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England vs Australia Ashes First Test Tips - Bazball likely to do the trick

By Sridhar Bhamidi

15 Jun 2023

Sridhar Bhamidi 15 Jun 2023

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England vs Australia Ashes First Test predictions to be played at Edgbaston in Birmingham starting on Friday afternoon, IST
England are unbeaten in 9 of their last 11 Tests played at Edgbaston
England have avoided defeat in 7 of their last 10 Tests played against Australia at this venue
Australia have failed to win 7 of their last 10 Tests in England against England
Steve Smith has scored at least 80 in 7 of his last 8 away Test innings against England
Can England's Bazball tricks keep Australia at bay?

Can Ben Stokes guide England to a winning start in the Ashes against Australia? (Getty Images)

England vs Australia Ashes First Test

The biggest rivalry in Test cricket will start a new chapter at Edgbaston in Birmingham from Friday. England and Australia will clash in the first of the five-match Ashes series starting this week.

England vs Australia Ashes First Test
Head to Head
England Form
England Team News
Australia Form
Australia Team News

England’s new aggressive approach of Bazball adds a new dimension to this rivalry. Australia may have won the World Test Championship but there are too many concerns about their batting. England retain a slight advantage and the odds on their double chance are lucrative. I am backing England on the double chance in this match. Keep a medium wager on Steve Smith and Joe Root scoring fifties.

England are unbeaten in 9 of their last 11 matches at Edgbaston (Tests)
England have lost only 3 of their last 10 matches against Australia at Edgbaston (Tests)
Australia have failed to win 12 of their last 16 away matches against England (Tests)
Australia have failed to win 7 of their last 10 away matches against all opposition (Tests)
Joe Root has scored at least 57 in 3 of his last 5 home innings against Australia (Tests)
Steve Smith has scored at least 80 in 7 of his last 8 innings against England in England (Tests)

Head to Head

There have been 356 Tests between England and Australia so far with England winning 110, losing 150 and drawing 96. The last time they played was in January 2022 when Australia won the Ashes down under with a 4-0 result.

England Form

England are coming off a four-day Test against Ireland at Lord’s that they won by 10-wickets. Although the win was comprehensive, they struggled in the second innings with the ball.

The hosts have been a reinvented side under Brendon McCullum’s coaching. The Three Lions have won 11 of their last 13 matches, losing the other two.

When it comes to Ashes at home, England have a big edge. They haven’t lost a home series to Australia since 2001, winning four and drawing one hence.

England Team News

England have announced their playing XI with Stuart Broad, James Anderson and Ollie Robinson in the XI ahead of Mark Wood. Moeen Ali makes his return to Tests after an absence of 21 months.

Australia Form

Australia are coming off a comprehensive 209-run win over India at The Oval to win the WTC Championship. With this series starting the new WTC cycle, the visitors will be geared up for a fight.

There remain concerns over their batting as David Warner’s horrors against Stuart Broad remain the talking point. Travis Head has been their best batter for some time but the lack of runs from the lower-order remains a challenge.

The visitors are the current holders of the Ashes with a 4-0 win in the most recent series down under. The Australians will be banking on breaking the Bazball with some aggressive bowling.

Australia Team News

Josh Hazlewood is fit which means one of him, Mitchell Starc or Scott Boland will miss out. That could be the only change from the WTC final team that Australia put up.

England vs Australia Ashes FAQs

Where can I watch the England vs Australia Ashes live stream?

Our live streaming calendar shows you where to watch the England vs Australia Ashes live stream.

What time does England vs Australia Ashes First Test start?

This England vs Australia Ashes First Test will be played at Edgbaston in Birmingham from June 16, Friday starting at 3:30pm IST.

Verdict

The Ashes is perhaps the biggest Test rivalry which throws the form book out of the window. Yet, England’s recent aggressive mindset gives them a fair edge.

I am backing England on the double chance market which seems reasonable. Put a small wager on Steve Smith and Joe Root scoring fifties in the first innings.