The build-up to any Ashes series in Australia provides great entertainment all of its own. This time, as the first test in Perth draws nearer, the contributions from former players in both camps have been unsurprising and surely unnecessary, and also a trifle shrill and irritating. These criticisms can hardly help with preparations for the toughest series of all. Why do old players feel it beholden upon themselves to do this?

These ‘has-beens’, as Ben Stokes has pointedly called them, have effectively been saying ‘things ain’t what they used to be.’ They seldom are and these oldies should move with the times. Ian Botham and Graham Gooch have both said England is not preparing enough, with the team having only one three-day in-house practice game. Michael Vaughan strongly backed their views, while former Aussie opening batsman, the ever belligerent David Warner, has promised us a thumping 4-0 Australian victory.

Rather curiously, two former Australian players have been at least mildly sympathetic to the Poms. Ricky Ponting has described Stokes’s side as the best England team to visit Australia this century. Then, Matthew Hayden promised to walk naked round the Melbourne Cricket Ground if Joe Root does not score the test hundred which has so far eluded him in Australia. I would love to be back in the commentary box if and when Root reaches the nineties!

At this point, England supporters must not lose faith with coach Brendon McCullum and captain Stokes. Since they came together in 2022 they have not only worked miracles, but they have completely........

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