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. 

Read More: [WATCH] ENG vs IND 5th Test: Edge, catch, Ben Duckett departs! Prasidh Krishna on roll

'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. 

Read More: [WATCH] ENG vs IND 5th Test: Yashasvi Jaiswal's heartwarming celebration after smashing century at The Oval

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.

See Also: IPL 2025: Qualification Scenario for Gujarat Titans (GT)

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.

ENG vs AUS Match Preview

The Fifth Test of the Men’s Ashes series, which begins at the Oval on Thursday morning, concludes one of the most closely contested and entertaining series in history. Australia has won the Ashes and leads the series 2-1, but England was far superior in the drawn Fourth Test and won the Third Test. England played well in Manchester last week but did not declare early enough to force a result due to bad weather on the final day. They will believe they are deserving of tying the series with a victory at The Oval. On this trip, Australia has already won the World Test Championship Final and retained the Ashes, and all they need to do now is avoid defeat to win the series. It will, however, be a difficult task against this England team.

ENG vs AUS Match Details

England vs Australia – 5th Test

Venue: Kennington Oval – London

Date & Time: 27th July 2023 at 03:30 PM IST 

Live Streaming: SonyLIV

ENG vs AUS Venue Stats

ENG vs AUS Pitch Report

We’ve seen plenty of high scores at The Oval this season, regardless of the format. In the first innings, a par score will be 350-400.

ENG vs AUS Weather Report

Day Four of the Oval Test will be the only one without rain. However, it could just be passing showers, and there should be enough time to see a result.

ENG vs AUS Last Five Matches

ENG vs AUS Head-to-Head Stats

Injury News

No Injury. Will be added when there is an update.

ENG vs AUS Probable Playing XIs:

England Probable Playing XIs

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Moeen Ali, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Ben Stokes (c), Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood, Jimmy Anderson

Australia Probable Playing XIs

Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood

Topmost Picks for ENG vs AUS Dream11 Prediction:

Top Picks – England

• Joe Root – The 32 year old made his second score of 80+ in the series at Old Trafford last week. He could only be dismissed by a ball which shot along the ground.
• Mark Wood – The quick bowler put in another very strong bowling performance at Old Trafford. He is the player who Australia’s batters most fear in this series.

Top Picks – Australia

• Usman Khawaja – Only one player across both sides in the series has hit more runs than the Australian opener. He had previously struggled in England but has been very good on this tour.
• Pat Cummins – The skipper has taken 16 wickets across this series and although he has been expensive at times, he regularly finds a way to dismiss some of the world’s best players.

Suggested Playing XI N0.1 for ENG vs AUS Dream11 Team:

Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Zak Crawley, Mitchell Marsh(C), Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes(VC), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Stuart Broad

Suggested Playing XI N0.2 for ENG vs AUS Dream11 Team:

Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root(C), Steve Smith(VC), Usman Khawaja, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Mark Wood

Captain and Vice-Captain Options:

Captain – Mitchell Marsh, Joe Root

Vice-captain – Chris Woakes, Steve Smith

Wicketkeeper – Jonny Bairstow

ENG vs AUS Probable Winners:

Australia may have already won the Ashes, but there is no way they will relent in this game. None of their players have ever won an Ashes series in England, and this may be their last chance. England, on the other hand, has been playing excellent cricket in the last two Tests and looks set to thrive in the forecast cloudy conditions. We predict an England victory to end the series. Considering the team combination, England is expected to win this match.

ENG vs AUS Match Preview

England and Australia meet for the fourth time this summer at Old Trafford on Wednesday morning, with the visitors leading the series 2-1. England re-entered the series with a three-wicket victory at Headingley two Sundays ago. England won their first series match at Headingley, following narrow defeats at Edgbaston and Lord’s. The hosts will now believe they have momentum and will be confident going into the second Test. Australia knows that a win in this game will secure the Ashes with one match remaining. However, they finished second in the previous competition.

ENG vs AUS Match Details

England vs Australia – 4th Test

Venue: Old Trafford – Manchester

Date & Time: 19th July 2023 at 03:30 PM IST 

Live Streaming: SonyLIV

ENG vs AUS Venue Stats

ENG vs AUS Pitch Report

We anticipate a pitch similar to the one used in Leeds for the previous Test, with some pace but also movement for the quicks and turn for the spinners.

ENG vs AUS Weather Report

The weather forecast for this Test Match calls for rain on the final four scheduled days. The hottest day and best weather are expected on Wednesday, with temperatures reaching 20 degrees.

ENG vs AUS Last Five Matches

ENG vs AUS Head-to-Head Stats

Injury News

No Injury. Will be added when there is an update.

ENG vs AUS Probable Playing XIs:

England Probable Playing XIs

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Moeen Ali, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Ben Stokes (c), Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood, Jimmy Anderson

Australia Probable Playing XIs

Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh,  Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood

Topmost Picks for ENG vs AUS Dream11 Prediction:

Top Picks – England

• Joe Root – Only Alastair Cook has scored more Test centuries than the former England skipper. Right-handed Root is the wicket which all Australian bowlers want to take.
• Stuart Broad – The tall aggressive pace bowler took 3 wickets in both innings of the First Test including dismissing Marnus Labuschagne for a golden duck in the first innings.

Top Picks – Australia

• Usman Khawaja – The experienced opener made scores of 141 and 65 at Edgbaston. Ahead of this Lord’s Test, his Test average is up to 48.10 from 109 innings.
• Mitchell Starc – The left-arm pace bowler has found his radar over recent games and causes plenty of problems to England’s right-handed batters with his natural angle.

Suggested Playing XI N0.1 for ENG vs AUS Dream11 Team:

Jonny Bairstow, Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, Joe Root, Mitchell Marsh(C), Ben Stokes(VC), Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Mark Wood

Suggested Playing XI N0.2 for ENG vs AUS Dream11 Team:

Ben Duckett, Steve Smith(VC), Travis Head, Joe Root(C), Mitchell Marsh, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood

Captain and Vice-Captain Options:

Captain – Mitchell Marsh, Joe Root

Vice-captain – Ben Stokes, Steve Smith

Wicketkeeper – Jonny Bairstow

ENG vs AUS Probable Winners:

With the Ashes still up for grabs, another thrilling Test Match at Old Trafford is expected. If Australia had won the final game, they would have already won the series, but England fought back and now appears to have the upper hand. England’s bowling attack appears to be at its peak ahead of this game, and we expect them to win. Considering the team combination, England is expected to win this match.

ENG vs AUS Match Preview

England faces a must-win situation in the third Ashes Test against Australia, trailing the five-match series 2-0. The score is 2-0 in favour of Australia, but England has tried to play bold cricket, unconcerned about the outcome. However, at this level, teams should be flexible enough to adopt different strategies, and if something isn’t working, the teams should switch to plan B, which is exactly what England should do. Australia has been outstanding in the Ashes, denying England a chance to dominate. Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc have kept the English batters at bay. If England remains rigid and plays only one way, this Australian bowling lineup will destroy them.

ENG vs AUS Match Details

England vs Australia – 3rd Test

Venue: Headingley Stadium – Leeds

Date & Time: 06th July 2023 at 03:30 PM IST 

Live Streaming: SonyLIV

ENG vs AUS Venue Stats

ENG vs AUS Pitch Report

The pitch appears to be very green right now, but we anticipate that some of the grass will have been removed by the time of the toss on Wednesday morning. A reasonable first-inning total will be around 350.

ENG vs AUS Weather Report

This Test is expected to have cloudy conditions on Day 1 and rain on Day 2. Clear skies are expected to predominate beginning on Day 3.

ENG vs AUS Last Five Matches

ENG vs AUS Head-to-Head Stats

Injury News

No Injury. Will be added when there is an update.

ENG vs AUS Probable Playing XIs:

England Probable Playing XIs

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jonny Bairstow (wk), Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson, Mark Wood, Chris Woakes

Australia Probable Playing XIs

David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Todd Murphy, Josh Hazlewood

Topmost Picks for ENG vs AUS Dream11 Prediction:

Top Picks – England

• Joe Root – Only Alastair Cook has scored more Test centuries than the former England skipper. Right-handed Root is the wicket which all Australian bowlers want to take.
• Stuart Broad – The tall aggressive pace bowler took 3 wickets in both innings of the First Test including dismissing Marnus Labuschagne for a golden duck in the first innings.

Top Picks – Australia

• Usman Khawaja – The experienced opener made scores of 141 and 65 at Edgbaston. Ahead of this Lord’s Test, his Test average is up to 48.10 from 109 innings.
• Nathan Lyon – The off-spinner continues to cause England problems irrespective of the venue. He was even at the crease for the winning runs in Edgbaston which will have given him particular pleasure.

Suggested Playing XI N0.1 for ENG vs AUS Dream11 Team:

Alex Carey, Ben Duckett, Usman Khawaja, Joe Root, Steven Smith(C), Travis Head, Ben Stokes(VC), Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins

Suggested Playing XI N0.2 for ENG vs AUS Dream11 Team:

Alex Carey, Harry Brook, Usman Khawaja(VC), Joe Root(C), Steven Smith, Travis Head, Ben Stokes, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins

Captain and Vice-Captain Options:

Captain – Steven Smith, Joe Root

Vice-captain – Ben Stokes, Usman Khawaja

Wicketkeeper – Jonny Bairstow

ENG vs AUS Probable Winners:

After losing the first two games, England will be desperate to win one more game and keep the series alive. England has looked good in patches, but they have struggled to execute the Bazball against Australia’s bowling attack. England must reconsider their strategy and play a more prudent game. They will be blown away by Australia if they remain rigid and continue to play the way they do. Considering the team combination, Australia is expected to win this match.

ENG vs AUS Match Preview

Following a thrilling first Test of the 2023 Ashes at Edgbaston, England and Australia will square off again in the series’ second Test at Lord’s on Wednesday morning. Australia won the first Test with two wickets remaining, but both teams believe they can play much better in this game. England maintained their attacking mindset and came close to taking a 1-0 lead in the Lord’s Ashes Test. They will not back down against the Aussies and will be confident of tying the series. Australia displayed incredible fortitude in overcoming a difficult first day on the pitch to win in Edgbaston thanks to some lower order batting heroics. Australia will be full of confidence after winning that game.

ENG vs AUS Match Details

England vs Australia – 2nd Test

Venue: Lords Cricket Ground – London

Date & Time: 28th June 2023 at 03:30 PM IST 

Live Streaming: SonyLIV

ENG vs AUS Venue Stats

ENG vs AUS Pitch Report

The pitch appears to be very green right now, but we anticipate that some of the grass will have been removed by the time of the toss on Wednesday morning. A reasonable first-inning total will be around 350.

ENG vs AUS Weather Report

This Test is expected to have cloudy conditions on Day 1 and rain on Day 2. Clear skies are expected to predominate beginning on Day 3.

ENG vs AUS Last Five Matches

ENG vs AUS Head-to-Head Stats

Injury News

No Injury. Will be added when there is an update.

ENG vs AUS Probable Playing XIs:

England Probable Playing XIs

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Ben Stokes (c), Moeen Ali, Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson, Jimmy Anderson

Australia Probable Playing XIs

Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon

Topmost Picks for ENG vs AUS Dream11 Prediction:

Top Picks – England

• Joe Root – Only Alastair Cook has scored more Test centuries than the former England skipper. Right-handed Root is the wicket which all Australian bowlers want to take.
• Stuart Broad – The tall aggressive pace bowler took 3 wickets in both innings of the First Test including dismissing Marnus Labuschagne for a golden duck in the first innings.

Top Picks – Australia

• Usman Khawaja – The experienced opener made scores of 141 and 65 at Edgbaston. Ahead of this Lord’s Test, his Test average is up to 48.10 from 109 innings.
• Nathan Lyon – The off-spinner continues to cause England problems irrespective of the venue. He was even at the crease for the winning runs in Edgbaston which will have given him particular pleasure.

Suggested Playing XI N0.1 for ENG vs AUS Dream11 Team:

Jonny Bairstow(VC), Alex Carey, Joe Root, Usman Khawaja(C), Steve Smith, Ben Stokes, Cameron Green, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Ollie Robinson, Jimmy Anderson

Suggested Playing XI N0.2 for ENG vs AUS Dream11 Team:

Jonny Bairstow, Marnus Labuschagne, Joe Root(C), Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith(VC), Ben Stokes, Cameron Green, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Moeen Ali, Jimmy Anderson

Captain and Vice-Captain Options:

Captain – Usman Khawaja, Joe Root

Vice-captain – Jonny Bairstow, Steve Smith

Wicketkeeper – Jonny Bairstow

ENG vs AUS Probable Winners:

The first Ashes Test was enjoyed by all cricket fans, and both teams will feel they can take positives from the match. The visitors can point to their victory as the ultimate success because England took the initiative and was not afraid of Australia. We expect another close game, but we believe Australia’s key batters will score more runs this time. Australia will win, in our opinion. Considering the team combination, Australia is expected to win this match.

The Ashes are here and England will be eager to get things on the way. Unlike last time they come in with a lot of form and intimidation around them this time. The one major concern for them though would be the form of Steve Smith who looked unstoppable in the WTC Finals, and could get the English bowlers sweating again.

ENG vs AUS Match Details

Date: June 16th, 2023

Time:  3:30 PM IST

Venue: Birmingham

ENG vs AUS Weather Report

The weather looks pretty clear for the upcoming fixture.

ENG vs AUS Pitch Report

The nature of the track is uncertain with Ben Stokes and England calling for Flat and Fast pitches for the Ashes.

ENG vs AUS Head-to-Head

Played- 356 | England- 110 | Australia-150 | Draw- 96 | Tie- 0

ENG vs AUS Predicted Playing XI

England Playing XI

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali, Ollie Robinson, Stuart Broad, James Anderson

Australia Playing XI

David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc/ Josh Boland, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon

ENG vs AUS Key Players

Moeen Ali

A few months after closing the door on a Test comeback, Moeen Ali will make his way back in whites as he gears up for his first Test since 2021. He sees the upcoming Test as a free hit and with Jack Leach out he had to make his way back to help England fill the gap of the spinner in the line-up.

David Warner

The next two Tests are key to David Warner’s Test career. A good performance here allows him to extend his career potentially up until the Sydney Test where he has already expressed his desires to have his swansong. He will have Stuart Broad against him though who has tormented him dearly around the wicket last time around in England.

ENG vs AUS Match Tips

England are a changed side but seeing the Australian bowling attack and England’s head to head against their bowlers Australia could come in as favorites despite the talk about Bazball.

Match Prediction: Australia Will Win the Match

Brendon McCullum was the one tasked with the tough job of informing Ben Foakes that he will be out of the squad for the Ireland Test and potentially the Ashes. 6 months ago, Ben Foakes, after the Ashes debacle was cemented as the keeper thanks to his incredible skill with the gloves. A freak injury to Jonny Bairstow, and a rich vein of form from Harry Brook, who plays exactly how Ben Stokes wants him and his side to play, has left England struggling with their selection.

Harry Brook, with his returns in Pakistan made himself undroppable. He came in as a replacement for Jonny Bairstow, the one who kicked off Bazball, and started England’s resurgence. From his century in Sydney, during that disappointing Ashes, to the English summer which had Jonny Bairstow go crazy with five centuries in the year, Jonny Bairstow went from a player who looked doubtful for the longest format to one who can not be left out.

It is a harsh call with Foakes doing so well in the County Championship, and considering his form for England too. The selectors though were left with a fair bit to think. Barring Ben Foakes, the only open slot potentially could have been the opening spot with Zak Crawley out of form. Who could move up though? Jonny Bairstow does open in white-ball cricket, but asking him to do the same, in England, against the moving ball would be asking for trouble.

Throughout his career, he was shuffled around a fair bit and that is what led to Bairstow moving in and out of the side for a while after 2019. Additionally, moving the batter who started the resurgence to the toughest position in the line-up would not have been a very fair move. Ben Stokes was another option, but in the end, England did not go that way, given the fact that Stokes already has a lot on his hands with captaincy, holding the middle-order and responsibilities as the fourth pacer keeping him busy.

Another option was moving Ollie Pope up, but given that he too has just moved to number three, another change in position may have been too much for the youngster, leading to the selectors going back to Bairstow as keeper.

Bairstow last kept for England back in 2019, and did a fair job with the gloves. He had his best year in Test Cricket back in 2016, finishing with the then highest tally for Test runs by an English batter in a calendar year. All his runs back then came at number seven while he had the gloves. His career though took another up turn last year as the beast was unlocked by the new management, who gave him the license to play in his natural, aggressive manner. He fit in perfectly with the Stokes-McCullum vision, and with Brook settled at five it only made sense to give Bairstow the gloves.

While Ben Foakes goes out, Stokes has mentioned that he remains their number one keeper. He is likely to comeback on tours to the subcontinent, where his glovework has been exceptional. As a batter too, despite not playing as aggressively as England may have wanted, he did a fair job over the last twelve months, providing some vital contributions. He looked settled for the Ashes, but for now, Ben Foakes is left waiting again.

There is no doubt that Ben Foakes will be taken aback by this selection. As a gloveman though he remains one of the best in the country, and England will be hoping he comes back strongly, as he finds himself waiting on the sidelines once more.