Last Updated on 2 years by Charbel Coorey
Cricket News: Ashes 2023 – What kind of pitches will England produce? | England bowlers call for more seam-friendly pitches
England’s style of cricket under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, which has served the team so well over the past year, was seen as their biggest strength heading into the highly anticipated 2023 Ashes series.
The hosts displayed more of the same positivity at Edgbaston, scoring at 4.62 per over against Australia’s capable attack. The relatively flat surface – the kind Ben Stokes called for earlier in the year – enabled England to play freely, but they ultimately fell short in a classic Test match.
England seamers Anderson and Robinson call for more seamer-friendly pitches in the Ashes
In the fallout, two of England’s seamers have called for more assistance from the surfaces. Legend James Anderson, who made his Test debut way back in 2003, has enjoyed a remarkable run of form since turning 35. However, the seamer was unable to make a big impact in the Edgbaston Test, telling The Telegraph of his discontent at the slow, docile pitch.
“It’s a long series and hopefully I can contribute at some point,” he said. “But if all the pitches are like that, I’m done in the Ashes series.”
“That pitch was like kryptonite for me. There was not much swing, no seam movement, no bounce and no pace. I’ve tried over the years to hone my skills so I can bowl in any conditions but everything I tried made no difference. I felt like I was fighting an uphill battle.”
Fellow seamer Ollie Robinson also called for pitches with more movement. In his column for wisden.com, Robinson said a seaming pitch would suit England more.
“We were surprised by how defensive Australia were and how unwilling they were to go toe-to-toe with us. Obviously it’s worked for them this Test match,” he said.
“But, we feel that with the way they’re playing at the moment, a pitch with a bit more movement would benefit us hugely.”
England’s conundrum
There is no doubt Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes have sparked a sharp turnaround. England won just one of their previous 17 Tests before they took over, with the series defeat in West Indies the final straw.
However, their positive style of play has been aided by excellent batting surfaces both home and abroad. The pitches held true right throughout their home season in 2022, where they knocked off New Zealand thrice and India once. They were also able to score rapidly on Pakistani highways in an impressive 3-0 series win.
Should England now turn towards seam-friendly pitches, it will go against Stokes’s original wishes and could put their batting under the microscope. The lineup prides itself on driving on the up, reverse scoops and further audacious strokeplay, so it will be interesting to see how they cope on pitches with more assistance for Australia’s bowlers.
However, Australia’s batsmen will surely be tested by England’s skillful seam attack. It is another element of what is shaping up to be a riveting Ashes series.
The second Test begins at Lord’s on Wednesday 28 June.
