Sir Ian Botham Slams ‘Nonsense’ Ashes Decision That Cost England the Series

Sir Ian Botham has bemoaned a major issue that he believes has cost England the Ashes series.

England posted 211-3 at stumps on the first day of the fifth Test.

The tourists won the fourth Test in Melbourne and even though they secured their first win down under since 2011, it was ultimately in vain as Ben Stokes' side failed to regain the Ashes.

Australia raced into a three-nil lead in just 11 days of cricket, including their two-day win in Perth.

The hosts took the opening Test match after blowing England away in an eight-wicket victory.

England prepared themselves for the first Test by having a warm-up match at Lilac Hill, where conditions were slow and low - a far cry from the pace and bounce of the pitch at Perth's Optus Stadium.

England played at Lilac Hill ahead of the first Test match of the Ashes series. Image: Getty

Botham has slammed England's preparations for the Ashes, highlighting the 'complete nonsense' that was the warm-up game at Lilac Hill.

"I would say that (preparation) was a massive part of the equation, yes," the former Ashes hero told Triple M Cricket.

"Perth, for instance, the ball always appears quicker there because of the air and there’s the brightness of the sun, and there’s so many things you have to take it into account.

"Playing around (at Lilac Hill) and just knocking the ball about, that was just a nonsense. Complete nonsense."

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Botham added: "They should have played at least three warm-up games. They try and tell us 'oh, we’ve got too much cricket', you haven’t got too much cricket at all, and that’s been proven by the bowlers.

"The bowlers aren’t match fit."

Sir Ian Botham has described England's Ashes warm-up game at Lilac Hill as 'complete nonsense'. Image: Getty

England's now-infamous game at Lilac Hill was an intra-squad match against the Lions team.

But Botham said the warm-up games should have come against West Australia-based squads, who would have had a feel for the conditions.

"First and foremost, they shouldn’t have even had to think (about a game on the WACA), it should have been done 12 months ago," he explained.

"12 months ago, we’ll play against, whether it’s Western Australia or their second team, whatever Australian side you can put out.

"Without doubt, you would’ve got competition because all those younger players in the second team want to prove how good they are.

"It’s a situation that could have been avoided."