After Perth setback, England must play pink-ball warm-up or risk looking amateurish: Vaughan

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has sharply criticised England’s Ashes preparation, urging Ben Stokes’ side to arrange a pink-ball warm-up ahead of the day-night Test in Brisbane.

The call comes after England’s bruising two-day defeat to Australia in Perth that put the hosts 1-0 up in the five-match series. England’s collapse from a position of strength to 164 all out on day two handed Australia an eight-wicket win, highlighted by Travis Head’s rapid century. With Australia boasting a dominant pink-ball record — 13 wins from 14 day-night Tests, including three straight victories over England — concerns over England’s readiness have intensified.

Despite that looming challenge, England’s only match before the second Test is a Prime Minister’s XI fixture on November 29, one that the Test squad will not even play. Instead, the England Lions will represent the touring party, leaving the main squad without any pink-ball exposure.

Speaking to Test Match Special, Vaughan called the decision “amateurish”. He argued that even a short, dedicated stint under lights would be valuable. “What harm is it playing two days of cricket with the pink ball under lights?” he said, adding that match time remains irreplaceable preparation.

Vaughan urged England to take matters into their own hands: “You’ve got a pink-ball two-day game — go and grab it, play it, and give yourself the best chance.”

The fallout from Perth has prompted soul-searching. Ben Stokes admitted the team was stunned by the speed of the collapse, while former captain Nasser Hussain warned that bouncing back in Australia would be a significant challenge. “It’s a mountain to climb,” Hussain said, but insisted England retain the character to respond under Stokes and Brendon McCullum.

Michael Vaughan has blasted England’s Ashes preparation, saying Ben Stokes’ side would be “amateurish” if they enter the Brisbane day-night Test without a pink-ball warm-up following their two-day humiliation in Perth.

Australia marched to an eight-wicket win after England crumbled to 164 in their second innings, with Travis Head’s pulsating hundred exposing frailties on the eve of a pink-ball Test — a format in which Australia are near-unbeatable. They’ve won 13 of 14 day-night matches and all three against England.

Yet England’s only fixture before Brisbane is a Prime Minister’s XI clash that won’t involve the Test players. The Lions will feature instead, meaning Stokes’ squad will reach Brisbane with no competitive pink-ball practice.

“It’s amateurish if England don’t go out and practise between now and then,” Vaughan told Test Match Special. He questioned why England would choose to go in undercooked. “What harm is there in playing two days with the pink ball under lights? Playing cricket might just help you get a little bit better.”

Vaughan urged the team to seize control of their preparation: “You’ve got a pink-ball two-day game. Go take it.”

Inside the camp, the defeat has shaken confidence. Stokes admitted the collapse left players stunned. Nasser Hussain warned England face a “mountain to climb” but backed their ability to fight back, noting their recovery from 2-0 down in the last Ashes series at home.

In the wake of England’s rapid defeat in Perth, Michael Vaughan has questioned not just the team’s performance but their entire approach to the Ashes. With Australia 1-0 up and the second Test — a day-night encounter — looming in Brisbane, Vaughan believes England are risking further damage by refusing to arrange a pink-ball warm-up match.

England’s collapse from dominance to defeat on day two in Perth exposed issues of temperament as much as technique. Travis Head’s explosive hundred tilted the match decisively, but England’s inability to stabilise their innings has raised deeper concerns about readiness and resilience.

The lack of pink-ball preparation is only sharpening those concerns. Australia’s extraordinary record under lights — 13 wins from 14 Tests — reflects both familiarity and tactical clarity. England, meanwhile, will not play a single ball of pink-ball cricket before Brisbane, as the Prime Minister’s XI match will feature the Lions rather than the Test squad.

For Vaughan, this is indefensible. “It’s amateurish if England don’t go out and practise,” he said on Test Match Special, arguing that only live match conditions can offer the insight needed for such specialised contests. His proposed solution is practical: find a two-day window, play under lights, and give the team a fighting chance.

The defeat has triggered introspection. Ben Stokes admitted the speed of the collapse rattled the dressing room, while Nasser Hussain warned that an Australian Ashes tour magnifies flaws and punishes hesitation. Yet he also stressed that this England side has recovered from adversity before.