Legendary English all-rounder Ian Botham has questioned England's Ashes warm-up schedule, calling it "borders on arrogance" while being worried that Ben Stokes' side may head into the demanding series quite underprepared. Speaking on a podcast with England rugby union great Sir Bill Beaumont, Botham said, "I'm worried. We're going to wander in and have a little game with the 'A' team. (It will be) 'Alright mate, how are you? Good on ya' and we're going to go and perform?" he said. "Not one (state match), which borders on arrogance. You've got to give yourself the chance. They are saying we play too much cricket. I don't think you play enough. The conditions are different when you play cricket in Australia: the sun, the heat, the bounce, the crowd, the Aussie players; you've got to get used to all that. You're not playing against the Australian cricket team, you're playing against Australia - 24.5 million people," added Botham. Considered a generational talent and one of the greatest cricketers to ever have played the sport, Botham was part of two victorious tours of Australia in 1978-79 and 1986-87. He starred for England in an era when teams enjoyed long build-ups against state sides and is concerned about what awaits Ben Stokes' squad Down Under. England are set to play a single three-day warm-up match against the travelling England Lions at Lilac Hill before taking on the mighty Aussies in the first Test at Perth's Optus Stadium on November 21. Botham also showed his concern about the condition of England's bowling attack, suggesting a cautious approach to workload management can be counterproductive. "Bowlers don't get fit in gyms, that's been proven," he said. "Look at the record with injuries - (Mark) Wood, (Jofra) Archer, Ben Stokes, Brydon Carse - they don't play enough. You get fit by playing. If it goes horribly wrong, Mark Wood breaks down in the first game, or Jofra Archer does, or Ben can't bowl, we are suddenly chasing the eight-ball before we've started. It's a worry."
