The 3 day warm-up game starts today against the England Lions.

https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/?tab=m_summary#mdfb90000-7a08-761c-f5f7-08dded5af61d

The fact that Jacob Bethell is playing for the Lions and Pope for England suggests that Jacob may have another quiet winter.

It's still absolute folly to me that he's anywhere near the Test side.

Wickets from day 1

https://youtu.be/qdkIZ0jbAWY?si=zj2LlV_CCx76uh8l

The less said the better about the first Test.

Whilst there's no such thing as a weak Australia team, the present group are a long way short of some Aussie XIs we've seen. Yet they have played England off the park. I don't think there is a lack of talent in England, it comes down to poor selections and bad tactics. That must be the fault of management and there must be some accountability.
It would be nice to see the entire ECB sacked but that ain't going to happen. McCullum must go - his approach has produced some entertaining and exciting games but the win-loss ratio is nowhere near what a major Test playing nation should want. So too, sadly, must Stokes. He's been a giant for English cricket and replacing him as captain and all-rounder poses a problem, but he is so personally identified with Bazball that it is impossible to see him fitting in with another regime.
2026 is a relatively light year for English Test cricket so it can be used as a recovery/development year. Get a new coach in quick then work with him to shape out what team you want in 2027. There's the talent there if you use it properly.