England coach Brendon McCullum has opened up on Australia’s “intense” scrutiny that has followed them across Australia in recent weeks.

24 hours after one of the Poms’ security guards clashed with a Channel Seven cameraman at Brisbane airport, the former New Zealand superstar praised his players for how they’ve dealt with media on foreign soil.

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“I didn’t see it (the cameraman clash), but obviously it wasn’t ideal,” McCullum told reporters in Adelaide on Sunday afternoon.

“Hopefully it’s been dealt with, and everyone’s able to move on. We know that coming to Australia, there’s a lot of eyeballs and a lot of intense scrutiny on everything you do, and I feel like we’ve managed ourselves pretty well throughout this tour.”

Quizzed on his side’s trip up north in Queensland, McCullum added: “Noosa was excellent for us; it was planned a year ago and it was quite an important period where we could … recalibrate a little bit.”

Criticism of England’s preparation for the third Test came thick and fast after their decision not to have Test players participate in a pink-ball match ahead of the second Test in Brisbane, despite the opening match in Perth finishing three days ahead of schedule.

McCullum has also been in the limelight of late, after comments post-game in Brisbane that his side had “over-prepared” for their clash under lights.

“What I meant by us being over-prepared, is we had five intense training sessions, where in my opinion, we left ourselves a fraction short in terms of our energy and ability to play what was in front of us,” he said.

“On that wicket, it required quite a different game to what you train in the nets. You have to think on your feet, you have to be able to manoeuvre your game.

“If you over-prepare or over-train based on how many balls you hit on a true surface, it can leave you a little over-prepared in that moment.”

ENGLAND’S BIZARRE AUS A SNUBBING REVEALED

England declined the chance to play Australia A, possibly at the MCG, before the first Ashes Test in Perth it has been revealed.

More than a year ago Cricket Australia offered the tourists a pre-series warm up game against Australia A, but England declined in favour of the travelling directly to Perth after a white ball tour of New Zealand, according to the Sydney Morning Herald’s Daniel Brettig.

They instead played a much-ridiculed three-day practice game against the England Lions at Lilac Hill.

Not playing official warm-up matches has been a trademark of the Bazball era but it has bene widely criticised this time around as they have struggled to adapt to Australian conditions during their losses in Perth and Brisbane.

Reports out of the UK during the week suggested England tried prepare better, requesting a training block at the WACA Ground in November but were denied due to a Sheffield Shield match between Western Australia and Queensland being scheduled at that time.

Last summer, India were able to transform the WACA into their training base for the first Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy, using the nets as well as completing centre wicket practice.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA – NOVEMBER 20: England captain Ben Stokes speaks with coach Brendon McCullum during an England nets session at Perth Stadium on November 20, 2025 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

Before the Test tour officially began, India A with several Test players taking part faced Australia A in four-day matches in Mackay and at the MCG.

England could have had the same opportunity, while the Prime Minister’s XI match in Canberra could have been a three- or four-day contest had the tourists wanted greater pink ball preparation.

They instead opted to send the Lions and stick to the Gabba nets to get ready for the day/night Test.

“This Test match, I actually felt like we over-prepared,” McCullum said following his side’s loss in Brisbane. “When you’re in the heat of the battle, as we all know, sometimes the most important thing is to feel a little bit fresh.

“I’m a horse-racing man, and you wouldn’t just keep doing the same thing with your horse, you’d send it around in figure-eights or over the little jumps, just to try and switch it on a bit. We’ll look at some alternative methods over the next few days.”

England security clashes with cameraman | 00:31

‘I’M VERY HAPPY’: GREEN’S BOWLING ADMISSION

One month ago heading into the first Ashes Test in Perth, all eyes were on Cameron Green and the management of his bowling loads after returning from a stress fracture of his lumbar spine last October.

Two matches into the series, and the 26-year-old Western Australian has only had to bowl 16 overs, mostly helped by the first Test finishing inside two days at Optus Stadium.

It’s eased the all-rounder back into his bowling duties more generously than he anticipated, he told Adelaide media on Sunday morning.

“I’m very happy bowling the overs I have been bowling. We’ve got quality guys in front of me, so very happy for them to take the load,” Green said.

“Five-Test series are really long, so any overs you can bank up your sleeve in the early games will be beneficial later. I’ll be required later in the series when everyone else is a bit tired.”

Eight overs is the most Green has had to bowl in an innings so far this series, during England’s first innings at the Gabba.

Australia’s Cameron Green bowls on day one of the second Ashes cricket Test match between Australia and England at The Gabba in Brisbane on December 4, 2025. (Photo by Patrick HAMILTON / AFP) / — IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE –Source: AFP

‘DOESN’T REALLY FAZE ME’: KHAWAJA DISMISSES DOUBTERS

Usman Khawaja has declared himself fit to play in Adelaide, if the Australian selectors want to recall the 39-year-old batter.

The left-hander was ruled out of the second Test at the Gabba with the back issues that plagued him in the series opener in Perth, but insists he is now back to full fitness.

Slotting in at the top of the order is not so straightforward, however, with Travis Head’s move to the top being a fruitful one and newcomer Jake Weatherald impressing with 72 in the first innings in Brisbane.

Regardless, the veteran has received the backing of former opening partner David Warner, who called for Khawaja to be reinstated at the top and Head to return to No.5.

The selectors are yet give Khawaja an indication of whether or not he will return, however.

“I’m 100 (per cent),” Khawaja told reporters in Adelaide on Saturday.

“I’m feeling 100 (per cent) … I’ve done everything. That’s why I was training all last week. It wasn’t for anything else. I was just doing rehab, which sucks, because when you get injured, you have to do more right.”

He added: “Yeah, obviously, I hope to play. I don’t really know. I haven’t really had a chat too much with the selectors. Obviously it’s not my decision. The older I’ve got, the more comfortable I’ve got with things that I can control and things that I haven’t. And I feel really good in terms of, I’m ready to go. The rest of it is not in my control.”

Head: Does Khawaja deserve to open? | 04:51

The other potential path back to the XI is via the middle order.

Khawaja has batted in every position in the top six throughout his 85 Test career.

He scored twins tons at the SCG at No.5 upon being recalled to the side in the last Ashes series in Australia, and believes he could easily take Josh Inglis’ spot and allow Head to stay at the top.

It was an option Australian coach Andrew McDonald floated in a recent interview, and Khawaja would welcome the move.

“No issues. I’ve always done really well batting at four or five,” Khawaja said.

“It was always the case normally, people that open aren’t as attuned to No. 5 as opening because they’re not as good at playing spin. But I’ve proven I’m one of the best players of spin in Australia.

“My subcontinent record is one of the best ever for Australia. So that’s never been the issue. I can bat anywhere.”

Warner backs Khawaja for opening return | 02:25

The possibility of Khawaja returning to the side has fuelled much debate around the country.

While Inglis batted at No.7, below wicketkeeper Alex Carey and only made 23 at the Gabba, Australia’s white ball gloveman was instrumental in the field with a superb direct hit run out of England captain Ben Stokes in the first innings.

It was a piece of fielding Khawaja would surely admit he could not replicate, and Head’s jump to opening has been a very popular move given his unforgettable fourth innings hundred in Perth.

There are also the detractors who have ruled Khawaja out because of his age, but the 39-year-old says it does not bother him because he still has the backing of those directly involved with the team.

“It doesn’t really faze me. As much as people sometimes want to have a crack at me, I love playing for Australia,” Khawaja said.

“I’m still very committed. Every game I take the same way as I took 10 years ago. I train hard. I do everything right. For me, it’s irrelevant. For me, it’s more about just being a professional. People can have opinions, that’s absolutely no worries to me. But, I mean, I can’t really sit down and worry about what other people think, especially outside of the squad.

“I could’ve retired two years ago, I could’ve retired at any time. But [I’m] still valued by the team, still asked to be here to play, so I’m here.”

Head looking to ton up on home ground | 04:37

Earlier in the series, Khawaja was involved in controversy surrounding his choice to play golf several times in the days leading up to the first Test as well as his comments about the Perth pitch.

When he was impacted by back spasms and could not open the batting on day one, Khawaja’s round of golf the day prior seemingly became a national bugbear.

While he later caused a stir by calling the Perth Stadium pitch a “piece of s***” despite it getting a top rating from the ICC.

Khawaja addressed both issues publicly for the first time on Saturday.

“I gotta be honest, like the golf one, not really important to me what other people say. I’ve always been a professional,” he said.

“The wicket one was not really a big issue for me. I talked to (CA chief) Todd (Greenberg) about it like adults, and it was all sorted. I think it was more an issue for the media and everyone else, if I’m truly honest, but it’s all resolved, no issues.”

McSweeney’s double ton & Konstas is back | 16:45

‘LOOKING A BELTER’: ADELAIDE PITCH UPDATE

As the third Test draws nearer, the obligatory photos of the Adelaide Oval pitch has been popping up on Twitter.

With the Test not starting until Wednesday there is a healthy covering of grass visible and the ground staff will no doubt be pumping plenty of water into the surface given the hot weather forecasted.

The Bureau of Meteorology expects temperatures to reach 35 degrees on day one, and then a scorching 38 degrees on day two before the mercury lowers slightly into the early 30s as the Test match goes on.

The Adelaide Oval pitch has typically had more grass on it in recent years as it has hosted a day/night Test and curators are often eager to keep the pink ball in tact, but Adelaide’s few day Tests in recent times have not necessarily been run fests.

Adelaide has long been regarded as boasting the best batting surface in the country, but in the most recent day Test against the West Indies in January 2024, Australia won by ten wickets before lunch on day three.

The West Indies were knocked over for 188 before a Travis Head hundred lifted Australia to 283. The tourists were then dismissed for 120 and Australian openers Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja reached the target of 26.

The previous day Test was against India in 2018, which the visitors won by 31 runs with the highest total for the game coming in India’s second innings when they accumulated 307.

In the four day Tests prior that one, however, Australia piled on a first innings total of more than 500 each time.