England Announces Playing XI for First Ashes 2023 Test; Micheal Atherton Sparks Controversy Over Moeen Ali

Ashes 2023: English Cricket Board announced England’s playing XI for their first test match against Australia. The first match of Ashes 2023 will be played in Edgbaston and will kick off the Third World Test Championship cycle. 

It was not a big-brainer for Stokes and Brendon McCullum, as they only had one tough choice. And in the end, they went with the choice that got them the most wickets in the last World Test Championship cycle. 

But former English Captain and legend Micheal Atherton questioned the selection of Moeen Ali in the playing XI. Moeen Ali will be making his return to the test side for the first time after September 2021.

'I Wouldn’t Have Picked Moeen Ali' - Micheal Atherton

Former England Captain Micheal Atherton said he would not have picked Moeen Ali for the starting XI in the first test. He further stated that Moeen had not played test cricket since 2021 and that the selection was amazing.

Atherton was excited about the first test and clarified that he would have picked a special spinner like Liam Dawson as Jack Leach’s replacement. He further wished Moeen Ali all the best for the upcoming series.

Broad Picked Over Wood

Many people speculated that with Jofra Archer and Ollie Stone out due to injury, Mark Wood will be given a chance to play in the first test because of his raw pace. But the duo of McCullum and Stokes decided to go with Broad.

Broad made Warner’s life hell in the last Ashes, and his record against Australia in England is nothing phenomenal. Broad has taken 131 wickets against Australia in 64 innings with an average of 29.05. 

This record makes him the biggest threat Australia faces in Ashes 2023. The attack of James Anderson, Stuart Broad, and Ollie Robinson will look to terrorize one of the best batting sides in recent memory.

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England’s Playing XI

The English Cricket team is entering a new era under Brendon McCullum and his famous Bazball. The team was in a transition period in the last WTC cycle and would like to reach the final this time. 

England’s Playing XI: Ben Duckett, Jack Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes(C), Jonathan Bairstow(WK), Moeen Ali, Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson, James Anderson.

Must Read: ICC announces full schedule of WTC 3

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