Stokes Dismisses Ashes Preparation Concerns

England captain Ben Stokes dismissed concerns over his team's limited preparation for the Ashes series against Australia on Wednesday, insisting that the squad is ready for the five-Test showdown beginning November 21 in Perth. The series, one of cricket's most storied rivalries, pits England against a dominant Australia on home soil, where the visitors have not won since the 2010-11 tour.

England's full squad assembled in Perth only last weekend, with players arriving from various commitments, including a recent white-ball series in New Zealand. The team faces just one red-ball warmup: a three-day match against the England Lions, essentially a second-string side, starting Thursday at Lilac Hill in Perth. In contrast, most of Australia's Ashes players have been competing in domestic Sheffield Shield matches, gaining valuable first-class experience on local pitches.

The preparation approach has drawn sharp criticism from cricket legends on both sides. Former England players Ian Botham and Geoffrey Boycott labeled it inadequate, with Boycott calling it "madness" in a recent column, arguing that match practice would better equip the team against Australian conditions. Botham...