Ben Stokes is fully aware of Australia's danger, but he thinks that England has "found something that works" as well as will continue to play with a high level of risk and reward in the forthcoming Ashes series. The first Test between England and Australia will take place in the Ashes 2023 on June 16. Both sides are in excellent shape going into the momentous series, with England prevailing in 11 of their past 13 Tests and Australia having just won the 2023 World Test Championship final.
Since the advent of captain-coach team Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, England has improved in the longest version of the game. Under Ben Stokes' direction, England has adopted a daring brand of cricket that completely disregards its opponents. With the help of Stokes and manager Brendon "Baz" McCullum, England has won 11 of their previous 13 Test matches because of their daring style of play. In the opening match of the Ashes on Friday at Edgbaston, Stokes decided to rule out switching from the "Bazball" approach.
Ben Stokes spoke on the Test Match Special and the first thing he did was to rule out the Bazball approach. He said, "We know the threat that Australia pose, no matter who they are playing against, they are a very good team but we've found something that works and has been successful."
The all-rounder spoke about the approach and how they have been preparing for the last year for this series. He said, "Nothing is going to change because we've had unbelievable success with it. If we were to change anything from the last 12 months because we find ourselves in an Ashes series, then anything from the last 12 months will have been completely pointless."
Australia enters the series fresh off a stunning 209-run victory over India during the World Test Championship (WTC) final on Sunday at The Oval. Since regaining the Ashes in 2017–18, Australia has not lost the series.
Fans react to Ben Stokes' confirmation of Bazball approach for Ashes : -
Ben Stokes confirms England won't tone down the 'Bazball' approach for the Ashes. pic.twitter.com/pYkECmzcn1
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 13, 2023
This Ashes series is going to be remember as one of the biggest ashes till date. Some magic is gonna happen and I'm excited for that. Good Luck to both Aus and Eng 🙌
— Tanmoy Roy (@royt8221) June 13, 2023
They are not indecisive like Ind team
— Bruh (@iamBruh18) June 13, 2023
They have decided on a way to play and they'll stick to it no matter what
They'll lose against aus 5-0 with that approach but at least they have clarity of thought regarding their plans
4-1 in favour of England 🇬🇧
— Vikram Zaveri (@VikramZaveri3) June 13, 2023
so it's aussies bowling vs england's bazball
— Manjunath G Vastrad (@Manju101120) June 13, 2023
Full support to Australia.
— Poonam Sinha (@PoonamS16018128) June 13, 2023
Eng will win the ashes
— supremeleader9900 (@supremeleader92) June 13, 2023
Won/loss. Atleast they knw and prepared to play certain way.
— RajM (@rajum_1994) June 13, 2023
How about india ?
They make test cricket interesting
— Jaise ko taisa 🤷 (@candidtruth12) June 13, 2023
I hope they bring it because I want to see how it plays against the Aussie bowlers who are going to be a much tougher opponent.
— Gregory Walters (@CatmanForever) June 13, 2023
It'll probably still work on the pitches they serve up
— Axciem (@AxciemG) June 13, 2023
It's not going to work for sure.
— Masilan Samuel (@MasilanSamuel) June 13, 2023
Excited to see how eng going to play bazball vs india in chepauk