Alec Stewart Defends England’s Ashes Strategy as Debate Intensifies Over Canberra Absence

Former England captain Alec Stewart has strongly backed the national team’s decision to maintain their original Ashes preparations, despite fierce criticism following the dramatic two-day defeat to Australia in Perth. England opted not to send any of the players who featured in the opening Test to join the England Lions in Canberra for a pink-ball match against a Prime Minister’s XI—an omission that reignited scrutiny of the team’s handling of day-night conditions.

The fixture in Canberra mirrors the conditions of next week’s second Test at the Gabba, where a pink Kookaburra ball and floodlights await. Yet only Jacob Bethell, Josh Tongue and Matthew Potts—men who did not feature in Perth—were added to the Lions squad. The decision sparked a public outcry, with Michael Vaughan branding it “nonsense” and BBC commentator Jonathan Agnew calling it “a bizarre situation.”

Stewart, however, insisted England must not be swayed by outside voices.

“When you’re in the inner sanctum, you stick to your guns,” he told BBC Sport. “You make decisions based on what’s right for the squad—not on what people outside believe.”

The loss in Perth was England’s first two-day Ashes defeat since 1921, creating an unusually long 11-day gap before the second Test. Many argued that this made the Canberra match the perfect opportunity for additional pink-ball exposure. Stewart disagrees.

“If they had won in two days, nobody would be telling them to fly to Canberra,” he said. “You don’t tear up your preparation plan simply because of one bad result.”

England’s coaching group, led by Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes, believe controlled sessions at the Gabba offer more value than a match that might provide limited batting time—especially on a slower, cooler Canberra surface that differs sharply from Brisbane’s trademark bounce and humidity.

Some players used the unexpected downtime to play golf, while others visited a local aquarium, a reminder that mental reset and team chemistry are also part of modern preparation. Stewart, who experienced the reactionary culture of the 1990s—including the infamous “naughty boy nets”—warned against reverting to outdated methods.

“Punishment training doesn’t build confidence,” he said. “Strong teams rely on clarity, not panic.”

England face a daunting challenge. They have not won a Test in Brisbane since 1986 and have only two victories from seven pink-ball Tests. Australia, on the other hand, boast 13 wins from 14 day-night fixtures, spearheaded by Mitchell Starc, who took 10 wickets in Perth and remains the most prolific pink-ball bowler in the world.

Still, Stewart urges calm and conviction.

“This is when you find out what people are made of,” he added. “McCullum and Stokes are excellent leaders—let them execute their plan.”

England are winless in their last 16 Tests in Australia, a run stretching back to the 2010–11 Ashes triumph. McCullum previously said this series could “define” his team. Stewart believes the judgment should be based on process, not panic.

“As long as they commit to the right preparation, they can hold their heads high—whatever the outcome,” he said.

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