England Test skipper Joe Root is of the opinion that his side’s preparations haven’t been ideal ahead of the Ashes that gets underway on December 8 in Brisbane. Rain barred action during the first warm-up game between the senior side and England Lions and there is a chance that rain might play spoilsport again with the two sides set to lock horns in a four-day affair, starting from Tuesday, November 30. Root also clarified that the practice match will not be having first-class status since the team management is keen on testing as many players as possible on the park before the marquee series.