Haseeb Hameed could be key if England are to cope with lack of Ashes preparation | Mark Ramprakash

In the first of a series of columns, the former England player and batting coach identifies the men who could make a difference

When I was on the Ashes tour in 1998-99 we had three four-day games against state opposition before the Test series started, tough games against sides packed with big-name players where you had to be absolutely at your best. When I went back to Australia as batting coach four years ago there were three four-day games but against weaker opposition and on pitches that tended to be slow.

This time England’s players have had two full days’ play, against their own second-string side, and it is not the best preparation for what they are about to walk into. A noisy crowd at the Gabba, Pat Cummins bowling a bit of nose and toes, a few words flying around – it is the ultimate test and, while it is not easy to recreate that sort of pressure, it doesn’t hurt to try.