England are getting a solid chance to prepare ahead of the day-night Test in the Ashes series in Australia.
Initially, it was said that the match against the England ‘A’ team would be their only warm-up fixture before the Ashes. But now, England will have another opportunity — a two-day pink-ball match against the Australian Prime Minister’s XI.
This match will be played on November 29 and 30 at Manuka Oval in Canberra, following the first Test in Perth. As it will be a day-night game under lights with the pink ball, it serves as perfect preparation for the pink-ball Test scheduled in Brisbane.
Clashes between touring teams and the Prime Minister’s XI have been a tradition in Australia for many years. These used to be one-day matches, but since West Indies’ 2022–23 tour, they’ve been turned into two-day games. Even last season, India played a two-day match against the same side, although rain washed out the first day, forcing it to be shortened to a one-day game.
This year’s Ashes will begin with the Perth Test on November 21. Before that, from November 13 to 15, England’s Test team will play a practice game against England ‘A’ at Lincoln Hill in Perth. Though this game is more like a centre-wicket training session, tickets for the first day are already sold out.
The second Ashes Test — the day-night match — begins December 4 in Brisbane, followed by Tests in Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney.
