Ashes 2023 | England Announce Playing XI For First Test Against Australia
England Cricket Team [Image- Twitter]
England have named their playing XI for their Ashes series opener, which will take place at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground between June 16-20.
The top-6 pick themselves, with Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley opening the innings, followed by Ollie Pope at 3, Joe Root at 4, and skipper Ben Stokes at 5.
Jonny Bairstow will keep wickets while Harry Brook will slot in the middle order.
England have decided to pick spin-bowling all-rounder Moeen Ali for the opening Test.
Ali was recently drafted into the squad following an injury to Jack Leach. The home side could go with seam-bowling all-rounder Chris Woakes, but they have decided to persist with Ali.
Regarding fast bowling personnel, James Anderson and Ollie Robinson return to the playing Xi after missing the one-off Test against Ireland.
England have gone with the experienced Stuart Broad as their 3rd seamer, resisting the temptation to pick tearaway pacer, Mark Wood.
Broad has a brilliant record against Australia in the UK, especially against David Warner, who became his bunny during the 2019 summer.
It will be interesting to see how Stokes manages his bowling resources given the pitch in Birmingham is expected to be fast and flat.
The Ashes kicks off in Birmingham from June 16.
England's Playing XI for the 1st Ashes Test:
Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Ben Stokes (c), Harry Brook, Jonny Bairstow (WK), Moeen Ali, Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson, James Anderson
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