Picture : ICC/ Twitter
The much anticipated Ashes series 2023 saw a fairytale ending 2-2 . It was a fitting result for the series that saw Test cricket at it’s best and proved why the longer format is the real cricket . Australia began brightly and looked set for white- wash when they raced to a 2-0 lead .
Aussie Skipper Pat Cummins led from the front with the ball as well as the bat . His heroics at Edgbaston First Test set the tone of the series. Cummins, who bagged four wickets in the 2nd innings for the Baggy Greens, remained unbeaten on 44 to seal Australia’s famous win at Edgbaston by two wickets . Throwing off his helmet, Cummins tossed his bat and lifted teammate Nathan Lyon after smashing a boundary to seal the Ashes opener in Birmingham. Australia successfully chased down a challenging total of 281 to take a 1-0 lead.
But England with its new daring bold approach and buzz word “Bazball” turned it around superbly to stay in the hunt . And leaving even the purists of the game impressed.
One of the greatest Men’s #Ashes series of all time 🙌 pic.twitter.com/3qu5x7DPio
— ICC (@ICC) August 1, 2023
Skipper Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum have infused a new lease of life to English cricket the way to play Test cricket . It is risky but entertaining . How many sides in the world or skippers would muster the guts to declare on the first day of Test like Ben Stokes did at Edgbaston 393/ 8 in 78 overs ? None . This was a bold approach that stunned the cricketing world .
Led by the inspiring England Skipper Ben Stokes , who seems to reserve his best in England shirt . Stokes once again lit up the Ashes with his batting prowess . Despite his team losing the second Test at Lord’s the talismanic all- rounder smashed a ton ( 155) everyone would be proud of. It was stunning innings as he cut, pulled, drove, reverse flicked with ease to leave the crowd awestruck. England have found a true successor to the Iconic Ian Terence Botham whose 1981 ashes heroics is still remembered by ardent fans. England might have lost but Stokes gave enough indication that he and his side would not give up without a fight.
England team rose to the occasion opener Zak Crawley showed his utility at the top. Classy Joe Root was in his elements . After settling down he played some gorgeous shots – cover drivers, pulls, hooks and yes even reverse flicked likes Of Josh Hazlewood with utter disdain. Harry Brook brought on the power of youth with his power strikes. Moeen Ali chipped in crucial cameos and lived up to his billing as bankable all- rounder. Jonny Bairstow whose career was in doubt after recurring injuries returned though bit sloppy behind the stumps but in front he was belligerent and wowed all with his fearless Strokeplay.
Bowlers too chipped in with Stuart Broad ended his career with a high finishing with 604 wickets in 167 Tests . For someone who was smashed a trolled for those six sixes by India’s Yuvraj Singh at 2007 T20 World Cup it was was fantastic ended to a career. Moeen Ali too said goodbye to Tests. And England will miss them in the years ahead given their immense contributions. All- rounder Chris Woakes who moves the ball both ways proved his worth as effective wicket- taking seam bowler . Mark Wood given the opportunity rocked Aussies with raw pace. The only disappointment for England will be the struggle by seasoned James Anderson right through the series for wickets. Though he has dismissed retirement talk , Anderson had clearly passed his prime. At 41 , how long can he play remains a question.
In the Third Test, Wood made history bowling the fastest over in Headingley ever since the maintaining of bowling records started.
In the match, Wood delivered a fantastic spell. In 11.4 overs, he took five wickets, giving only 34 runs at an economy rate of 2.91. He got wickets of Usman Khawaja, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Todd Murphy. Wood’s first over saw him clocking speeds of 91 mph, 93 mph, 95 mph, 93 mph, 94 mph and 93 mph. His average speed was 93.16.
While England played with new found zest and energy, Australia on the other hand appeared to have lost the plot after going 2-0 up. The injury to Nathan Lyon upset their plans. opener David Warner continued to struggle and his Test career seems to be be over . Steve Smith , Marnus Labuschagne got tons but could carry the momentum in the five – match series. Aussie batting was let down . Usman Tariq Khawaja proved his mettle at the top with the bat and played some crucial innings and anchored Aussie batting. Aussie Bowlers let it rip and their wickets tally showed . – Skipper Pat Cummins 18 , Mitchell Starc 23, Josh Hazlewood 16 .
The bowlers had a huge say in the thrilling Ashes contest 🔥
The stunning numbers behind the series 👉 https://t.co/2GAxxFqfyZ pic.twitter.com/sbiH5QaVsi
— ICC (@ICC) August 2, 2023
To be fast bowler and Skipper is no easy task but Pat Cummins would be delighted that the English summer was a rewarding one. Though he would have liked to win the series . Nevertheless – WTC final win over India and Ashes in the bag . Cummins would be mighty pleased when he looks back.
The #Ashes retained 🇦🇺⚱️ pic.twitter.com/0Rg5NK0Emp
— ICC (@ICC) August 1, 2023
So in a sense the series saw a fascinating contest between the arch- rivals and will certainly go down as of the best in recent times . The huge crowd at venues and the exhilarating cricket in the five – Tests Ashes series have driven home a point – T20cricket may be the hot right now but Test cricket – the real cricket is very much alive and not fading away as some pundits fear. And for this one has to applaud Ben Stokes and Pat Cummins for their exemplary leadership and positive intent.
