14 June 2023 , 19:28
896
0
This year's men's Ashes series starts in just two days time, as Ben Stokes and England welcome rivals Australia to Edgbaston.
England are desperate to end their eight-year wait to win the Ashes and should be confident after winning 11 of Stokes' 14 games as captain. The hosts have achieved staggering success in the last 12 months after adopting an aggressive brand of cricket.
Yet Australia will be no pushovers. This year's touring party is arguably the strongest since the days of Glenn McGrath, Ricky Ponting and the late, great Shane Warne two decades ago. The Aussies are also keen to end a 22-year wait to win a Test series in England.
Both sets of players trained at Edgbaston on Wednesday and Mirror Sport have taken a close look at how they got on. Here is what we found out...
Anderson fully fit
England's lead bowler James Anderson suffered a mild groin injury playing for Lancashire a month ago, leaving his fitness for the Ashes in doubt. The 40-year-old swinger was rested for England's most recent Test, a thumping 10-wicket win against Ireland.
Ballance set to make Test return for Zimbabwe after Yorkshire racism scandal
Stokes is keen to have Anderson available after the veteran, who turns 41 next month, limped out of the 2019 Ashes series after just four overs. Anderson has remained confident he will be fit to face the Aussies and is part of England's XI for the first Test.
The golden oldie was spotted bowling to his team-mates in the nets on Wednesday and looks in good nick, getting plenty of swing in stonking hot conditions. Australia's batters, including the stubbornly brilliant Steve Smith, will not be looking forward to facing him.
Smith's injury worry
Steve Smith was in some discomfort after being struck on the finger in the nets (Getty Images)Who do you think will win the Ashes? Let us know in the comments below!
Speaking of Smith, Australia's talismanic batter looked in some discomfort after being hit on the finger during Wednesday's net session. While the injury will not keep him out the first Test, seeing him in some pain might just give England fans a glimmer of hope.
Smith averages more than 60 with the bat in Tests in England and has scored four centuries in his last five Tests on British soil, including one against India at The Oval earlier this month. The 34-year-old is also determined to finally win a Test series in England.
Smith told reporters: "Ashes series are what you are judged on, the big series that you want to do well in... It's certainly something I have wanted to tick off my bucket list. I know it's the same for a lot of the other boys in the room."
Stokes in the mood
Ben Stokes copied Jack Grealish's Treble-winning celebration (Getty Images)England's new aggressive style is known as 'Bazball', named after their Kiwi coach Brendon McCullum. Yet Stokes is arguably the main architect of the philosophy, with the skipper wanting his players to fearlessly bat their opponents into submission.
In a video filmed by journalist George Dobell of The Cricketer, Stokes is seen pummelling helpless England bowler Matthew Potts in the nets. Potts had no choice but to duck down with his hands on his head, and the ball thankfully didn't hit him.
Stokes is bowling
Stokes is ready to bowl at Edgbaston (Getty Images)England's biggest injury worry of the series is Stokes, who has been nursing a knee issue for some time. The England skipper insists he's fit enough to play the full series, but images of him wincing in pain and heavy strapping around his knee has left fans concerned.
Stokes has relieved some of those fears by bowling in the nets on Tuesday and Wednesday. He looks ready to go for the first Test, but it remains to be seen whether he will get through the entire series. His long-term fitness is also a serious concern for England.
Tom Curran takes break from red-ball cricket 'for body and mental health'
Knee injury aside, Stokes seems in good sprits ahead of the Edgbaston clash. He shared a picture of himself copying Jack Grealish's Treble-inspired celebration on Instagram after Wednesday's training session. Grealish replied with a laughing emoji: "Love to see it."
Broad ready for action
Stuart Broad was picked ahead of Mark Wood for the first Test (PA)With Anderson and fellow seamer Ollie Robinson fit again, there were question marks over whether Stuart Broad would play at Edgbaston. Broad and Anderson are not expected to feature in all five Tests due the Ashes being played in a tight six-week time slot.
Yet the iconic duo, as well as Robinson, have been given the nod to lead England's pace attack. Despite a summer-ending injury to Jofra Archer, Stokes has plenty of seamers to choose from - including Potts, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood and Josh Tongue.
Wood, England's quickest bowler, was in contention to play at Edgbaston, but he must wait for his chance. Broad's inclusion will excite fans, as he is set to rekindle his rivalry with Aussie opener David Warner. Broad got Warner out SEVEN times during the 2019 Ashes.