Ashes 2025-26: Michael Vaughan says it would be ‘amateur’ if England don’t play pink-ball warm-up

England’s preparation ahead of the Perth Test was called into question, given that it included only one warm-up match against the Lions.

Previous rounds have included several warm-ups against Australian state sides, but England prefer to keep their preparations in-house these days. They had won the first game in their previous three rounds with a similar schedule.

However, the two-day Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra will give the players a chance to play competitive cricket under the lights with the pink ball.

History suggests that there are some important differences between how the pink and red balls work, but hitters sometimes have trouble seeing the pink version clearly under the lights.

Australia won 13 of their 14 day-night Tests, including the three Tests against England.

“Whether they like it or not, all these conversations will come back to England,” Vaughan said.

“It’s amateurish if England don’t go out and train between now and then.

“What’s the harm in playing two days of cricket with the pink ball under the lights?

“Can’t I be so old school to suggest that by playing cricket they might improve a little?

“My approach would be you have a two-day pink ball game, go grab it, go grab it, play those two days and give yourself the best chance.”