England point to ‘volume of cricket’ as justification for solitary Ashes warm-up fixture

The track at the Optus Stadium has followed the formidable reputation of the WACA Ground, which it has effectively superseded since it opened in 2018 and was renowned as the fastest and bounciest pitch in the world.

“We’ve had facilities here (at Lilac Hill) with the nets and then out in the middle, and then we’ve got the preparation game here,” said Trescothick. “My day playing at the WACA was unique and very different, but you prepare yourself for those changes in facilities and pitches as you go along. We’ll have three days of prep at Optus just to get used to the pitches and we’ll go from there.

“The team has stuck together for a long period of time. It’s been very consistent and we’re in a position where we’ve been playing good cricket in our Test stuff. It’s been pretty consistent for a number of years, so we’re pretty confident in our own team and what we have to throw at Australia.”

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The warm-up match should give England’s players a chance to find their rhythm ahead of the first Test, and fast bowler Mark Wood could feature for the first time since February following knee surgery. But Trescothick admitted the fixture is unlikely to sway selection too drastically for the start of the Ashes.

“I guess everybody’s got an opportunity to stake their claim, but we’ve not really chopped and changed a great deal, so (the team) is definitely not going to change dramatically now before the start of the Ashes series, just because somebody puts their hand up and takes five wickets or gets 150,” he added.

“The team’s been what it has been for a period of time for a reason, so that when you come to a big series, you’re more settled and confident going into it.”