The Ashes 2023 – Series Preview

Test cricket’s fiercest rivalry resumes on Friday at Edgbaston as England take on Australia in the first Ashes Test of the summer in Birmingham. After losing 4-0 last time out in Australia, Ben Stokes’ new-look England side will look to change their fortunes against their age-old rivals and regain the Ashes for the first time since 2015.

The hosts have been completely revitalised as a red-ball side since their last Ashes hammering 18 months ago down under, with Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes revolutionising their approach to the longest format by looking to take the attack to the opposition. England’s newfound all-guns blazing method has worked wonders, with Stokes and McCullum winning 11 of their 13 Tests since they took over from Joe Root and Chris Silverwood in 2022.

However, Bazball faces its sternest test to date this summer as they take on the newly-crowned World Test Champions, Australia, who comprehensively beat India by 209 runs at the Oval last week. Pat Cummins’ side will be looking to build on that success this summer, aiming to retain the Ashes for the third time in a row and continue their stellar recent record against the hosts, having lost just two of their last 15 matches against England.

Players to watch out for

Harry Brook

Harry Brook’s record-breaking start to Test cricket has encapsulated England’s red-ball fortunes under McCullum and Stokes. The Yorkshireman has slammed an unprecedented 818 runs and four centuries in his first 11 Test innings at a phenomenal strike rate of 99 and average of 81.8, and will play a key role in the English middle order against the fearsome Aussie bowling attack.

Scott Boland

Australia’s answer to England’s aggressive approach with the bat could be seam bowling sensation, Scott Boland. The Victorian has got off to a sensational start to his Test career, picking up 33 wickets at an average of 14.6 in eight matches, and his accuracy and movement could be the key to containing England’s flamboyant batting line-up this summer.

Team News

England have already announced their playing XI for the first Ashes Test in Edgbaston. Stuart Broad has got the nod over Mark Wood as the third seamer, while Moeen Ali makes his return to red-ball cricket for the first time since September 2021 after replacing the injured Jack Leach in the squad.

Australia, meanwhile, are expected to go with the same XI that hammered India in the ICC World Test Championship final, giving Josh Hazlewood another week to recover from his long-term injury absence.

Probable XI’s

England: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali, Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson, Jimmy Anderson

Australia: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland