Cricket
Motorsport
Basketball test
League - Test
Combat Sports
Netball
Football
“Madness”: The big Ashes risk England is taking
Andrew Slevison • November 5th, 2025 11:55 am
Jimmy Maher believes England is taking a massive risk ahead of the Ashes series against Australia.
The Queensland great and former Aussie ODI batsman believes a distinct lack of game time in the lead-up to the opener in Perth could come back to bite Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum’s side.
The Poms played some ODI cricket in New Zealand through late October into early November but their red-ball minutes will be lacking with just a three-day tour game against their second-tier England Lions XI in Perth from November 13
Maher has labelled the strategy as “madness”, especially given they’re bringing with them a number of players who have little to no experience in Australian conditions.
“England coming here late with not a lot of warm-up games is a big risk,” Maher said on SENQ.
“Back in the day they used to have a couple of tour games or a game against one of the states or even the Lilac Hill game (is an intra-squad friendly).
“I could be made to look like a fool but I think that’s a really bad preparation. Coming to Australia is not an easy thing. Some of the touring party probably haven’t been here before or haven’t played here much.
“I just think you’re sort of playing with fire if you’re going into a really important summer here against Australia who have a tremendous record in our own country. I just think it’s madness that they’re not playing enough games of cricket to get themselves ready.
“Their fist two assignments are on our bounciest two pitches in Perth and Brisbane. It’s a really big risk.
“If they go 2-0 down I can’t see them coming back.”
From an Australian perspective, the initial 15-man squad will be named at 12pm AEDT today.
Maher named his top six but with one proviso - Beau Webster is in ‘if’ Cam Green is unable to bowl because of his side injury.
Maher’s Aussie batting lineup
1 - Usman Khawja2 - Matt Renshaw3 - Marnus Labuschagne4 - Steve Smith5 - Travis Head6 - Beau Webster (Cam Green if he can bowl)
The first Ashes Test between Australia and England gets underway at Optus Stadium in Perth on November 21.
