England have arranged a 50‑over warm‑up match against a Western Australia XI at the historic WACA ground as a prelude to their upcoming One‑Day International (ODI) series against the host nation in November. The decision comes after a wave of criticism that the English side entered the 2025‑26 Ashes series without any meaningful exposure to Australian conditions, having only a solitary intra‑squad game at Lilac Hill as a Test warm‑up.
That limited preparation proved woeful; the English team were humbled 4‑1 in the Ashes, with the first Test in Perth ending in a defeat inside two days on a fast, bouncy pitch that they had never faced in a match situation. White‑ball coach Brendon McCullum, who also oversaw the disastrous Ashes campaign, had publicly expressed a desire to organise warm‑up fixtures this time around. His wish has now been fulfilled: the England side will meet a Western Australia XI on 7 November at the WACA. The match will give the visitors a chance to acclimatise to the pace and bounce of Australian wickets, practice their fielding under local conditions, and fine‑tune the batting order before the official series kicks off.
The first official ODI is slated for 13 November at Perth's Optus Stadium, followed by further games in Adelaide on 15 November and Hobart on 18 November. After the three‑match ODI series, England will transition to the Twenty20 format, playing a five‑match T20 International series across five Australian cities: Melbourne, the Gold Coast (Carrara), Brisbane, Sydney and Canberra. The extensive itinerary offers a comprehensive test of England’s limited‑overs capabilities in a variety of venues and climates.
Squad selections for the tour have yet to be announced, but there are a few hopefuls already generating buzz. All‑rounder Jacob Bethell, who missed the latter part of the English summer due to a knee injury and subsequent surgery, is expected to be fit for the Australian leg of the tour.
His return would bolster England’s middle order and provide a dynamic option with both bat and ball. Before heading to Australia, England will compete in an ODI tri‑series in Pakistan, which also includes Sri Lanka, beginning on 20 October.
The Pakistan series will serve as an additional preparatory platform, allowing the squad to gain match practice in sub‑continental conditions before confronting the unique challenges of Australian pitches. A notable inclusion in the England squad is Glamorgan leg‑spinner Mason Crane, who has been called up in place of the recently dropped Rehan Ahmed. Crane’s selection marks his potential first senior international appearance since the 2017‑18 Ashes, where he endured a difficult debut, recording figures of 1‑193 from 48 overs in a red‑ball match in Sydney.
Since then, Crane has enjoyed a renaissance in domestic cricket during the 2026 season. He featured in all 14 County Championship matches, claiming 34 wickets while also scoring two centuries, an impressive all‑round performance that underscores his development. In the Vitality Blast, he added 15 wickets, further demonstrating his growing prowess in limited‑overs cricket.
Former England captain Michael Atherton praised Crane’s recall on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, describing it as a compelling narrative of resilience. Atherton noted that despite the harsh introduction to Test cricket, Crane showed considerable character and that his figures did not fully reflect his effort. He highlighted Crane’s maturity at 29, his extensive experience, and the regular game time he receives at his county, which have contributed to his improved batting and bowling.
Atherton also contrasted Crane with Ahmed, suggesting that Ahmed is primarily a batsman who bowls leg‑spin, whereas Crane is a genuine leg‑spinner who can also contribute with the bat. He expressed confidence that Crane could be a mainstay in England’s spin department throughout the winter, especially with a Test series in Bangladesh scheduled for February.
Overall, the warm‑up match against Western Australia is a strategic move to address the shortcomings highlighted after the Ashes. It provides England with a realistic simulation of Australian conditions, offers players a chance to regain form and confidence, and allows the coaching staff to assess combinations before the high‑stakes series begins. The combination of the Pakistan tri‑series, the Western Australia warm‑up, and the subsequent ODI and T20 fixtures creates a comprehensive preparation window that should help England avoid the pitfalls of insufficient acclimatisation that plagued them in the Ashes.
By integrating experienced campaigners like Bethell and emerging talents such as Crane, England aim to field a balanced, adaptable side capable of competing across formats in the demanding Australian summer.