Ashes 2023 to be brought forward in favour of The Hundred

Pat Cummins with the urn in January 2022

One of cricket’s fiercest rivalries is set to resume next year, with an Australian battalion set to tour England for their Ashes defense. As it turns out, the mega-event is likely to be postponed due to a cramped England schedule.

Ashes 2023 will not feature a Test in August

As per a report in the Daily Mail, the 2023 Ashes series is set to be moved forward. For the time in series’ history, an Ashes hosted by England will not feature a Test match in August.

The report indicates that the decision to move the series forward was made to accommodate as many players for the 2023 edition of England’s domestic competition, The Hundred.

England’s top Test stars Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow have already opted out of this year’s The Hundred due to a hectic home season. Quite recently, the Three Lions hosted New Zealand and India in four back-to-back Tests and will soon be playing another three matches against the visiting South Africans.

The report added that future Ashes series in England might have to make similar scheduling adjustments in order to provide room for ECB’s 100-ball tournament.

Australian players pose with Ashes 2021-22 trophy

Australia, under Pat Cummins’ leadership, walloped England 4-0 earlier this year to claim the 2021-22 edition of the Ashes. Following the defeat, then English skipper Joe Root stepped down from captaincy to make way for Ben Stokes.

Notably, the upcoming series will also constitute matches in the 2023-2025 cycle.

Australia celebrate 4-0 Ashes triumph in Hobart

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