SOME of England's best cricketers will warm up for the much-anticipated Ashes series with a tour match in the Redlands next week.
Star players Joe Root and Ben Stokes could feature in the game starting on November 23 at Wellington Point, having arrived in Brisbane earlier this month.
The three-day tour match, to be played at Redlands Tigers Cricket Club, comes just weeks out from the first Ashes Test between Australia and England at the Gabba in Brisbane.
Redlands product Marnus Labuschagne is likely to line-up for Australia, having held down the number three position after fine returns during the last two seasons.
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He scored 353 runs at an average of 50 during his debut Ashes series in 2019, ranking second on the Australian run-scorers list for the tour.
It has been a remarkable rise from the South African-born batsman, who came into the series as a concussion substitute for Steve Smith during the second test.
Peter Burge Oval will host the Ashes tour match, which will be played between England and second XI team the England Lions.
The two sides will meet again the following week at Northern Suburbs District Cricket Club in Brisbane, with the match starting on Tuesday, November 30 at Ian Healy Oval.
Spectators are expected to be allowed into venues but it is likely there will be some COVID restrictions.
England stars like captain Joe Root, all-rounder Ben Stokes and spinner Jack Leach have been training at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast ahead of the tour games.
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