Ashes 2017: Mark Stoneman reveals the fiery net sessions that are preparing England's batsmen for the real thing

Stoneman posted the first century by an England batsman on this tour on Thursday, scoring 111 on day two of the tourists’ final warm-up game against a Cricket Australia XI

Mark Stoneman has been putting in the hard yards in the nets and is reaping the rewards (Getty)

Mark Stoneman has lifted the lid on the high-intensity net drills that are preparing England’s batsmen for Australia’s pace attack during the Ashes.

Stoneman posted the first century by an England batsman on this tour on Thursday, scoring 111 on day two of the tourists’ final warm-up game against a Cricket Australia XI in Townsville.

Alastair Cook also passed fifty for the first time since August, eventually falling for 70, while captain Joe Root and No5 Dawid Malan scored unbeaten half-centuries as England closed on 337 for three, a lead of 87.

But Stoneman admits the opposition England have faced so far on tour, with nothing more than honest medium pacers on slow wickets, have been no better than low-ranking county attacks.

“Everyone is critical of the opposition we’ve faced,” said Stoneman. “We can’t change it. We’ve got what we’ve been given. It’s probably one of the weaker seam attacks you’d be facing in Division One. “More often than not though you’re getting a bit more on offer for the bowlers with the Dukes ball in English conditions.

“In terms of how I’ve played, I’m fairly happy and it feels like my game in in good order. It’s going to be tested a hell of a lot more next week, that’s for sure. There’s no doubts about that and everyone’s aware of it.”

Australia’s Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazelwood, all capable of bowling in excess of 90 miles per hour, will be a far tougher proposition when the first Test starts at the Gabba next Thursday.

That’s why England’s batsmen have been put through the ringer in the nets, with batting coach Mark Ramprakash giving them short-range throw-downs with the lighter indoor Kookaburra ball to replicate the pace they are expected to face during the Ashes.

Ramprakash has put the batsmen through four overs of ‘survival’ drills, with those dismissed forced to do ten press-ups.

Stoneman has arrived in Australia in great touch (AFP)

“They’re yellow balls, slightly lighter and travel quite quick and it allows him to go all out as fast as he can and really test your instincts and reactions, just to try and ramp things up a bit,” said Stoneman. “It’s good, it’s really testing, and it’s something we’ve used on this trip because we know what we’re coming up against.

“I’d say the session we had the other day when he really cranked it up and it was a four-over survival drill where there was plenty whizzing past your nose end, that’s as fast in my career as I’ve faced.”

Despite the poor opposition, Stoneman believes Cook is back to his best and ready to take on Australia in Brisbane next week.

Cook and Stoneman got some invaluable time in the middle together in Townsville (AFP)

“Someone who has the experience he can fall back on I’m sure is comfortable with where he is at and looking forward to getting to the Gabba,” he said.

“Once his adrenalin is pumping and he’s got Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazelwood staring down at him that will get him really up for it. That’s when we’ll see the best of him on this tour.”

Stoneman and Cook spent 40 overs putting on an opening stand of 172, another good sign ahead of the Ashes.

Stoneman's attentions will now turn to Brisbane (AFP)

“The longer you’re out there together the more it helps gel that partnership and it’s going to be one of the key factors when the series kicks off against the Aussie new-ball bowlers,” said Stoneman. “If we can do our job, blunt them a bit and put on some good partnerships then it’ll get us in some good positions.”

As for his own form, Stoneman said: “It’s very pleasing to get the three figures. It takes me on another level of progression ahead of the first Test. I’m in decent touch.

“I just feel like I’m moving well and form that I just have to make good decisions. I don’t often think I’m in really good nick or out of nick, I just tell by how my body is moving. If I’m making the right decisions then generally they work well together.”