The fast bowler was playing for the first time in a 'competitive' match since February after undergoing knee surgery

England have potentially dropped a hint to their plans for the first Ashes Test by leaving spinner Shoaib Bashir out of the XI for their only warm-up match. The tourists have named four frontline pace bowlers alongside all-rounder Ben Stokes in their attack for the three-day match against England Lions at Lilac Hill.

Spinner Shoaib Bashir was named in the English Lions team for the warm-up contest in Perth, while the England XI featured fast bowlers Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson. Fellow quick Brydon Carse is unwell and won’t feature in day one of the red-ball contest.

England have not even won a Test match in Australia since triumphing 3-1 there 14 years ago, so this is how the class of 2010-11 prevailed

Marcus Trescothick defended England’s limited Ashes prep, citing busy schedules. He said modern teams rely on nets and one practice game, with England set for three days’ training at Perth’s Optus Stadium.

Former England assistant coach Paul Farbrace says the team are "absolutely prepared" after comments about their limited preparation in Australia led captain Ben Stokes to describe some of his critics as "has-beens".

England’s Ashes preparations have come under fire with two of the country’s greatest cricketers turning on Ben Stokes’ men.

Former England captain Ian Botham has raised questions about the team's lean Ashes preparations and whether the players will be ready to take on an entire nation backing Australia's bid to retain the urn.

Cricket's stakeholders need to work together "better" to revive the sport in state schools and help address "digital addiction" in young people, says the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) president Ed Smith.

Fin Smith omitted entirely as injured Tommy Freeman and Ollie Chessum ruled out of All Blacks clash at Twickenham