English cricketing great Stuart Broad has backed England's decision to have a short preparation period ahead of the upcoming Ashes series.
England will have only one three-day warm-up game before a five-test Ashes series, against England Lions, which is a development/reserve side in Perth, starting on November 13.
Broad said he trusted managing director Rob Key and head coach Brendon McCullum to make the right decision ahead of a long Ashes series and after six limited-overs matches in New Zealand.
“I trust Rob Key and Brendon McCullum. England have started series incredibly well in recent times," Broad told SEN's Gerard Whateley.
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“They have won the first Test with good consistency lately and with little preparation.
“Times have changed. I understand ex-players saying it’s not enough preparation, but the time frame of fitting things in is difficult. England just had an ODI series in NZ."
Broad made the point that Australian players wouldn't want to play against England when they are trying to win a spot in the Aussie test side.
“If they came to Aus and wanted a competitive match here, there’s Sheffield Shield this week, so you’re not dragging players out of that to play England when they’re playing for their spot in the XI," he said.
“The time frame of being able to get quality hard cricket in Australia is difficult, so England have taken it into their own hands and flown Lions players out to play against them.
“Those young players are giving it everything to impress. England can control this, too.
“If you play a state game, Archer could bowl all day; in this case, they can control what their players are doing.”
The Ashes series starts on November 21 at Optus Stadium in Perth with the first ball to be bowled at 1:20pm (AEDT).