"Lack of genuine pace options" - Fans react as England announce playing XI for first 2023 Ashes Test
England have announced their playing XI for the first Ashes Test against Australia, which starts at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Friday, June 16.
Ben Stokes will continue the lead the Bazball style of cricket, with wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Bairstow set for a comeback after recovering from his leg injury, which he sustained in August last year.
Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley will open the innings for England. Ollie Pope, Joe Root, and Harry Brook form the middle order. The lower middle order comprises Stokes and Bairstow, followed by all-rounder Moeen Ali, who will make his Test comeback after 21 months.
Besides Ali, the bowling unit comprises James Anderson, Ollie Robinson, and Stuart Broad. The trio are likely to be rotated with Chris Woakes and Mark Wood throughout the five-match Test series.
Interestingly, the hosts have decided to play with one bowler short, with Stokes doubtful to bowl.
We have confirmed our XI to face Australia in the first Test... š
#Ashes | #EnglandCricket
Fans on Twitter expressed excitement to witness the return of spin all-rounder Moeen Ali but were disappointed at the absence of pacer Mark Wood. One tweeted:
"Plenty of batting but lack of genuine pace options seems problematic, especially if the pitch is flat. Wood could have been in there - at least he offers something different."
@englandcricket Plenty of batting but lack of genuine pace options seems problematic
Especially if the pitch is flat. Wood could have been in there- at least he offers something different
Here are some of the other Twitter reactions:
@englandcricket Still not sure about Moeen Ali but let's hope he proves everyone wrong. Bowling looks weak on paper though.
@englandcricket Would have played Wood for extra pace but tbf he'll probably only b able to play 2 out of 5 tests, England need to try & get/ keep Archer & Wood fit. Good side though but will struggle if playing on flat pitches. Surely naming the side early on benefits Australia... #Ashes
@englandcricket Pace attack looks great if they can actually get through the overs. Weāve got our captain that might have to bowl on 1 leg and a spinner that canāt hold an end. Hope it works but Iāve doubts with stoakesys fitness and Moeen playing.
@englandcricket No Mark Wood worries me. I know we might only get 3 tests out of him, but I'd have started with him. Let's hope we can get the ball moving
@englandcricket I think we should have gone with Wood especially at Edgbaston
@englandcricket Glad they didnāt drop Broad from the starting lineup
@englandcricket Come on Boys. Hope Anderson and Robinson are fully fit now.
@englandcricket What a relief - Zak is in the team !
@englandcricket Good to see moeen Ali is back
@englandcricket Personally wouldāve gone with Wood for his extra pace in the first test
@englandcricket Stokes will have to bowlā¦
England XI for first Ashes Test: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jonathan Bairstow, Moeen Ali, Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson, and James Anderson.
āNo question marksā ā Moeen Ali explains how Ben Stokes persuaded him to āBazballā style of cricket in Ashes
Moeen Ali recently revealed that the Bazball style of cricket under Ben Stokes was too good for him to refuse to play for England in the Ashes. He said:
"Stokesy messaged me with a question mark: 'Ashes?'. I hadn't heard the news on Leachy at the time. So, I just said 'LOL'. Then the news came through, and I had a chat with him. That was it."
He continued:
"I spoke to Stokesy about how he talks to batters. 'Look, it would be perfect for the way you play'. There are no question marks over any shots you play, which gives me license to play a few more rash shots, I guess. Even with the ball, he is more on the aggressive side. I know I go for runs, but Stokesy also knows there are some wicket-taking deliveries in between. That's all he cares about."
Ali has, so far, scalped 195 wickets and amassed 2914 runs in 64 Tests. Interestingly, both Ali and Stokes spent time in the same dugout for Champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) during IPL 2023.
Click here to check out the full England and Australia squads for Ashes 2023.