BAZBALL meets the World Test Champions as the 2023 Men’s Ashes series gets underway on Friday night. The first of five Tests takes place at Edgbaston, one of the more intimidating venues in England – unless you are Tim Paine. We take you through all you need to know ahead of the first ball on day one.

NEED TO KNOW

Watch: Channel Nine, Fox Cricket, Kayo Sports
Listen: ABC Grandstand, SEN
Follow: CA Live app

SERIES SCHEDULE

1st Test: Edgbaston | Friday June 16 – Tuesday June 20
2nd Test: Lord’s | Wednesday June 28 – Sunday July 2
3rd Test: Headingley | Thursday July 6 – Monday July 10
4th Test: Old Trafford | Wednesday July 19 – Sunday July 23
5th Test: The Oval | Thursday July 27 – Monday July 31

SQUADS

AUSTRALIA:

Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Todd Murphy, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc, David Warner

ENGLAND:

Ben Stokes (c), James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood

TEAM NEWS

England has already named its XI for the Edgbaston opener, bringing together an experienced pace duo to kick off the series. Stuart Broad gets the nod ahead of Mark Wood, partnering Jimmy Anderson and Ollie Robinson, while Moeen Ali replaces Jack Leach as a makeshift primary spinner.

Jonny Bairstow is an ominous figure at number seven as he takes the gloves, with Ali’s position at eight rounding out a deep batting lineup. Skipper Ben Stokes is the lead allrounder at six, with Joe Root England’s standout batter at the number four pivot.

That leaves Ollie Pope to assume first drop duties below aggressive opening pair Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett. Watch for fireworks from firebrand batter Harry Brook in the middle order, too, especially given he has talked a big game in the lead-up.

Australia will finalise and announce its side at the toss, though just about all of the debate surrounds who will accompany skipper Pat Cummins and offie Nathan Lyon in the bowling unit. The remainder of the side seems rather settled, for now.

It would be hard to drop Scott Boland after his feats in the World Test Championship final, though Josh Hazlewood is said to be fit and raring to go. Mitchell Starc would also be difficult to omit given his point of difference as a left-armer with serious pace, and the ability to aide Lyon at one end.

Expect David Warner and Usman Khawaja to open the batting with Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, and Travis Head propping up the remaining order. Cameron Green is the allrounder at six before gloveman Alex Carey at seven, leaving the rest of the XI to be confirmed later tonight.

ENGLAND 1st TEST XI:

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

PLAYERS TO WATCH

AUSTRALIA: Travis Head

Head is one of the form batters in world cricket at the moment, arguably across all formats. He has risen to number three in the Test rankings and is fresh off a big century in the World Test Championship final. Smith and Labuschagne have the history in England, as does Warner at the other end of the scale, but Head is a potent figure at number five who could match the hosts’ aggression.

ENGLAND: Ben Stokes

Much has been made of whether Stokes will take on a significant bowling load this series, and if he does, he has potential to be a genuine x-factor. Australia will already be familiar with his batting exploits and as the perfect embodiment of Brendon McCullum’s Bazball, he is arguably the most likely threat to the visitors’ Ashes throne.

PREDICTION

Bazball will eliminate the chance of draws and produce some epic moments, but ultimate fall short against a genuine Test powerhouse. Australia 3-2.