Dismal England look to have confused having a plan with being prepared | Andy Bull

This team’s Ashes buildup began two years ago but in Brisbane they fell to factors that a well run side would have coped with

Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face. England started work on theirs two years ago. “Job No 1 is to help Joe to keep moving forward so that in two years’ time we can go to Australia and make a real impact,” said Chris Silverwood in his first press conference after he took over as England’s head coach.

Usually it’s the players and coaches who say the press talk about the Ashes to the exclusion of everything else. This year it’s been the other way around: Silverwood has come back to his plans for this winter again, and again and again.