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Ashes 2023 AUS vs ENG 1st Test Dream11 Prediction Possible 11 Pitch Report

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Last Updated on 2 years by Charbel Coorey

Ashes 2023 AUS vs ENG 1st Test Dream11 Prediction Possible 11 Pitch Report | AUS vs ENG 1st Test 2023 Dream11 Prediction Today | Edgbaston Pitch Report

Let all the talking move to the side. It’s time for a highly anticipated Ashes series, one that could be the best of its kind since 2005. Such a call is a big one to make, but as they say, opposites attract.

It’s England’s brash, brave Bazball against the efficient machine that is Australia, the World Test Champions. Edgbaston was labelled as the ‘fortress’ pre-2019 Ashes, before Steve Smith and the Australians set down a marker at the start of that series. Indeed, the visitors will be aiming for the same in front of what will be a raucous crowd.

While both teams have their strengths, they also have key questions to answer. What England’s top three will produce is anyone’s guess, while Jack Leach’s injury creates concern as to the workload of the seam bowlers. From an Australian point of view, how proactive and brave Pat Cummins will be as captain will be key, as is Mitchell Starc’s control and effectiveness, plus the contributions of the openers.

Ashes 2023 1st Test: ENG vs AUS Possible Playing XIs

England have confirmed their XI.

England: 1. Zak Crawley, 2. Ben Duckett, 3. Ollie Pope, 4. Joe Root, 5. Harry Brook, 6. Ben Stokes (c), 7. Jonny Bairstow (wk), 8. Moeen Ali, 9. Ollie Robinson, 10. Stuart Broad, 11. James Anderson

Australia have a choice to make with two of Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland and Josh Hazlewood to make the XI. They may stick with the same team as the WTC Final.

Australia: 1. Usman Khawaja, 2. David Warner, 3. Marnus Labuschagne, 4. Steve Smith, 5. Travis Head, 6. Cameron Green, 7. Alex Carey (wk), 8. Mitchell Starc, 9. Pat Cummins (c), 10. Nathan Lyon, 11. Scott Boland

ALSO READ: 3 predictions for the 2023 Ashes series

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

England:

  • Joe Root is vital for England. He averages 60.81 in seven Tests at Edgbaston, with 669 runs including four fifties and two centuries. He smashed 142* in the run chase of 378 against India last year.
  • Harry Brook is confident coming up against the Australian attack. In seven Tests in his career so far, he has scored 818 runs at an average of 81.80 and incredible strike rate of 99.03.
  • Ben Stokes is always a factor against Australia, especially in England. He averages 40.1 against the Aussies at home. Also, the England captain is expected to bowl.
  • Jonny Bairstow completes a dangerous middle order for England. The keeper-batsman had a dream 2022, where he struck 1,061 runs at an average of 66.31 and strike rate of 76.00. This includes 106 and 114* last year against India on this ground.
  • James Anderson has taken the most wickets at Edgbaston (51) at an average of 22.62. Stuart Broad dismissed Warner seven times for 35 runs in 104 balls in the 2019 series.

Australia:

  • Steve Smith, who is coming off a superb century in the WTC Final, averages a remarkable 60.70 in 17 Tests in England. He struck twin centuries in a memorable comeback at Edgbaston in 2019.
  • In England, Smith has been dismissed just once in 282 balls by James Anderson at an average of 152. Against Broad in England, Smith averages 45.00 with 315 runs.
  • Marnus Labuschagne impressed in the 2019 Ashes. He has struck four half-centuries in five Tests in England at an overall average of 46.66.
  • Travis Head was the player of the last WTC cycle with five man of the match awards, including the final thanks to his 163. Also, he was player of the series in the 2021/22 Ashes series in Australia.
  • Pat Cummins was outstanding in 2019. He took 29 wickets in that series. Australia’s premier fast bowler also has a terrific record against Joe Root, having dismissed him eight times for 190 runs (avg. 23.8) in Tests.
  • Scott Boland could be crucial. His ability to hit the 6m length can help counter Bazball. He averages 14.57 in Tests (33 wickets), with 18 scalps coming against England at an average of 9.55.
  • Nathan Lyon has taken 12 wickets in two Tests at Edgbaston at an average of 20.75. On a pitch devoid of a grass, coupled with England’s attacking approach, Lyon could find himself in the wickets.

Other Stats and Facts

  • Head-to-head in since start of 2013: Matches 15, England 8, Australia 5, 3 drawn.
  • Steve Smith needs 53 runs to reach 9,000 in Tests. Only Allan Border, Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting have crossed this mark among Australian players.
  • Australia have the top three ranked batsmen in Tests: Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head.
  • Ollie Robinson took 7/59, 7/58, 4/29 and 1/46 in his previous two County matches last month.

Edgbaston Birmingham Pitch Report and Weather

Sweltering conditions in Egbaston and a pitch devoid of much grass makes this bat first conditions. The first two days will be hot, but there is the chance of rain over the weekend. Despite the rain, the hot weather may provide turn later in the match.

The average first innings score in the past six Tests is 322.33. The team batting first has won 66.7% of these matches.

Ashes 2023 1st Test: ENG vs AUS Dream11 Prediction Today Match 16-20 June

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.

Option 1:

Ashes 2023 AUS vs ENG 1st Test Dream11 Prediction Possible 11 | AUS vs ENG 1st Test 2023 Dream11 Prediction Today | Edgbaston Pitch Report
Ashes 2023 1st Test: ENG vs AUS Dream11 Prediction

Option 2:

Ashes 2023 AUS vs ENG 1st Test Dream11 Prediction Possible 11 | AUS vs ENG 1st Test 2023 Dream11 Prediction Today | Edgbaston Pitch Report
Ashes 2023 1st Test: ENG vs AUS Dream11 Prediction

Ashes 2023 1st Test: ENG vs AUS Match Prediction – Who will win?

What a match this promises to be. The team that bats first may hold the edge in this clash, given the success of setting a score at Edgbaston in recent years.

Charbel Coorey
Charbel Cooreyhttps://cricblog.net
Charbel is the owner & founder of cricblog.net, based in Sydney, Australia. He started the website to fulfill his love for the game of cricket. Charbel has been featured on other publications including OP India, Times of India, and The Roar, among others. He is also a keen fantasy sports player. Charbel has also had the privilege of interviewing cricketers on the CricBlog TV YouTube channel, including James Neesham, Rassie van der Dussen, Andrew Tye, Shreyas Gopal, Jaydev Unadkat and Saurabh Netravalkar: https://www.youtube.com/@cricblogtv For any story tips or questions, you can contact Charbel at charbelcoorey@cricblog.net.

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