Australian Media Criticises England for Golf Outing Ahead of Ashes Opener

England’s cricket team has come under fierce criticism from the Australian media just days before the first Ashes Test, with a prominent Perth newspaper accusing Ben Stokes and his players of treating the tour like a holiday rather than a serious campaign. The West Australian devoted an entire page to photographs of several England cricketers—including captain Ben Stokes—playing golf at the luxurious Araluen Estate resort, running the headline “A Green Monster But Cocky Tourists Skip Practice To Play Golf Instead.” The pointed coverage highlighted that the visitors opted for a relaxed round of golf instead of additional net sessions in the lead-up to Friday’s series opener at the Perth Stadium.

The backlash centres on England’s limited on-field preparation Down Under. The tourists played only one intra-squad warm-up match against the England Lions, while almost every member of Australia’s squad gained valuable red-ball match practice in recent rounds of the Sheffield Shield. Legendary former England all-rounder Ian Botham joined the criticism, warning that the lack of exposure to Australian conditions—particularly the extra bounce on offer—could leave Stokes’ side undercooked and vulnerable in the opening exchanges of what is expected to be a fiercely contested series.

Australian outlets have seized on the golf outing as evidence of overconfidence, especially given that England has not won a Test on Australian soil since 2011 and has not regained the Ashes away from home in nearly 15 years. The photographs, taken before England’s three-day fixture against the Lions in Perth, show Stokes and teammates enjoying the sun-drenched course, an image that contrasts sharply with Australia’s more rigorous domestic schedule. Local commentators have labelled the approach “arrogant”, suggesting the tourists risk repeating the heavy defeats suffered on previous tours.

Also Read: “We’re Ready”: Ben Stokes Brushes Off Botham, Boycott’s Harsh Criticism

Despite the criticism, some former players remain optimistic about England’s chances. Ex-England spinner Monty Panesar predicted a series victory for the visitors—potentially 3-1 or 3-2—if they win the crucial first Test in Perth. He cited Australia’s injury concerns, including the absence of pace spearheads Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, and questioned the form of senior batsmen such as Usman Khawaja. Panesar even backed 22-year-old off-spinner Shoaib Bashir to outshine Nathan Lyon in a potential deciding Sydney Test. As the teams finalise preparations, the golf controversy has only heightened the traditional pre-Ashes tension, ensuring a charged atmosphere when the urn battle begins on Friday.

Also Read: India A Face Do-Or-Die Clash Against Oman: When and Where to Watch Rising Stars Asia Cup Match Live