The 2023 Ashes gets underway on Friday with England facing the biggest test yet of their uber-aggressive approach under Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes against old rivals Australia.
England’s Test side has been rejuvenated since McCullum’s arrival as head coach and Stokes was appointed captain, winning 11 of their 13 matches in the last 12 months. The invention of ‘Bazball’ means confidence is high in the England camp as they aim to regain the Ashes from Australia, who destroyed England 4-0 in the most recent series Down Under in 2021/22.
Yet, Australia arrive for the first Test at Edgbaston having beaten India in the World Test Championship final at the Oval last week and without a series defeat in England since 2015.
