England's Ashes Campaign Begins in Picturesque Perth
England's Test squad has finally assembled in Western Australia, with the last players arriving at Perth's international airport on Sunday evening. The entire 16-strong team is now present, though their preparations at the scenic Lilac Hill park in Guildford have begun quietly.
Sleepy Start to Ashes Campaign
The first full training session on Monday saw just five England players take to the field at Lilac Hill, heavily outnumbered by coaching staff and support personnel. Jofra Archer, who was among the earliest arrivals in Perth, bowled off his full run-up for the first time at the ground. Meanwhile, Joe Root and wicketkeeper Jamie Smith engaged in extended net sessions, primarily facing spin bowling.
The setting couldn't be more different from the electric atmosphere expected during the Ashes series. Nestled beside the Swan River, the picturesque ground saw more wildlife activity than cricket enthusiasts, with cockatoos, galahs and various other native birds providing the main entertainment for the handful of locals who wandered past.
Local Reaction and Media Warfare
The sparse attendance included just a few curious onlookers, some of whom admitted to having little interest in cricket. One local cyclist, Jack Binn, confessed he "wouldn't have a clue who's in their team" and considered cricket "a boring sport", though he expressed support for England over what he called "stuck-up Aussie bastards".
Meanwhile, the local media has already begun its psychological warfare. The West Australian newspaper devoted its front page to questioning Joe Root's record in Australia, labelling the world's top-ranked Test batter as "average Joe" and highlighting his comparatively modest performances on Australian soil.
England's only warm-up match before the first Test will be against the Lions on Thursday at the same Lilac Hill ground. With the first Ashes Test scheduled for 21 November at Perth's Optus Stadium, the team has precisely 11 days to transform from their relaxed arrival state into battle-ready contenders for one of cricket's most prestigious trophies.
