The Ben Stokes-led side would be eager to assert their dominance against Ireland in a 4 day test match at Lord’s on Thursday (*Thursday) followed by the marquee Ashes 2023 against their arch-rivals Australia, which are going to commence from the 16th of June. Skipper Ben Stokes can’t afford to take Ireland lightly, as last time in 2019, they had given a reality check to England’s batters.
All eyes would be on Jonny Bairstow who is making a return to competitive cricket after a freak injury on the golf curse in August 2022. The management have taken a bold step by dropping the in form wicket-keeper Ben Foakes who is quite brilliant behind the wicket.
I have always been a huge advocate of Test format- Ben Stokes
Ben Stokes was having an interaction with the reporters ahead of the match. Ben Stokes was quite optimistic that Test Cricket would exist and thrive even in the changing landscape of cricket where we are witnessing a lot of franchise cricket.
“I have always been a huge advocate of the Test format. The whole landscape and the whole game of cricket is literally just changing in front of everyone’s eyes so quickly,” said Ben Stokes.
“Look at what T20 has done for the game in general, the amount of attraction it’s brought new fans, new players, it’s brought into playing cricket regardless of the format and also what T20 has been able to bring in terms of Test cricket. So I don’t see a world where T20 and Tests are aren’t being played in the future,” he added.
Dynamic Duo: Stokes and McCullum’s Tactical Brilliance has Propel England to Multiple Victories
England’s bold and audacious ‘Bazball’ approach has catapulted Test Cricket into the limelight over the past year. With an impressive record of 10 victories in their last 12 matches since the dynamic duo of Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum assumed leadership last May, all eyes will be on England as they prepare for a summer where the stakes reach unprecedented heights.
England has been playing fantastic Test matches, and a testament to their unconventional style was their phenomenal performance in Rawalpindi, where they blazed at a rate of 5.50 runs per over, amassing a staggering 506 runs for the loss of only four wickets on the first day, ultimately securing a resounding 3-0 series victory against Pakistan.
Now, the spotlight will be firmly fixed on England and Australia this summer as they prepare to clash, vying for triumph in the historic Ashes series.