The platinum standard of cricket is returning as Australia host England for the iconic Ashes, which begins on Wednesday. The historic series between these two heavyweights is played once every two years and dates back to a series between them in 1882-83.
Head to Head
There have been 71 Ashes series, and the two nations are roughly even; Australia have won 33, England have won 32, with six drawn series between them. The most recent series, which took place in 2019, ended in a 2-2 tie.
Pitch, Toss and conditions
Queensland has been soaking, as it has been raining heavily in the buildup to the Test. Although there has been some relief in the last week, rain and thunderstorms are expected for the next two days. A day before the match, the pitch was covered in a thick layer of live green grass, but the newly appointed Australian captain, Pat Cummins, said in the pre-match press conference that the pitch looked like a standard Gabba surface.
Australia – Beginning of a New Era
For Australia, it is the beginning of a new era, with Cummins leading his country for the first time, becoming the first Australian fast-bowling captain since 1956. Alex Carey will be making his Test debut, replacing ex-captain Tim Paine behind the stumps. However, it is the same formidable attack that won 4-0 four years ago, with their fast bowling quartet along with David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, and Steven Smith all looming large at home.
England – A fight for the legacy
Despite the presence of youngsters in their squad, England’s tour of Australia is being viewed as a legacy series for both Joe Root’s captaincy as well as their two most prolific fast bowlers, James Anderson and Stuart Broad. Root arrives in Australia in the best form of his life, while Anderson and Broad’s fitness remains in doubt. Ben Stokes is finally making a comeback, but he hasn’t played competitive cricket since July, and he hasn’t played a red-ball game since his last Test in March. His class and competitiveness, on the other hand, are unquestionable.
Key areas to look out for
The return of Ben Stokes
With Stokes’ making a comeback, England’s captain and supporters across the world will be slightly comforted, as they finally have a solution for their frail lower middle-order. Stokes has certainly been one of England’s most prolific performers in the Ashes throughout the years, with roughly 20% of his career runs coming against Australia. In the Ashes, his batting average has been marginally higher than his career average of 37.04. Stokes has three quality hundreds and four half-centuries in the Ashes, with a batting average of 38.37. Stokes has also established himself as a solid fifth bowling option, and at times as a fourth bowling option, with 22 wickets at an average of 35.94, as compared to his career average of 31.38.
Warner vs Broad – A battle to look out for
In the 2019 Ashes, Broad made Warner his bunny. It’s easy to predict Broad’s dominance over Warner. However, the circumstances will be vastly different than they were back then. Warner averages 63.21 at home and 60.25 versus England. Yes, Broad has bothered Warner in England, with the opener averaging 18.8 against him and getting out eight times, but the average in Australia is three times higher at 52.
James Anderson out of the first test
England’s premier bowler, James Anderson, will miss the first test owing to a calf injury and also to keep him fresh for the D/N Test in Adelaide, jeopardizing their prospects of taking a critical 1-0 series lead in Brisbane, which is renowned for being a death trap for visiting teams.
Stats to look out for
- For nearly 11 months, Nathan Lyon has sat on 399 Test wickets. With his first wicket, he will become only the third Australian to reach 400 Test wickets, behind Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath, 17th overall, and only the seventh spinner.
- Steve Smith’s performance in the last two Ashes series has been outstanding. He has 1461 runs at 121.75 in 14 innings, with six centuries, two double centuries, and five half-centuries.
- Since 1986-87, England has not won in Brisbane. After India successfully ended the 32-year, 29-match drought in January, the Gabba is no longer the impenetrable fortress it once was for visiting teams.
Predicted Playing XI
Australia: David Warner, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
England: Rory Burns, Haseeb Hameed, Dawid Malan, Joe Root (c), Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler (wk), Chris Woakes, Ollie Robinson, Mark Wood, Stuart Broad