Sutherland defended the scheduling of Australia's recent one-day tour to India, and said the quick change to the five-day game would have minimal effect on players in next week's first Test in Brisbane.
Had rain not ruined England's tour match in Hobart last week, the three-time Ashes holders would have played three full first-class matches before the Test series.
In contrast, Australia's Test players have in some cases had an interrupted start to the Sheffield Shield season, with the Indian tour and then the scheduling of England tour matches taking leading players out of the domestic fixtures.
"I am just dumbfounded with England being in town and preparing for an Ashes that starts in about a month's time and Australia has got a team playing in India, playing in subcontinent conditions preparing for the Ashes," said the former Test fast bowler.
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Sutherland told a Melbourne gathering on Wednesday that one-day cricket was better than no cricket.
If Australia lose a fourth straight Ashes series for the first time since 1890 they will not be able to blame inadequate preparations, he said.