Birmingham:Still riding the high on their ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2019
win, England are set for the next big event of their summer: the Ashes against Australia
here at Edgbaston on Thursday.
The first Ashes Test marks the start of the ICC World Test Championship, so there will
be more than the urn at stake. Both teams go into the Test high on confidence: England,
the ODI champions, bounced back strongly after an opening day set-back in the one-off
Test against Ireland. Australia are full strength, hungry and well prepared.
Given England's top-order woes, Joe Root, the captain, is likely to move up a spot to bat
at No.3, with Joe Denly set to come in at No.4. The availability of Jofra Archer, who could
get his maiden Test cap, is the one fitness concern for the hosts.
Australia opener David Warner was hit in the nets but is expected to be fit for the match.
Justin Langer, the coach, has indicated that Usman Khawaja and James Pattinson will be
in the XI. Australia will have to choose between the returning Cameron Bancroft and Marcus
Harris as Warner's opening partner.
Australia hold the Ashes, having handed England a 4-0 drubbing at home in early 2018.
But they have not won the series in England since 2001, when Steve Waugh's side razed
all in their path. In 2015, they lost the series 3-2, with Stuart Broad setting up an
unassailable lead in the fourth Test by bowling out Australia for 60 in the first innings at
Trent Bridge.
The last meeting between the sides was in the World Cup semi-final, when England
bowled Australia out for 223 and eased to an emphatic eight-wicket win.
Ben Stokes, England all-rounder said, "Both teams are desperate to win, both sets of
players are desperate to perform because Ashes series are where you get scrutinised and
criticised more, or praised if you do well."
Justin Langer, Australia coach said "I honestly think, it's not about this Edgbaston Test
match, it's about how we endure right through a five-Test match series. It's going to be a
tough series no doubt, but how we endure that will probably be the team who wins the
Ashes."(UNI)
