charge of england Ashes 2023 began with Zak Crawley hitting a four off the very first ball in the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston, Birmingham. England host Australia in the biggest Test rivalry as World Test Championship 3 begins. The home side opted to bat first and while England had already made sure to continue with their ‘buzzball’ approach, Crawley displayed it with the very first ball.
After asking to bowl first, Pat Cummins Started proceedings for his team from over the wicket. As the bowlers usually do, Cummins tempted Crawley to drive the ball outside off and find the edge. The England opener welcomed the opportunity with both hands and smashed a cover drive through the fence to send the home crowd roaring. There was also a special reaction from England captain Ben Stokes on this.
Watch the video here:
England had previously made it clear their intention to stick with their famous ‘baseball’ approach. “We know how much of a threat Australia pose no matter who they’re playing against, they’re a very good team but we found some that works and has been successful.”
“With the opposition it doesn’t change. Nothing’s going to change because we’ve had incredible success with it. If we want to change anything from the last 12 months as we find ourselves in an Ashes series, then anything from the last 12 months.” The months would have been completely in vain,” he said.
England’s playing XI:
Ben Duckett, Zack Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe RootHarry Brook, Ben Stokes (C), Johnny Bairstow (Week), moeen aliStuart Broad, Ollie Robinson, James Anderson
Australia’s playing XI:
David Warner, Usman KhawajaMarnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Nathan LyonJosh Hazlewood, Scott Boland