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Joe Root says England are in a better position to overcome a soft lead-in to the Ashes with him as captain than they were four years ago, when they were beaten 5-0.
England will play their last four-day warm-up match on what is expected to be a slow Townsville wicket against an inexperienced Cricket Australia XI, starting Wednesday.
The clash is their second against the young CA XI – after last week’s pink-ball tour match in Adelaide – while their only other game has been against an invitational Western Australian XI that featured only a few Sheffield Shield players.
That program is similar to the lead-up to the 2013-14 whitewash, while they also played a warm-up match against Australia A that was destroyed by rain.
But Root says the lack of genuine Test similarity in their warm-up matches is not a concern.
“I remember last time around it was very similar – same sort of sides that we played against and surfaces we played on,” Root said.
“You’ve just got to make the most of it. I think mentally we’ve approached it slightly different this time around and probably slightly better.”
The CA XI’s squad’s only former Test player – Tim Paine – has return to the Sheffield Shield with Tasmania, leaving NSW quick Gurinder Sandhu as the sole player with senior international experience.
Last week’s Adelaide pitch was also particularly slow, meaning England’s preparation will likely be in stark contrast to what will be served up at the Gabba next week as Australia prepare to unleash Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins together for the first time.
Again, Root is not worried.
“We’ve got to get the most out of four days of cricket,” he said.
“There are certain things you can do yourself and as a side to get ready. We’ve just got to make the most of it.
“And when we do get out on the field this week we need to really knuckle down and do it our best.”
Meanwhile, England are unconcerned by star quick James Anderson’s health ahead of next week’s opening Test.
The veteran bowler skipped last week’s match in Adelaide, and won’t play again this week after missing training on Tuesday through illness.
“Jimmy’s is a bit under the weather,” Root said.
“I’m sure over the next couple of days he will be back to full fitness and getting ready for that first Test.”
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