The English Red-Ball Captain Ben Stokes is all fired up for the upcoming Australia tour of England, popularly known as the Ashes. The Batting All-Rounder is down to lay the game plan for the upcoming Test Tour. Ashes are one of the biggest cricket rivalries and have fans even from overseas.
Table of Contents
The Ashes Details
Stokes wants to add the threat of pace to this fiery rivalry to make the English win. England won 10 of 12 Test Matches when Australia visited England. The Ashes are scheduled from 16th June to 31st July 2023. The series is said to kickstart the World Test Championship (2023-2025).
Australia is the defending champions of the series as they sealed a clean victory of 4-0 in the Ashes 2021-22.
Ben Stoke’s Game Plan
Stokes is looking forward to having a game plan in mind months before the series begins. He was quoted, “I think I know what the starting XI is going to be, there or thereabouts,”. This statement indicates that the Playing XI for the Test Series has already been decided, and the players are already a part of the Captain’s plan.
Ben also claimed that the English team has already made arrangements with the ground staff regarding the type of pitches and wickets they wish to have. Ben states that he and the team management wants flat and fast wickets.
Jofra Archer
Ben Stokes is looking to add more pacers to the squad, and Jofra Archer seems fit to add a crucial role for his home team. The Fast-pace bowler has kept himself away from cricket lately due to a series of injuries. He could manage to play only one match for the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League as his injuries still concern the team management.
READ MORE IPL 2023: Big Blow to CSK as Ben Stokes Doubtful For MI vs CSK due to Knee Injury
James Anderson and Stuart Broad
James Anderson and Stuart Broad have also caused a lot of damage to the Australian batting line-up during the Ashes. Hence, they are expected to be back in the team, following Ben’s desire for pacers in the team squad. “Jimmy and Broad had been so protective over their economy rates, but now they have seen a different side to it,” Stokes said
Stokes has faced a setback as he injured his left knee post the practice session with Chennai Super Kings, and despite the bummer, he strives to get back to the field for the IPL and his home team.