London: England are returning to an old-fashioned formula in their attempt to start this winter’s Ashes series strongly by breaking Australia’s invincible record at their fortress in Brisbane, where the home side have not lost a Test since 1988, winning 21 and drawing the other seven.

On the only two occasions England have won the Brisbane Test since the Second World War, 1978-9 and 1986-7, they have played a first class game in and against Queensland to acclimatise properly. On their last three tours of Australia, however, England have not played a game in Queensland before the first Test at the Gabba, losing heavily in 2006-7 and 2013-14 before going on to lose the series 5-0.

In 2010-11, England again fell far behind on first innings in Brisbane before forcing a draw and going on to win the series 3-1 — but though they did not play a game in Queensland beforehand, their bowlers were diverted from Tasmania, where England were playing Australia A, and sent ahead to have five extra days of acclimatisation to Brisbane’s time-difference and subtropical heat.

So this winter a four-day game in Townsville, Queensland, has been scheduled for England’s warming up. If that is the good news, the more doubtful part is that it is due to be against a Cricket Australia President’s XI — not a full-strength Queensland state side.

As England discovered on their last disastrous tour of Australia, the home side’s strategy is to ensure that the visitors do not face any serious fast bowling in their practice games. Last time they were ill-prepared for the whirlwind that hit them in the form of Mitchell Johnson and Ryan Harris.

By assembling a CA President’s XI to play England, Australia’s selectors can make sure the tourists face nothing more than medium-pace and spinners. England’s tour will begin with a two-day game in Perth, at the old WACA ground, which is due to stage the third Test as its final fixture while a new ground is built across the Swan River.

Their second warm-up game will be a day-night game at the Adelaide Oval using a pink ball, against another CA President’s XI, as preparation for the day-night Test there, the second of the series, which will be the first ever Ashes day-nighter.

England will then head to Queensland to be fully prepared for the opening Test on November 23, instead of flying in three days beforehand and struggling to adjust. Cricket Australia is expected to announce England’s full itinerary in the next fortnight with the tourists due to depart around October 28.

— The Telegraph Group Limited, London 2017