With the Ashes just under a week away, England's bowlers have had a disappointing day of match preparation yesterday.
In a tour game between England and England Lions (who will play Australia A while down under), all four of England's top bowlers failed to take a wicket.
With no option but to play against their 'B' team, England's quartet of Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Ollie Robinson and Jack Leach would have been confident. The match loomed as an ideal way to both dust off the cobwebs and find some form following dismal weather which washed out their first tour game and limited this match to a single day.
However, with all four unable to take a scalp, despite bowling at least eight overs each, questions may start being asked.
This is nothing new. Anderson and Broad are 39 and 35 respectively, meaning that they will need to be carefully managed during the tour. Both have at times struggled in Australia.
With the conditions being much less swing-friendly than in the United Kingdom, both bowlers would have been hoping for a confidence boost. Likewise, Robinson and Leach, who both have little to no experience of playing an Ashes series in Australia.
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As England's batting lineup is seen as their chief cause for concern, their key bowlers may be more crucial than ever.
Particularly Broad, who has terrorised David Warner in previous Ashes series. However, that was largely back at home. On Australian soil, Warner is a different beast and Broad will need to be at the top of his game.
While he didn't take any wickets, he did bowl quite well. Finishing with 11 overs for just 15 runs going at 1.36 runs per over. Yet the lack of a wicket will be a cause for concern.
Similarly, Anderson was solid, bowling eight overs for just 23 runs at an economy of 2.87. However, as England's all-time leading wicket-taker, there will be disappointment at the lack of scalps.
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Perhaps the most underwhelming of all was Leach. As England's latest cult hero, the spinner bowled 18 overs, leaking 68 runs. As the spinner, England will want him to tie down an end and build pressure.
However, going for 3.83 runs an over to your country's 'B' team is not ideal for form or confidence. Australia's batsmen may look to target Leach as a source of easy runs.
In more positive news for England, star all-rounder Ben Stokes took two wickets. After returning from a leave of absence to look after his mental health, Stokes looks primed for a big series.
With just a few days to go now, cricket fans are eagerly awaiting for hostilities to resume in world cricket's greatest rivalry. The first Test starts on Wednesday the 8th of December in Brisbane.
