Test Match Special The Ashes: England right to stick to Plan A with batters' prep, says Alec Stewart
Nov 27, 2025
Alec Stewart, former England captain and Surrey wicketkeeper-batter, advocates for England's decision to stick to their Plan A without adding a warm-up match. He emphasizes the importance of not panicking and trusting the team's preparation. Meanwhile, Steven Finn, a former fast bowler, vividly recounts his memories of playing at the Gabba, describing its intense atmosphere and how the conditions impact gameplay. The duo delves into the challenges of batting under lights and the strategic decisions behind England's training methods ahead of the Ashes.
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Unusually Long Training Block
- England extended their training block to five days before the Gabba Test, an unusually long preparation under Stokes and McCullum.
- That extra focused training can substitute for match practice in different conditions like Canberra.
Stick To The Inside Plan
- Do block out outside noise and trust the leadership's planned preparation after a heavy defeat.
- Let Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum judge what training the squad needs rather than reacting to media pressure.
’Naughty Boy’ Nets Memory
- Alec Stewart recalled the old 'naughty boy nets' culture and how players hated being told to go straight back to practice after a loss.
- He used his own Ashes experience to argue against knee-jerk reactions to defeat.