Harry Brook wants England to be world's fittest, strongest side
Brook said extra gym work, more running and better off-field preparation are part of a new training push before the 2027 ODI World Cup.
England captain Harry Brook wants his side to be the fittest and strongest in the world, Cricket Australia said after he spoke to reporters on Friday.
Brook referred to fitness several times at a press conference ahead of England's warm-up match against Western Australia at the WACA Ground on Saturday.
The tour follows a difficult summer, when England's Ashes campaign ended in defeat and the side came under fire for several off-field incidents.
Brook denied that the change in preparation was a direct response to that series, but he is leading a shift in mentality within the white-ball side.
"We want to be one of the fittest and strongest sides in the world," Brook said.
Brook said the team had used the past few days as a training camp, something the white-ball group had rarely had in recent years because of scheduling.
He said the side could be better by spending more time in the gym and doing more running, adding that fitness should always be a priority for professional athletes.
"You can never guarantee performance, but you can guarantee fitness and an ability to bounce back," Brook said.
Brook said the coming months and the World Cup involve a heavy schedule, with a lot of travel and back-to-back games.
He said that, while results cannot be guaranteed, off-field preparation can be much better.
The WACA pitch is known for its pace and bounce, and Brook said the warm-up match would help his players adjust to similar conditions in Perth, where the first one-day international is set for Nov. 13.
The three-match one-day series is followed by five Twenty20 internationals, starting at the MCG on Nov. 21.
Brook said veteran leg-spinner Adil Rashid would be selected game by game, depending on the pitch and conditions.
The 38-year-old played in just one of four games during a recent tri-series with Pakistan and Sri Lanka, where England finished third.
Brook was coy about how Jacob Bethell, who scored 154 in last summer's SCG Ashes Test, would be used in the white-ball sides.
He said the allrounder "could be a very vital player" for the team going forward.
Brook also said he would be watching Western Australia speedster Mahli Beardman closely, having never played against him.
"He looks like an exciting bowler, has got some pace behind him and a nice action as well," Brook said.
The 2027 ODI World Cup in southern Africa begins in October next year, and both England and Australia have changed their squads since the last tournament three years ago.
