Despite being dusted within two days in Perth, England has chosen not to send any its Test squad to Canberra for the upcoming two-day pink ball tour match against the Australian Prime Minister’s XI.
Instead, heading into the crucial pink ball Test at the Gabba, England will opt for what has been described as a week of ‘connectivity and camaraderie’—believed to be code for an in-house marathon of golf and beaches.
The decision has been widely derided by the rival English ‘has beens’ touring squad, currently in Australia to cover the Ashes series in between boozing with their old playing and media mates.
Shockingly, some of former England players have even had the temerity to suggest more time in the middle, under lights, using the identical pink Kookaburra that will be used in the now-pivotal Second Test may actually be a good idea.
MORE: Another candidate enters race for Khawaja’s Second Test spot
“It is a bizarre situation,” offered Jonathan Agnew, the highly respected BBC chief cricket commentator and himself a former England fast bowler.
“There is a huge question about whether England would be better prepared playing a game under lights than spending time in the nets in Brisbane.”
Indeed Jonathan, you might be on to something.
Meanwhile England coach Brendan McCullum had a simple message for bewildered England fans—‘keep the faith’.
Perhaps the England players can ask Usman Khawaja for golf course recommendations.
Call me a genius but I think I’ve found the perfect compromise https://t.co/edvIWiEDj4 pic.twitter.com/VBdd7m770n
— Isabelle Westbury (@izzywestbury) November 24, 2025