England’s cricket team will face a Western Australia XI in a 50‑over warm‑up match at the historic WACA ground before the start of their One‑Day International series against the hosts in November. The decision comes after the side attracted criticism for not playing any local opposition ahead of the humiliating Ashes defeat they suffered last winter. During the 2023‑24 Ashes, England’s only preparation for the Test series was an intra‑squad game held at Lilac Hill, a modest club venue that offered none of the steep bounce and extra‑pace that characterise Perth’s WACA.
That lack of realistic practice was cited as a factor in England’s 4‑1 series loss, culminating in a two‑day defeat in the opening Test. White‑ball coach Brendon McCullum, who oversaw the Test side during that drubbing, had previously said he wanted to arrange proper warm‑up fixtures for the upcoming tour.
The plan is now confirmed: on 7 November, England will play a Western Australia XI at the WACA. The first official ODI against Australia follows on 13 November at Perth’s Optus Stadium, with subsequent matches scheduled for Adelaide on 15 November and Hobart on 18 November.
After the ODI leg, McCullum’s men will contest a five‑match T20 International series, with games set across Melbourne, Carrara (Gold Coast), Brisbane, Sydney and Canberra. The squad for the tour has not yet been announced, but there are a few key selections that fans are already watching closely.
One of the most eagerly anticipated returns is that of Jacob Bethell, who missed the latter part of England’s home summer after undergoing knee surgery. If he regains full fitness, he could add a dynamic left‑handed option to the middle order.
Before heading to Australia, England will take part in an ODI tri‑series in Pakistan, also featuring Sri Lanka, which kicks off on 20 October. A notable inclusion in the provisional squad is Glamorgan leg‑spinner Mason Crane, who has been called up to replace the dropped Rehan Ahmed. Crane’s last appearance for England came during the 2017‑18 Ashes, when he bowled a grueling 48‑over spell in Sydney that yielded figures of 1‑193. Despite that harsh introduction to Test cricket, Crane has flourished in the domestic game over the past two seasons.
In the 2025‑26 County Championship he featured in all 14 matches for Hampshire, claiming 34 wickets and scoring two centuries, while also taking 15 wickets in the Vitality Blast T20 competition. Former England captain Michael Atherton discussed Crane’s recall on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, describing it as "a great story". He noted that, although Crane’s debut numbers were intimidating, the young bowler displayed considerable character and did not bowl as poorly as the raw figures suggested. Atherton highlighted Crane’s growth: "He is now 29, has been around the block, and is playing regularly for his county, which has helped him develop both his bowling and his batting." Atherton also weighed in on the decision to drop Ahmed, arguing that the leg‑spinner is primarily a batsman who bowls occasionally, whereas Crane is a genuine leg‑spin specialist.
"There is time for Ahmed to work his way back into the side, but England need to define his role clearly," he said. "For the winter, especially with a Test series in Bangladesh scheduled for February, Crane could be a more valuable asset." The move to give England a proper warm‑up against a strong Western Australian side is seen as a corrective step after the Ashes debacle. Playing against local opposition will allow the team to acclimatise to the pace, bounce and conditions that have historically proved challenging for touring sides in Perth. It also offers a chance for fringe players like Crane and Bethell to stake a claim for regular inclusion.
In addition to the on‑field preparations, the tour will test England’s adaptability across formats and venues. The ODI series will be played on three different grounds, each with its own pitch characteristics, while the T20 leg will involve travel across five cities, demanding quick adjustments to differing climates and stadium atmospheres. Overall, the upcoming warm‑up match at the WACA, combined with a packed schedule of limited‑overs fixtures, should give England a far more realistic rehearsal than the solitary intra‑squad game they relied on before the Ashes.
Fans and pundits alike will be watching closely to see whether the lessons learned from last winter’s failures translate into stronger performances on Australian soil this November.