Ashes 2023: England vs Australia, 1st Test – Dafanews Match Preview

The oldest cricket rivalry will begin with England taking on Australia in the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston, Birmingham from June 16 onwards. England will look to retain the urn in their own conditions whereas Australia will be looking to savor Ashes success in the English conditions for the first time since 2001.

We look at the current form, head-to-head, players to look out for, and squads of both teams in our match preview.

Current form for Australia: W D W L L

Australia will enter the Ashes with high confidence after winning the WTC Final. The Aussies have also got acclimatized to the English conditions and they will be looking to replicate the same success against England. The Pat Cummins-led team had come up with a collective effort against India and they will aim to do the same against England.

Current form for England: W L W W W

England has ticked the right boxes as a unit with their ‘Bazball’ strategy. The aggressive approach of the batters has worked wonders for the team and Ben Stokes will look to guide his team on the right path. England pacers will hold the key but they will miss the services of Jack Leach.

Head to Head: Matches: 356, Won by England: 110, Won by Australia: 150, Drawn: 96.

Players to look out for: Scott Boland, Pat Cummins, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Travis Head, and Nathan Lyon will be the crucial players for Australia.

Ben Stokes, Joe Root, James Anderson, Ollie Pope, Stuart Broad and Harry Brook will be the main players for England.

England Ashes Squad 2023

Confirmed squad for 1st Test and 2nd Test.

Ben Stokes (captain), Ollie Pope (vice-captain), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Matthew Potts, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.

Australia Ashes Squad 2023

Confirmed squad for 1st Test and 2nd Test.

Pat Cummins (captain), Steve Smith (vice-captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Todd Murphy, Matthew Renshaw, Mitchell Starc, David Warner.