There are concerns the Australian Test cricket team will enter the Ashes series underprepared.

Former Test captain Mark Taylor told Bill Woods due to lockdowns, our cricketers are missing up to six Shield matches.

Furthermore, when the T20 World Cup players return from the UAE, if Australia makes the finals they’ll have only days to prepare for the Ashes by the time they finish quarantine.

“This should’ve been the ideal lead-up for Australia for an Ashes series … but that’s all gone out the window.

“Smith, Warner, Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood … are not going to get a lot of long-form cricket before that first Ashes Test match.

“That might be a slight advantage there for England.”

Press PLAY below to hear Mark’s analysis in full