Ashes England Playing XI – Ashes 2021 LIVE: What comes as a much-needed confidence booster for England, allrounder Ben Stokes is all set to be drafted in England Playing XI. The 2019 Headingley hero Stokes will return after a four-month break from cricket owing to mental health issues and an operation on the left index finger. Indications are clear that Stokes will be in England’s XI for the opening test in Brisbane. Follow Ashes 2021 Live updates on InsideSport.IN
Ashes 2021: Australia Test skipper Pat Cummins reveals Playing XI for 1st Test, M Starc gets a place
Ashes England Playing XI: The Ashes starts on Wednesday, Ben Stokes to return in England XI for Gabba Test: Follow Ashes live updates
According to England Coach Chris Silverwood, England’s talisman will return for the first time since July to take the fight to an Australian side who he insists are ‘still hurting’ from Stokes’ super-human efforts.
“He has definitely not told me any different and, from the noises I’m hearing, I should imagine he’ll be telling me he’s ready,” Silverwood said as quoted by The Guardian.
One word to describe @patcummins30‘s overriding emotion: excited!
The Aussie captain revealed our starting XI for the first Vodafone #Ashes Test, which kicks off at the Gabba on Wednesday 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/QMhkzkNPdT
— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) December 6, 2021
“I think it is massive, really. We felt a lift when his name came back into the hat for being on tour. We love having him around, not just from this cricket point of view. He is lively around the dressing room and a leader in his own right. People listen to him, he has a lot of things to share. And from a cricketing point of view, we’ve seen how devastating he is with bat and ball at times,” he added.
Ashes England Playing XI: Why Ben Stokes is important for England?
A rare number of players of England players have tasted success against Australia in their backyard. Stokes had announced his arrival in Tests with a century at Perth and relishes the battle between the two teams.
- In the last three years, Ben Stokes averages 45 with the bat and 28 with the ball.
- He is ranked 4th in ICC’s rankings for all-rounders despite his long absence from cricket.
- His unbeaten 135 at Headingley in 2019 which helped England chase down 362 and win by one wicket remains one of the best performances of the 21st century.
- Against Australia, talisman Stokes has amassed 921 runs in 14 matches which features 3 centuries and 4 fifties. He has also scalped 34 wickets against the Aussies.
- England are yet to defeat Australia in Ashes since 2011. They have are yet to register a victory in the last 10 matches (9 losses, 1 drawn).
Earlier, Australia head coach Justin Langer had revealed that he still has nightmares about Stokes’ unbeaten 135 that helped England pull off a miraculous chase in Leeds to draw the series in their last meetings in England.
“Certainly that knock at Headingley did hurt the Australians and will still be hurting for a while to come. They know what he is capable of and they know he can take anybody down,” reckons Silverwood.
But Ben Stokes months-long hiatus doesn’t guarantee results from Game 1. The 30-year-old played just lone innings against England Lions last week where he impressed with 56-ball 42. He also bowled 10 overs and returned with a couple of wickets under his belt.
Joe Root and Chris Silverwood are taking time to decide the England Playing XI ahead of the Ashes opener. One of the biggest decisions will be to choose one among Jonny Bairstow and Ollie Pope in the middle-order.
Ashes England Playing XI – England Probable Playing XI
- Rory Burns,
- Hameed Hameed,
- Dawid Malan,
- Joe Root (capt),
- Ben Stokes,
- Jonny Bairstow/ Ollie Pope,
- Jos Buttler (wkt),
- Ollie Robinson/ Chris Woakes,
- Mark Wood,
- Stuart Broad,
- James Anderson.
- Rory Burns and Haseeb Hameed are expected to open England innings against Australia. The duo had scored a couple of half-centuries against India in the home series earlier this year.
- Dawid Malan will have to prove himself after managing just alone 50+ innings against India at home.
- Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow/ Ollie Pope and Jos Buttler make part of formidable middle-order.
- England are likely to choose between Ollie Robinson and Chris Woakes in the playing XI
- Mark Wood is favourites to join experienced Stuart Broad and James Anderson in the bowling department.
Ashes England Playing XI – England squad for Ashes tour: Joe Root (capt), James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler (wk), Zak Crawley, Haseeb Hameed, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.
Ashes 2021 Schedule
First Test: December 8-12, The Gabba
Second Test: December 16-20, Adelaide Oval
Third Test: December 26-30, MCG
Fourth Test: January 5-9, SCG
Fifth Test: January 14-18, Perth Stadium
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