Still a few months to go, but already the hype has started to rise around the upcoming Ashes series, where two arch rivals, Australia and England, will face each other. Due to their recent past performances in Test cricket, Australia is considered the favorite to win the series.

But Josh Hazlewood has different thoughts. He is expecting a tough challenge from the England cricket team, as they have multiple exciting talents. The Australia pacer recently said that players like Harry Brook or Joe Root can make a difference between two teams. Hazlewood heavily applauded Brook, who was in fine touch against India during the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy.

"England has obviously had quite flat wickets recently, the last few years, and it's been a really dry summer as well, so they are probably starting to get tired and spin now... I think Harry Brook will adapt. He's a good player. He's at the top of the rankings for a reason, and he'll be a tough challenge," Hazlewood said. 

Read More: England pacer Mark Wood targets County Championship for comeback ahead of the Ashes 2025

A test for Harry Brook as well

Brook made his Test debut for England in 2022; since then, he has played 30 matches in the Whites. During this period, the middle-order batter faced Australia in the format in 2023. It was the home series for England, and Brook played all five matches in a promising way. But he never faced Australia in Tests on an away series. The upcoming Ashes can be Brook's career's first Test assignment on the land of Kangaroos. 

England's best batting line-up in a while to tour Australia?

Read more: https://t.co/VHXk2P2sGT pic.twitter.com/cvrjVInTY7

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) August 28, 2025

"I think a fresh face like Harry Brook might find it easier. There's no baggage behind him, and he can just come out and play with freedom as he does. Joe's probably in the form of his life as well. So they're an unbelievable batting line, to be honest. The top seven have done really well...so it's a challenge," Hazlewood added. 

England pacer Mark Wood is poised to return to competitive matches with Durham in September through the County Championship. The fast bowler has been in the recovery phase because of a knee injury he received during the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan. His possible stint with Durham comes as a part of his recovery ahead of the Ashes, scheduled to take place in Australia this winter.

In a recent podcast, Wood himself revealed that he tried to make an appearance during the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy but remained out of the ground due to a swollen knee.

"It was 50-50 whether I was going to make the India Test, but I was bowling at Lord's, and then, the next day, my knee swelled up again, so I had it drained, and since then, it's just been about taking things easy, looking ahead to the winter," he informed. But, now, he feels good. "The injury is all right."

England fast bowler Mark Wood is targeting a return to action with Durham in the County Championship in September ahead of the Ashes series this winter 👀🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 pic.twitter.com/nWi81eQXJi

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) August 27, 2025

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His return will benifit England 

Wood's return to competitive matches will be crucial for England, as they had to face multiple injury issues in the recent past. Another experienced pacer, Chris Woakes, is yet to recover from a shoulder injury that he received during a match against India. If Woakes is unable to get the match ready before The Ashes, then Wood could be their main man to lead the bowling side. On the Australian surfaces, a high-speed bowler can be very useful for the visiting side. And for England, Wood is the best in terms of speed.

Durham is set to play three County Championship matches in September: Essex (September 8), Worcestershire (September 15), and Yorkshire (September 24). "I'll try and play one or two of those," Wood said about his possible comeback. Mark Wood played his last Test match on August 21, 2024, against Sri Lanka at Emirates Old Trafford. 

The roar of Ben Stokes perhaps will never fade away. On August 25, 2019, Stokes accomplished an utmost difficult task to snatch a win in Leeds against their arch rivals, Australia. From losing all wickets for 67 runs in the first innings to then successfully chasing down a target of 359 in the final innings, these all happened in the match. The match will be remembered for ages because of Ben Stokes' heroics. 

Australian bowlers stunned the entire cricket nation when they folded England's first innings for only 67 runs in the first innings. Joe Denly (12) was the only batter for England who got an individual double-digit run in the innings. Josh Hazlewood got 5 wickets, 3 wickets for Pat Cummins, and a brace for James Pattinson.

The fresh track of Leeds heavily tested the Australian batting lineup too. Before England's batting collapse, Australia, in their first innings, registered only 179 for wickets. England's 10 wickets falling for 67 allowed Australia to take a healthy lead to claim the match. The track was still helping the pacers but started to decrease gradually as it was getting old. In the second innings, Marnus Labuschagne scored 80 runs, and multiple notable innings from his teammates took Australia to 246 before the dismissal of the 10th wicket. With those 246 runs and the first-innings lead, England got a target of 359 to win the match, which seemed beyond their reach at that point. 

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The echoing roar by Stokes 

After losing their openers early, then the captain of England, Joe Root, and Joe Denly got 77- and 55-run innings, respectively. Jonny Bairstow went for 36. After that, the matter went on the shoulders of Stokes. He faced 219 balls, watched other batters come and go, with a pair of tired legs, and scored a historic 135-run inning. The number 11 batter, Jack Leach, was somehow able to hang on with Stokes and face 17 balls.

In the meantime, Nathan Lyon missed an easy chance to run out Leach; if he managed to hit the bail, the match would be over, and Australia could win the match. But, it was the day for Stokes and England; despite all the endeavors, they emerged victorious with Ben Stokes as the best player of the match.

On August 23, 2015, Michael Clarke played his last international match for Australia. In his farewell match, Australia beat England by an innings, though it was a consolation victory for the Aussies.

On this day, at The Oval cricket ground, Australia registered a one-sided victory over England. On the last day in the baggy green, Clarke was the captain for Australia. Clarke enforced a follow-on for the first time in his captaincy, and it proved effective. England's batting lineup tumbled against quality seam bowling from Australia, especially from experienced Peter Siddle.

Steve Smith, then the captain in waiting, scored a decisive century in the first innings of the game, which earned him the man of the match award. Smith played a 143-run innings before being bowled out by Steven Finn. Middle wrapped up his bowling spell with a total of 6 wickets with his name.

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A farewell through a win 

The home team, led by Alastair Cook, did not touch the benchmark set by the Australian batting line-up. Batting first, Australia, with the help of Smith's ton and three half centuries from David Warner, Adam Voges, and Mitchell Starc, registered 481 on the scoreboard. In reply, England could only get 149 and 286 after a follow-on, which resulted in an innings defeat against the arch rivals. Australia won the match by an inning and 46 runs. It was mainly England's first-innings batting collapse that let them down on the floor. Cook, in the second innings, batted bravely in front of in-form Siddle, Nathan Lyon, and Mitchell Marsh to score 85, but it was not enough to prevent the defeat. 

"We're disappointed with how the series went, but we came out and showed some of our best... The fans are such a great part of playing this game. "I've had a wonderful time touring here; hopefully I can now come back and have a holiday," Michael Clarke said in his farewell speech at The Kennington Oval. After the match, he left the field, heading off through a guard of honor. 

Another Ashes dream for England was demolished by their arch rivals Australia on August 10, 1997, at Nottingham. In the second innings of the game, England needed to score 451 to win the game. They decided to go for an adventure shot, which made the Australians' task a lot easier. 

The attacking mindset of English batters did not go well for them, and the batting lineup fell apart. Graham Thorpe's unbeaten 82-run innings was the only hope for the home team, but the other batters of the team were far away from their best. Australian bowlers did not hesitate to take their chances. Utilizing only 4 bowlers, Mark Taylor's Australia bundled 

Mike Atherton-led England only for 186, and the Australia cricket team won the match and crushed England's dream by 264 runs. Ian Healy was awarded the man of the match award for his effective batting performance and fielding efforts.

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Second innings showed England the mirror 

During his behind-the-stump duties, Healy successfully completed 7 catches in the entire Test match. The middle-order batters' 63-run innings came at the right time when the baggy green squad was slightly in a tight position with England in the second innings. Neither with the bat nor with the ball was England ever on the same level as Australia in that game. The touring team dominated Nottingham from the beginning of the match, and as per expectations, it ended in a one-sided draw. 

The England cricket team took a gamble by introducing the Hollioake brothers. It was the debut match for both Adam Hollioake and Ben Hollioake, but their inclusion could not provide any notable difference for their team under pressure. 

Summary of the match:

England vs Australia, August 7-10, 1997:

Australia: 427 and 336

England: 313 and 186 (Target: 451)

A soggy ending at Old Trafford, Manchester. On August 5, 2013, England retained the prestigious Ashes. The intense rivalry came in anticlimactic surroundings, where, more than the England batting order, Australia bowlers faced more difficulties due to adverse weather conditions.

The umpire was forced to call the stumps earlier than the actual schedule. It was announced that the play had been abandoned at 4.39pm local time. The England cricket team was already 3 wickets down for only 37 while they were chasing a target of 332 when the match was called off.

Then the captain of England, Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, and Kevin Pietersen were returned to the pavilion, and Australia positioned themselves nicely to haul the match. But the weather in Manchester did not allow that to happen. After the match, during the presentation ceremony, Cook revealed his mixed feelings about retaining the title in this manner.

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Australia was on the driving seat

Michael Clarke, the former skipper of Australia, played a magnificent 187-run innings in the first innings of the match. Chris Rogers, Steve Smith, Brad Haddin, and Mitchell Starc completed their individual half centuries and helped their team to climb to 527/7d. Despite a ton from Kevin Pietersen (113 runs), England, in the first innings, was not able to match Australia's total as they claimed only 368. 

The home team bounced back in the beginning of the second inning with the help of their bowlers. By then, Australia got enough total on board to put England on the wrong side. Then, the doors of heaven opened and rain started to pour. The match ended in a draw, and England retained the Ashes. 

The buzz around the upcoming Ashes is already touching the ceiling. The prestigious 5-match Test series will start in November, later this year. Before that, there were plenty of weeks left. But the cricket world already is witnessing the rising heat. Former cricketers from both nations have started to exchange words through various media platforms. 

Former England captain Nasser Hussain also joined the rank by issuing a warning to his nation's boys who will take a flight to Australia for The Ashes. Hussain said that there, in Australia, England cricketers will need to stay mentally tough. Because the visiting side has to deal with mind games. 

"I do think you need tough cricketers. And I mean people who would stand up out there. When you go out there, you are not taking on 11 Australian cricketers; you are taking on a nation. You’ll get out there, and the media will be on you. Within a week of landing, they will say, ‘Is this the worst England side ever to come?’ which was probably true in our case. Can’t bowl, can’t bat, can’t field. The headline will come out ‘Stuart Broad is a…something bloke", Nasser Hussain said while speaking to Sky Sports Cricket while sitting by the side of Stuart Broad. 

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'You have to be up for the fight'

For example, he mentioned Darren Gough, Ian Botham, Andrew Flintoff, and Stuart Broad, who achieved success against Australia, in Australia, not only for the skills they used to possess but also for the blend of skills and fearless nerves, according to Nasser. 

"So, you are taking on them; you are taking on the public. If you look historically, the characters, not just cricketers, who have done well against Australia—Darren Gough stood up to everyone, Ian Botham, Andrew Flintoff, and Stuart Broad. People that would not back down in a battle because that is what the Ashes is. It is a battle for however long, however many days, and you have to be up for the fight," he added. 

"People that will not back down in a battle" 😤

Nasser Hussain says England need 'tough cricketers' in their squad to travel to Australia for the Ashes 👊 pic.twitter.com/1dDhyaLsuh

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) August 3, 2025

A few months are left before the highly anticipated Ashes 2025-26, which is scheduled to start on November 21, 2025. Prior to that, former Australia international David Warner started a banter through his verbal exercise. Warner took a cheeky dig at England maestro Joe Root. The former cricketer criticized his footwork by comparing it with a surfboard.

Stuart Broad, former England cricketer, did not miss the opportunity to fire back at the Aussie. Over the years, Root developed himself as the prime middle-order batsman. But whenever he was up against their archrival Australia, Root failed to convert his momentum into a triple digit. Across 14 tests in the country, he has a top score of 89 and an average of 35.68, without a single century to his name.

Warner predicted that the right-handed batter can be exposed because of his footwork and can be easily trapped for a leg before the wicket. For that, Josh Hazlewood can be the nemesis for Joe Root, as predicted by David Warner. Stuart Broad corrected the inputs provided by the former opener. 

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War of words to set the tone

"The big anchor there is Root, who is yet to score a hundred in Australia. Hazlewood tends to have his number quite a lot. He will have to take the surfboard off his front leg," Warner said to BBC Sport.

I’ve never heard England’s best ever batters front pad called a Surfboard 😂😂
Just for clarity. Hazelwood has got Rooty LBW in Test Cricket 3 times. Three. https://t.co/HZc7hojQHi

— Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) August 2, 2025

Using his social media platform, Broad said that Hazlewood has dismissed Root leg-before only three times in his career. Broad's information was correct, as Root has fallen to Hazlewood 10 times in 18 tests, and against Pat Cummins, he lost his wicket 11 times in test cricket. "I’ve never heard of England’s best-ever batter's front pad called a Surfboard. Just for clarity. Hazelwood has got Rooty LBW in Test Cricket 3 times. Three," Broad said on the social media platform 'X.'. 

Simply the best from Ian Botham. From out of nowhere, when Australia started to smell a delicate win at Birmingham, Botham did incredible.

From 105 for 5 to 121 for 10. Ian Botham deserved to be the man of the match winner. The feat created by him back on August 2, 1981, is still considered as one of the iconic moments of The Ashes, which dignifies the intense rivalry between England and Australia. It was not among those high-scoring matches in the history of cricket.

That Ashes match was mostly dominated by the bowlers. A flurry of astonishing spells from the bowlers of both ends. Terry Alderman's 5-wicket haul was the hint in the first innings, which was later enhanced by Dennis Lillee and Ray Bright from the Aussie brigade. Mike Brearley, then the captain of England, dragged his team's total to 189 in the first innings with his individual 48. Australia replied strongly. With a combination of individual resilience and patience, they got 258 in their first innings batting.

Read More: OTD: Graeme Smith's 259 forced England to submission at Lord's

The best from the best

In the second innings, England again was not able to do much with their batting work, scoring only 219 and setting a target of 151 for Australia. It was not a tough target for a team that had batters like Allan Border, Kim Hughes (c), Martin Kent, and Rod Marsh in the lineup. The visiting side positioned them nicely to grab a win until they came into the crease for the run chase. England did not allow them to set on the wicket and create a long-standing partnership.

From the beginning of the second innings, they started to lose their scalps; Ian Botham came to blow away their last hope of ray. In 14 overs, he took 5 wickets with 9 maiden overs and a 0.78 economy rate. 

Cricket, a game with a worldwide fan base, is enjoyed through a range of tournaments that enthrall audiences across formats. From the traditional Ashes to the contemporary T20 extravaganzas, these tournaments present the best of the sport. Here's a glimpse of the world's top 10 most popular cricket tournaments, ranked according to their stature, viewership, and cultural influence.

1. ICC Men's Cricket World Cup (50-over): 

The ICC Cricket World Cup, held every four years, is the pinnacle of One Day International (ODI) cricket. Since its inception in 1975, the tournament has become a global sporting spectacle, drawing massive audiences across the world. The 2023 edition further cemented its legendary status, with Australia emerging as champions. This edition attracted over a billion viewers, highlighting the tournament’s immense popularity and cultural impact. With intense competition, passionate fans, and unforgettable moments, the World Cup remains cricket’s most iconic and prestigious event on the international stage.

2. The Ashes (Test Series): 

The Ashes was a name given to the Test cricket series played between England and Australia, two of cricket's biggest rivals, with an illustrious and historical history dating back to 1882. The Ashes is a traditional series with fierce rivalries between England and Australia, with an interesting history. Test matches make for some of the best rivalries in sport, and The Ashes is full of twists and turns, tells tales of intense encounters, contains many memorable moments, and brings out passionate fans across the world. With a colourful history and high stakes, The Ashes series is loved by experts and fans, representing the highest level of Test cricket and the intense rivalry between two of cricket's greatest nations.

3. Indian Premier League (IPL): 

Since its start dates back in 2008, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has developed into a global T20 behemoth by combining the finest international players with
India's best. Famously nicknamed the league of 'T20 cricket with Bollywood,' the IPL is known for its fast-paced matches and thick crowd following, where it has included a significant portion of financial success in the world of sports. The 2025 season, which resumed play on May 17 after its brief pause, is not just pulling the biggest numbers in viewership but pulling millions of people on the ground and online to witness the grand showcase. The IPL is unique in the sense that it combines a mix of fun and top-tier cricket that cannot be replicated within the breadth of global cricketing sensations.

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4. Border-Gavaskar Trophy (Test Series):

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which takes place every two years between India and Australia, is one of the fiercest rivalries in Test cricket. This name connects to legends Sunil Gavaskar and Allan Border, and has created a strong fan following due to the fierce competition, outstanding cricket, and contributions to the World Test Championship standings. This series has had its share of outstanding Test matches and notable moments, and draws large audiences and prestige. It demonstrates the strength, passion, and resilience of two of the strongest teams in world cricket.

5. ICC Men's T20 World Cup:

First held in 2007, this biennial cricket event has rapidly grown into a global spectacle. Known for its fast-paced, thrilling matches, it appeals especially to younger audiences who enjoy the excitement of the shorter format. The 2024 edition, jointly hosted by the West Indies and the USA, saw record-breaking attendance and massive viewership, cementing its place as one of cricket’s most popular tournaments. With each passing edition, it continues to gain momentum, showcasing explosive talent and high-stakes drama that captivates fans across the world.

6. ICC Women's Cricket World Cup:

Held every four years, the Women’s 50-over World Cup has steadily grown in stature, showcasing the finest talent in women’s cricket. Featuring top international players, the tournament has become a major event on the global sporting calendar. The 2022 edition in New Zealand highlighted the rising popularity and competitiveness of women’s cricket, drawing significant viewership and media attention. As more nations invest in developing their women’s teams, the tournament continues to deliver thrilling contests and inspiring performances, further elevating the profile of women’s cricket on the world stage.

Also Read: IPL 2025: Sunil Gavaskar's emotional urge to BCCI after tragic Pahalgam attack

7. Pakistan Super League (PSL):

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) has become one of the premier T20 cricket leagues in the world since its inception in 2016. The 2025 season, which began on February 16 and concluded on May 25, has entertained fans with stars like Babar Azam and Shadab Khan. With high domestic and international viewership, the PSL has helped rejuvenate interest in cricket in Pakistan, while also highlighting emerging local talent. The league has seen intense competition, high production value, and a loyal following in both Pakistan and abroad.

8. Big Bash League (BBL):

Since its launch in 2011, Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL) has rapidly grown into a major T20 domestic competition. Known for its vibrant and festive atmosphere, the BBL offers an exciting platform for young and emerging players to showcase their skills on a big stage. The league’s high-energy matches and family-friendly environment attract large crowds and TV audiences every season. By blending top-notch cricket with entertainment, the BBL has become a beloved event in Australia’s sporting calendar, helping to develop future stars while providing thrilling action for fans across the country.

9. Caribbean Premier League (CPL):

The Caribbean Premier League (CPL) was created in 2013, bringing T20 excitement to the Caribbean. T20 matches enjoyed by star players such as Kieron Pollard and Andre Russell brought international praise and attention quickly to the CPL for the excitement of the matches and the vibrancy of the island and its culture. With the CPL, high-quality cricket is joined with the colourful and vibrant Caribbean people and culture. The region is passionate about cricket, its clubs, and their celebrations are unmatched inside and outside on the streets of their homeland. Additionally, the CPL contains eventful displays of cricket that involve local funding resources and cricketers inside entertaining and vibrant matches, plus the unique experiences of Caribbean islands as a part of the game which nobody else can. The CPL has transitioned to becoming one of the main events on cricket's annual calendar of cricket, celebrates the best local talents, while providing entertaining cricket that represents the soul of the iCaribbean islands.

10. Asia Cup: 

Every two years since 1984, the Asia Cup, a regional giant dominated by India and Pakistan, has been a biennial ODI and T20 competition. The 2025 version promises to be a highlight. This series, covering Test, ODI, and T20 formats, speaks volumes about cricket's expansive popularity and its power to engage one billion-plus people across the globe.