15 June 2023 02:27 pm Views - 252
In what could be the most-anticipated Ashes series in recent memory, the unstoppable BazBall force comes up against the immovable World Test Championship-winning Australia across six weeks of irresistible Test cricket.
England were not at the races when the teams met in Australia for the 2021/22 series, though it'd be fair to say recent form of this series' hosts makes the five matches truly tantalising.
Taking a 4-0 beating 18 months ago, and having any chance of a World Test Championship Final tarnished, England used the second half of their cycle to experiment. Joe Root stepped aside, Ben Stokes stepped up, and new red-ball coach Brendon McCullum rung the changes.
The results were so devastating for their opponents, their defeat Down Under has become a distant memory, to the point where England quick Stuart Broad declared the series "void", amidst other logistical complications. The side have since 11 of 13 matches since McCullum's appointment, a record that stacks up against their rivals, who went on to lift the 2023 mace just a few days ago.
A common ground of world-class cricket by the pair was Pakistan in the last World Test Championship cycle, both bringing back series victories. England went about proceedings with their now-trademark approach; Australia meanwhile used their grit and grind to victory.
There's nothing to suggest that either team will deviate, setting up a gripping six weeks.
Ashes History
Series played: 72
Australia wins: 34
England wins: 32
Draws: 6
England last won the Ashes in 2015, with Australia claiming the 2017/2018 Ashes and retaining the urn with a 2-2 series draw in the UK in 2019. Australia won the 2021/2022 series 4-0.
Squads
Australia (first two Test matches): Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Todd Murphy, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner
England: Ben Stokes (c), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood. (ICC)
Schedule