Ashes 2023: England announce 16-member squad for first two Test against Australia: The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has finally announced its 16-member squad for the first two test matches against Australia for the upcoming Ashes 2023. The cricket board has named the same test squad that faced Ireland in the one-off test recently.
The Men’s Ashes 2023 between England and Australia is scheduled to begin on June 16 in Edgbaston, Birmingham. The five-match series will then advance to Lord’s London followed by a game in Leeds, Manchester and Kennington Oval respectively.
The 16-member England squad for the first two tests of the Ashes 2023 include Josh Tongue, who was impressive in his debut game against Ireland. Tongue picked three wickets on day two of the contest and helped England close in on a comprehensive win at Lord’s.
It is important to note that England’s only match preparation before Ashes 2023 is with Ireland, the game which is likely to be wrapped up anytime soon. England has reduced Ireland to 356/8 in the second innings after notching up a massive 524 runs in the first innings.
Josh Tongue was drafted into the England side as fitness concerns in Ollie Robinson and James Anderson surfaced. The two senior pacers have been rested for the ongoing one-off Ireland test but will be available for selection against Australia in the Ashes 2023.
The 16-man strong English side will be led by all-rounder Ben Stokes, who has made a strong test portfolio for himself after winning 10 of his previous 12 matches. Stokes will be leading England in the Ashes for the first time in his career.
Wicketkeeping duties will be assumed by Jonny Bairstow, who has recovered from a freak leg fracture. Bairstow missed the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia and England’s test leg against Pakistan and New Zealand due to the injury.
The pace battery comprising James Anderson, Stuart Broad, and Ollie Robinson will once again be in action. Besides, the three aforementioned pacers, England will also have the services of Chris Woakes, Mark Wood and Josh Tongue.
Down below is England’s 16-member strong squad for Ashes 2023 against Australia.
England Ashes 2023 Squad
Ben Stokes (c), Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, Joe Root, Stuart Broad, Matthew Potts, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Jack Leach, Chris Woakes, Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue, James Anderson, Mark Wood, Daniel Lawrence.
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For more details head to ECB’s official website.