England Cricketers Use Heat Simulation, Abuse Playback Ahead Australia Ashes

England's cricket team is intensifying its preparations for the Ashes series against Australia, set to begin in Perth on November 21, by adopting innovative training methods to simulate the extreme Australian summer heat that can reach 40 degrees Celsius. Training at the England and Wales Cricket Board’s National Performance Centre at Loughborough University includes the use of heaters and industrial fans inside tents to acclimatize players, particularly fast bowlers, to the hot conditions. Additionally, England's coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes have incorporated audio recordings of crowd sledging, notably the Australian 'champ' insult, to mentally prepare players for the hostile atmosphere and crowd provocations they expect to face during the series. Fast bowler Mark Wood highlighted the value of this approach, noting the stark contrast between the cold English weather and the intense heat simulated indoors, as well as the focus on building mental resilience alongside physical fitness. These unusual preparations demonstrate England's serious approach to the Ashes and readiness to contend with both the physical challenges and the psychological pressure of the historic rivalry. The team’s strategy mirrors tactics used by other sports teams to simulate hostile environments and enhance performance under pressure.