Ashes 2023: Ben Stokes Wants Flat And Fast Pitches Against Australia

England National Cricket Team Test captain Ben Stokes wants flat and fast pitches for the upcoming Ashes 2023 against Australia.

The iconic 5-match Test series will begin on June 16th in Edgbaston, United Kingdom, and will see Australia defend the urn for the fourth time in a row.

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The Aussies thrashed their English counterparts when Ashes last took place in Australia in 2021/22, winning the series 4-0. In fact, England have not won the Ashes since at home in 2015.

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In a recent interview with Sky Sports, Ben Stokes revealed that he and the team’s supporting staff have informed the pitch curators about the kind of pitches England wants.

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“We’ve been clear with the ground staff what type of wickets we want and they have been responsive. We want flat, fast wickets. We want to score quickly. If that brings [Australia’s] guys in, they will be happy. I’m smiling, because I’m looking forward to it,” he said.

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England under their head coach Brendon McCullum has been playing what is called the ‘Bazball’ style of cricket. In essence, it means that the batters attack more. Coupled with the players with the ability to score quickly, the team puts up high scores. Doing so quickly as to ensure results in almost every game.

Ben Stokes has a playing XI in mind for the first Ashes Test

Despite currently plying his trade for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2023, Ben Stokes already has an eye on the upcoming Ashes tour.

Considered the biggest bilateral series in both nations, the Ashes are usually more than just about winning and losing. So the captains usually focus hard on the series.

In the same Sky Sports interview, Ben Stokes revealed that, although the first Test against Australia is over 2 months away, he already has a playing XI in mind. But he will have to keep the pitch in mind when picking the team.

“I think I know what the starting XI is going to be, there or thereabouts… Having the option to bowl above 90mph, any captain wants that. [But] when it comes to that first Test I will be making sure I pick the best team for that first game,” he told.

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Ben Stokes will hope to bring the glory of Ashes back to England, winning the series and the urn for the first time since 2015.

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