English cricket legend Ian Botham says Poms have made a HUGE mistake that could ruin their chances in the Ashes: 'It's borderline arrogance'

English cricket great Ian Botham believes the tourists have made a huge mistake with their preparation ahead of the Ashes.

Skipper Ben Stokes' men will play a three-day game against the England Lions starting on November 13 at their Lilac Hill Park base – and the legendary all-rounder fears not testing themselves against at least one local XI 'borders on arrogance.'

'It's not the way I would prepare,' Botham said ahead of the first Test in Perth from November 21.

'I think historically, you have to acclimatise when you come down here. You've got to remember there's 24 million people [population] down here, not 11. 

'You have to take that on board.

'[Also] the ball does seem to get to you quicker [in Perth] and the light is different. 

'Then you've also got the 'Fremantle Doctor' [the afternoon sea breeze in Perth]... there's all kinds of things go into the melting pot.'

Botham also wants to see England's quicks, led by Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, adopt a Bodyline-type focus with ball in hand.

Bodyline was fast-bowling tactic used by the English cricket team in the 1932–33 Ashes series, devised by captain Douglas Jardine to minimise the brilliance of Don Bradman at the crease.

It relied on very aggressive, short-pitched bowling directed at the batters to put the Aussies off their game, and proved highly controversial. 

'I think you want to be aggressive, you want [the ball] to come through. Players, if they are not playing very well, don't like it in the ribs, so it will be interesting,' Botham added.

'I don't know if they are going to rattle them [Australia]. These [Australian] guys have been around for a long time. 

'It's not always a case of rattling them – it's a case of trying to go out and win.'

Unlike Botham, England batting coach Marcus Trescothick isn't concerned, believing not playing multiple warm-up fixtures was the 'way of the modern game'.

'I think the way that these series are generally done, with the volume of cricket that's played around the world these days... you don't have time for potentially two or three first class games,' Trescothick said.

'It's the way of the modern game. 

'We are happy with what we're getting. We've had facilities here [Lilac Hill Park] with the nets and then we've got the preparation game here as well.

'We'll also have three days of prep [at Optus Stadium], just to get used to the pitches... and we'll go from there.'