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No Stokes, Root! England allow only 3 back-up Ashes squad members for PM XI pink-ball fixture

Sakshi Sharma

Josh Tongue and Jacob Bethell (Source: AFP)Josh Tongue and Jacob Bethell (Source: AFP)

In a significant development, ahead of the second Ashes Test, England have released three players, Jacob Bethell, Matthew Potts, and Josh Tongue, from their main Test squad to join the England Lions for a two-day match against the Prime Minister’s XI starting November 29 in Canberra.

The fixture, scheduled at Manuka Oval, will be a day-night affair played with the pink ball, giving the players valuable practice under lights ahead of the upcoming pink-ball Test in Brisbane. According to an ECB statement, the Lions squad, including the three players moving from the Ashes group, will travel from Perth to Canberra on Tuesday.

“The Lions group, including the three players linking up from the Ashes squad, will travel from Perth to Canberra on Tuesday,” England Cricket Board said in a statement.

England avoid risking first-choice Test XI

Despite calls from several former cricketers to give England’s frontline players match practice in Australian conditions, the team management chose not to include any member of their starting XI in the PM’s XI fixture. Instead, the main Ashes squad will continue intensive net sessions at the Gabba, focusing on preparing specifically for the second Test.

This decision by England could be aimed at managing players' workloads and avoiding unnecessary injuries midway through the series.

Australia head into the second Test with strong momentum after a commanding 8-wicket win in Perth, wrapping up the match in just two days. The game saw a stunning display from Travis Head, who smashed 123 runs off 83 balls. 

The fast bowlers from both sides dominated the contest, with 30 wickets falling in just 113 overs. Set 205 runs to win, Australia chased down the target with ease, finishing at 205/2, thanks to Head’s explosive innings and Marnus Labuschagne’s unbeaten 51. 

The second Ashes Test between Australia and England will begin on December 4 at The Gabba in Brisbane. With the series already 1-0 in Australia’s favour, England will be under pressure to bounce back strongly in the pink-ball Test.