England will play only one practice match against the England Lions at Lilac Hill in Perth as part of its preparations for the first Ashes Test in late November.
Cricket Australia announced that the fixture would be part of a three-match England Lions tour, which will run parallel with the Ashes in Australia.
England will play a three-day red-ball game at Lilac Hill, the home of Midland Guildford Cricket Club in Perth’s eastern suburbs, from November 13-15 ahead of the first Ashes Test starting at Perth’s Optus Stadium on November 21.
Lilac Hill had been a popular tour stop for all international teams in the 1990s. While most international teams now skip tour matches against local sides, England are choosing a light schedule, much like how India prepared for their Australia tour last year with only one behind-closed doors game.
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Teams would play practice matches at Perth’s WACA ground, but that venue is already booked for a sheffield Shield match between Western Australia and Queensland from November 11-14. So, England and the Lions will use Lilac Hill, an open public ground instead.
The WACA will still be used by both squads for training sessions and net practice in the days before the first test.
England’s fringe players won’t miss out. The England Lions will play three warm up games in Australia, two of which coincide with Ashes Test, which would give squad members vital time in competitive match situations.
The England Lions – Australia A clash aligns with the second Ashes Test at The Gabba. England’s unselected squad members could feature, maintaining form and readiness as the series progresses.
The reciprocal A series against the England Lions is important for Australian cricket giving our players the chance to perform against high calibre opposition,” CA head of cricket operations and scheduling Peter Roach said.
“We’re confident this series will complement what should be a fiercely contested Ashes series and have strong benefits for both countries.
“It is a big year of Australia A cricket opportunities with the recently completed series against Sri Lanka A and tour of India in September before the Lions series.”
It will be the second Lions tour to Australia this year after they played three red-ball matches against CA Xl and Australia A in January and February in Brisbane and Sydney.
