England to play three tour games ahead of first Ashes Test

England are scheduled to play three tour games before they begin their Ashes campaign against Australia down under. Perth, Adelaide and Townsville have been selected as the three venues for the tour games, Cricket Australia said on Thursday.

The English team, led by Joe Root, will play the three warm-up games before the first Ashes Test slated to begin on November 23 in Brisbane. The first tour game will be a two-day game against Western Australian XI at the WACA in Perth, which will be held on November 4 and 5.

England will then move to Adelaide to clash against a Cricket Australia XI for a 4-day game, which will be played under lights. The game scheduled for November 8, 9, 10 and 11 will use the pink ball as a trial run for the English players. Adelaide is all set to host the first ever day-night Test in an Ashes series from December 2.

England to play a two-day game between 2nd and 3rd Tests

England will then travel to Townsville for a third and final tour game against a Cricket Australia XI from November 15-18. Meanwhile, England will also play a two-day game against a Cricket Australia XI between the second and third Tests. The game will be played in Perth on December 9 and 10 ahead of the third Test in the same city which is scheduled to begin on December 14.

“Those fans here to support England can get along to these matches and in particular we’re pleased to be able to bring a four-day match up to Townsville. These tour matches also importantly provide our emerging players the ability to experience top level international competition,” CA team performance manager Pat Howard said.

However, despite preparations for a historic Ashes series, Cricket Australia is currently going through some troubled times following complaints by the Australian cricketers. The board and the Australian Cricketers’ Association are yet to resolve a bitter pay dispute that looks to cloud the upcoming Ashes series. Vice-captain David Warner has warned of a strike during the showpiece series. On the other hand, head coach Darren Lehmann has brushed aside possibilities of any such disruptions.

Australia are currently in England for the ICC Champions Trophy which begins on June 1.