Ashes Preview 2023: England vs. Australia

The upcoming Ashes series of 2023 is generating immense excitement as both teams enter the contest in exceptional form and with high expectations.

In the previous series held in Australia, the English team endured a humiliating 4-0 defeat at the hands of the dominant Australians. However, significant changes have taken place since then, with Ben Stokes assuming the role of captain and Brendon McCullum serving as the coach. Under their leadership, England has exhibited an ultra-aggressive and entertaining brand of cricket, winning 10 out of 12 matches.

Australia, led by an elite bowling attack and bolstered by the presence of world-class players such as Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, will undoubtedly provide England with a formidable challenge during the “BazBall” era.

Let’s delve into the early information about the series, including dates, venues, squads, and the initial odds provided by trusted online betting sites.

Ashes Schedule:

The Ashes will commence on Friday, June 16th, in Birmingham and will continue until July 31st. London will host two matches, with games at the Oval and Lord’s. Additionally, Leeds and Manchester will each host one game.

1st Test: Edgbaston, Birmingham – June 16-20

2nd Test: Lord’s, London – June 28-July 2

3rd Test: Headingley, Leeds – July 6-10

4th Test: Old Trafford, Manchester – July 19-23

5th Test: The Oval, London – July 27-31

Ashes Odds:

A few weeks prior to the series, England was initially favoured to win. However, with the injury to Jack Leach, the odds have shifted. Most betting sites now place Australia as the favourites to win the series at 11/10, while England stands at 5/4. The bookmakers, along with pundits and fans, anticipate an incredibly close contest, with a series draw currently sitting at 6/1.

Game Start Times:

All matches will commence at 11 am BST. The morning session will run until 1 pm, followed by a 40-minute lunch break. The afternoon session will continue until 3:40 pm, with a 20-minute tea break. The final session will conclude at 6 pm, with an additional half-hour available if the allocated 90 overs haven’t been bowled.

TV Coverage:

Sky Sports holds the rights to broadcast domestic cricket, ensuring live coverage of every ball on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event. The BBC will provide highlights after each day’s play, along with ball-by-ball radio coverage on Radio 5 Live Sports Extra.

Squads:

England’s squad for the first two Tests remains unchanged from the lineup announced for the test against Ireland at Lord’s, with one notable exception. Moeen Ali replaces Jack Leach in the squad:

Ben Stokes (captain), Ollie Pope (vice-captain), Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Dan Lawrence, Jonny Bairstow (wicket-keeper), Chris Woakes, Ollie Robinson, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Mark Wood, Matt Potts, Josh Tongue, Moeen Ali.

Australia will be participating in the World Test Championship final against India at the Oval the week prior to the Ashes. They have named a squad for that game and the opening two Ashes tests:

Pat Cummins (captain), Steve Smith (vice-captain), 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, Mitchell Starc, David Warner.

The omission of Ben Foakes from England’s squad has sparked discussion among pundits, considering his steady contributions in the lower order and his exceptional wicket-keeping skills. Some experts had suggested dropping Zak Crawley and reshuffling the batting order to accommodate Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook, or even captain Ben Stokes as an opener. However, Stokes and McCullum have chosen to stick with Crawley.

During the Ireland Test, Jack Leach experienced back pain, leading to a scan revealing a stress fracture, ruling him out for the entire Ashes series. Moeen Ali, despite not playing red-ball cricket since 2021, has been named as his replacement.

Recent Series Results:

The results of the most recent Ashes series are as follows:

2013/14 (in Australia) – Australia won 5-0

2015 (in England) – England won 3-2

2017/18 (in Australia) – Australia won 4-0

2019 (in England) – series drawn 2-2

2021/22 (in Australia) – Australia won 4-0

Series Preview:

The Chaotic vs. The Considered

The Ashes presents a fascinating clash between an England side fully committed to chaos theory, with minimal red-ball preparation, and a methodical Australian team determined to dismantle England’s unorthodox methods and restore order.

England’s approach, far from madness, borders on brilliance, while Australia possesses the balance and brilliance required to challenge it.

With their resounding victory over India serving as a warm-up, Australia enters the first Test at Edgbaston as 1.93 favorites, with England at 2.72 and the series draw at 8.40.

So, where does the value lie? Australia’s thorough preparation against India positions them as better equipped for the opening Test, especially if the pitch at Edgbaston replicates the Oval surface.

Preview of the Ashes Series: Chaos versus Consideration

The upcoming Ashes series between England and Australia is set to be a clash of contrasting approaches. England, known for their chaotic style, have had limited red-ball preparation leading up to the series. On the other hand, Australia, a more considered and disciplined team, aim to dismiss England’s unorthodox methods and bring an end to the madness.

The Australian team enters the series as the favourites, with odds of 1.93, having showcased their dominance by defeating India in the World Test Championship. Their well-rounded squad and formidable bowling attack, including the emergence of Scott Boland as a valuable option, make them a menacing opponent. Australia’s preference for pitches with pace and bounce aligns with their strengths, while avoiding green tops that have historically posed challenges for them in England.

England’s strategy, though unorthodox, is not without its merits. They possess a method bordering on genius, and their approach could make for an epic contest. However, England’s injury troubles and lack of adequate preparation are a cause for concern. Several key players, such as Joe Root, Harry Brook, and Ben Stokes, have had minimal red-ball cricket experience in recent months. The availability of their first-choice bowling attack, featuring both James Anderson and Mark Wood, remains uncertain due to rotation and fitness concerns.

Despite the challenges, England’s home advantage cannot be overlooked. Their quality and the support of the home crowd could help them give Australia a tough battle. While a drawn series may appeal to some, England is unlikely to settle for that outcome and will strive for victory.

Key Players to Watch in the Ashes:

Pat Cummins: Backing Pat Cummins as the top overall series bowler at 9/2 seems sensible. He previously won this bet in the 2019 series, taking 29 wickets in five matches, and repeated the feat in the 2021/2022 series despite missing a match due to a positive Covid-19 test. Cummins’ impressive performance against India indicates he is in excellent form and ready to shine in the Ashes.

Ben Stokes: In the top England batsman market, Ben Stokes is a worthy pick. In the 2019 Ashes series, he emerged as England’s leading run-scorer, amassing two centuries and a total of 441 runs. Stokes has demonstrated his ability to handle the likes of Cummins and Nathan Lyon effectively, particularly in his memorable innings at Headingley. As a player who thrives in high-pressure situations, Stokes is likely to deliver when the stakes are high in the Ashes.

Overall, the Ashes series presents numerous storylines, with Australia rightfully considered favourites due to their strong form and preparation. However, England’s home advantage and potential for an intense battle make them a valuable proposition. While a close series is expected, with the draw holding some appeal, England will be determined to claim victory with the support of their home crowd.

Ashes Series 2023 betting tips