source: ICC
The Ashes series is one of the most eagerly awaited events in cricket. This ancient rivalry between England and Australia has lasted over a century and continues to attract cricket fans all over the world.
The 73rd Ashes series is slated to take place this summer, and cricket fans are anticipating an intriguing clash between two of the sport’s most fearsome sides.
This article examines four essential aspects of the upcoming Ashes series, including player form, team relationships, and the significance of home advantage.
Whether you are a die-hard cricket fan or are just starting out, this article will give you with vital insights into one of the most iconic cricketing events in the world.
1. England, revitalized, might put on their greatest performance in years
A domestic series. A happy summer crowd. Several players have been revitalized. After a string of poor Ashes performances, England may be set to put on their best performance ever.
England’s batting line-up will be one of their primary assets this summer, with Joe Root, Ben Stokes, and the rise of young players like Harry Brook and Ben Duckett certain to pose a difficult challenge to Australia’s bowlers.
However, the host team’s bowling assault may disappoint due to concerns about fitness and a lack of spin alternatives.
With Australia’s top six batsmen largely untested in English conditions, the matchup between Cameron Green and Ben Stokes might be one of the series’ pivotal fights.
A lot will depend on these matchups, but many experts believe England has the best opportunity in a long time to win the Ashes.
2. Technology will play a larger role than ever before
The 2021 series was marked by cutting-edge technology that improved the viewing experience and made the matches more accessible to a wider audience than ever before. The Australia Cricket live app allowed fans to watch live video highlights from the stadium, check crucial player metrics, and participate in live contests and votes.
By the end of June, much of the same is forecast in England. Cricket officials are eager to make the in-game experience as engaging for spectators as possible, and they may have a few technological tricks up their sleeves.
Cricket fans are already accustomed to mobile technology for recreational purposes. For the convenience of fans, everything from live score updates to Pay by phone casinos is now available. If the previous series is any indication, the new Ashes event may turn things up a notch.
3. This will most likely be the final series for these three Australians
Their 2023 Ashes squad, like previous Australian test sides, will include some iconic stars who have lit up the cricket world for well over a decade. Unfortunately, this usually indicates they’re nearing retirement.
The 2023 edition will feature three Australians facing their final Ashes match. David Warner, who made his international debut in 2009, became the first man to represent Australia without having played in a first-class match since 1877. He went on to become one of the world’s best batters, amassing 45 hundreds in his international career, including a record-breaking 335 not out against Pakistan, the second-highest individual total in Australian history.
Mitchell Starc may follow in his footsteps and retire from cricket. Starc’s bowling has dazzled onlookers, and in the 2015 series against New Zealand, he recorded the fastest-ever Test throw of 160.4km/h.
Nathan Lyon is the third name on the list who may never participate in another Ashes match. The off-spinner holds the record for most off-spin wickets and is his country’s third-highest wicket-taker of all time as of May 2023.
All good things must come to an end, but the loss of these three world-class cricketers will be felt deeply by Australian fans.
4. England may contemplate using ‘extreme Bazball’
The ‘Bazball’ approach of England, named after head coach Brendan McCullum, is an aggressive style of cricket that includes scoring runs quickly, taking risks, and playing freely.
While it has boosted England to tremendous form, with the team winning 10 of their last 12 Tests since McCullum took over, some have pointed out that England may turn to some unsporting methods when Australia arrives to assist the strategy.
The border markers could be one area. England’s cricket grounds are already far smaller than Australia’s, with the shortest boundary at Edgbaston measuring less than 60 meters. Short limits aid the Bazball approach, and England’s boundaries may be adjusted to reflect this.
This could violate ICC Test rules, which say that no boundary should be less than 59 meters from the pitch’s centre, and that the boundary rope must be brought in between three and ten yards to establish a safe run-off area for fielders.
Despite this, former Australian captain Michael Clarke dismissed any notion that shorter boundaries would benefit England, stating that all teams must bat regardless of boundary length.
Whatever approach England employs, the Ashes series promises to be one of the most thrilling in decades. Cricket lovers can’t wait.
Also Read: Afghanistan to Tour Bangladesh for a Complete Series in June & July (cricfiles.com)