hazlewood was injured recently and is set to return, but not before the second Ashes Test.
Lastly, Usman Khawaja was injured last game and might not be guaranteed to open the innings for Australia, but is not likely to get dropped from the team by any means. His back injury was a concern, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Australia as captain Steve Smith sent in Travis Head as his replacement.
Head, who is much different from Khawaja, scored runs very quickly and gave the pressure back to the English bowlers, who almost made the 200 target look like a minor chase over such a tough track.
Tagged:
England National Cricket Team Australia National Cricket Team England vs Australia Jacob Bethell Matthew Potts Josh Tongue The Ashes Ashes
