The Ashes 2023 is underway in Birmingham’s Edgbaston on Friday, June 16 with Australia coming of the World Test Championship win and England too in great form. Captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum have formed a new approach called ‘Bazball’ which is an ultra-aggressive way to play the game. Stokes was expected to go with Mark Wood as the second seamer but Stuart Broad was given the go-ahead and the captain has revealed the reason.
The spot of the second seamer was a toss-up between Mark Wood and Stuart Broad and on a flat wicket, the pace of Wood seemed to be the way to go but, Stokes has gone with Broad for the first test. Ben Stokes revealed the reason for Broad’s selection in the pre-match press conference and mentioned his poor record against Indian off-spinner Ravi Ashwin.
“It’s just one of those things – like Ashwin against me. Broady has been an unbelievable performer over many years,” said Stokes. The English captain continued, “What the Ashes brings, it’s so hard to look past someone like that.” Broad dismissed Warner 7 times in 10 innings in the 2019 series. Similarly, Ravichandran Ashwin has a similar record against Ben Stokes as the off-spinner has dismissed him 11 times in Tests and four times in ODIs.
This Ashes is one of the most anticipated tournaments of the decade with both teams being in impeccable form and more importantly, it is the clash of cricketing ideologies. This is the first tournament of the 2023-25 World Test Championship cycle which also consists of an England tour to India early next year.
