ASHES PREVIEW

The 2023 Ashes Series is now in full swing. The longest-standing rivalry in cricket returns this summer, with England and Australia battling it out over the iconic ashes trophy (urn). Here is what to expect from both sides as well as some predictions.

England's revolutionary style of test cricket 'Bazball' under Maverick Captain Ben Stokes and new coach Brendon McCullum will make its first ashes appearance In their ashes 'warmup' fixture against Ireland, England were composed and ruthless, brushing the Irish team aside with relative ease, the highlights being a sensational double hundred from Ollie Pope. England have new batting prospects in Harry Brook and Ben Duckett, looking to make their mark on this iconic fixture, as well as a re-energised Broad and Anderson, playing in what is highly likely to be their last ashes on home soil.

However, it is not all high for England at the moment Whilst in the spotlight, opener Zach Crawley did manage to make a shaky 56 in the test against Ireland, but this included 15 runs off the inside edge, something which is unacceptable against a star-studded Australian pace bowling attack, looking to target him as a potential weak link in the England side Furthermore, Ireland scored 362 runs in the second test, raising concerns about the ruthlessness of England's fastbowling attack Finally, in light of Jack Leach withdrawing from the England squad for Injury, retired all-rounder Moeen Ali has been recalled back into the England squad, to provide relief and rest for the likes of Robinson, Anderson, and Broad

By Jamie Gordon

Attention now turns to the Australian side who are off the back of winning the world test championship, setting 469 in the first innings, including a magnificent hundred from Travis's head, playing freely and with great intent and aggression, as well as a gritty hundred from Steve Smith, from 229 balls Then to rub salt into the wounds, the Australian pace attack dominated India in the second and fourth innings, securing a well-deserved victory in the World Test Championship for Australia Opener David Warner has forced himself back into the Australian side, but will face something of a nemesis in Stuart Broad in the first test; Broad removed Warner from the crease seven times in the 2019 Ashes Series at the cost of just 35 runs. interestingly, Australia are yet to win an ashes on English soil since 2001, losing four straight series between 2005 and 2015, before drawing in 2019. However, given the Australian team's dominance in the World Test Championship on English soil, this year looks increasingly promising that Australia could end their losing streak in England

Predictions and Timings.

June

16-20 1st Test, Edgbaston (11:00 BST)Edgbaston is a pitch where the bowlers often have the upper hand. The record suggests that Batsmen will struggle to score runs freely, and also struggle to chase down Totals. Spin bowlers will come into their own in the first test, so look out for Nathan Lyon and Moeen Ali. I think that, weather permitting, England's aggressive 'Bazball' will out, and in a low-scoring match, with the support of the crowd, England will make it 1-0 in the series

July

6-10 3rd Test, Headingly (11:00 BST)- The wicket at Headingly massively favours batsmen, and with batsmen like Smith, Head and Warner having found a rhythm in the series so far, Australia will set a big total. However, Brook, Root, Duckett, Bairstow and Stokes will also look to capitalise on this batters' wicket. I predict big totals from both sides, and the victory to be decided by fine margins England's record at Headingly has been exceptional in the last five years, and I predict cricket coming out on top, making it 1-1 in the series with a draw

28-2 July 2nd Test, Lord's (11:00 BST)- Lords is a notoriously well-balanced pitch, with aspects suiting both seam and spin, as well as batting. I think that whoever wins the toss at Lords will win the test match Furthermore, it must be taken into account that in the last four years, England have only won four test matches here, a 50% win rate, so the Australian team will look to capitalise and equal the series I think that Australia will win this match, with their bowling lineup shining through, as Lords has been fairly low-scoring this domestic season so far. The series is level at 1-1

19-23 4th Test, Emirates Old Trafford (11:00 BST)- The Old Trafford pitch is another wicket that favours batting, so, similarly to Headingly, I predict a highscoring test match, defined by fine margins, and again similarly to Headingly, England have a strong win record there in the past five years, losing only one test to Australia in 2019 However, I predict that Australia's batting line-up will be too much for England in this test match, and Australia will advance the series 1-2.

27-31 5th Test, The Kia Oval (11:00 BST)- I hate to disappoint many England fans, but you cannot knock Australia's recent success at the Oval. The Oval traditionally favours batsmen massively, whilst also giving turns for spin bowlers. I predict another high-scoring game, with Australia's bowling attack coming out on top, as well as their batsmen setting high totals, dominating England, to win the series 3-2 and retain the urn.