Australia vs England, 1st Ashes Test, Match Preview, Playing XI and broadcast details

THE ASHES. The very mention of this word is enough to get the cricket fan excited. This series between England and Australia has so much history, so much significance and so much importance attached to it. A series that started in 1883 has only grown in importance and stature every passing year.

Even one good performance in The Ashes can immortalize a player, and a captain’s Test match prowess is often defined by the way he has led his side in The Ashes. So, on 8th December 2021, Australia and England are all set to collide in 5 blockbuster Test matches, with the 1st rubber slated to be played at The Gabba in Brisbane.

This series will, in a sense be a change of guard as far as Australian cricket is concerned. Their skipper, Tim Paine stepped down as the captain of the Aussie side and has also taken a break from the game, and the leadership reins have been bestowed on the shoulders of Pat Cummins. And, if you want a piece of history, Pat Cummins will be the first full-time pace bowling Australian captain after more than 6 decades!

The Aussies last played a Test match more than 11 months ago, and it was at the exact same venue where the first Ashes Test will be played. In January 2021, the kangaroos were beaten by a spirited Indian side, and their ‘Gabba fortress’ was breached for the first time in more than three decades.

On the other hand, England will be pepped up by the return of their all-rounder Ben Stokes. Stokes is a match-winner in every sense of the word, and all eyes will be on him when he walks out once again on the cricket field after a lengthy break from the game.

It seems as if Joe Root can do no wrong with the willow in 2021 in the white flannels. The right-handed batting legend has plundered 1455 Test runs this year and has scored them at a colossal average of 66.14. Root has also amassed 6 hundreds in the whites in 2021. And in all likelihood, this might be the last Ashes series that we might get to see the legendary James Anderson in action.

So, the oldest rivalry in the oldest format of the game will steal the limelight from 8th December 2021. So, Gear Up! For, this is going to be a roller coaster ride that you surely will not want to miss!

Pitch and Conditions

The pitch will have some bounce and movement in it for the seamers early on, and the batters will have to take their time and get their eye in. Thunderstorms might disrupt play on the first 3 days of the Test match. So, don’t be surprised if we do not get a lot of cricket.

Playing Combinations for 1st Ashes Test

Australia

Australia have already announced their playing XI for the 1st Ashes Test match. Experienced opener David Warner will walk out to open alongside Marcus Harris. The bedrocks of the Aussie batting line up, Marnus Labuschagne, and Steven Smith will occupy the No.3 and No.4 spots in the side.

They will be followed by Travis Head and Cameron Green, with Alex Carey all set to make his Test debut. Australia will go with 3 pacers in skipper Pat Cummins, left-arm seamer Mitchell Starc and right-arm pacer Josh Hazlewood. The lone spinner’s spot will be taken by Nathan Lyon.

Predicted XI: David Warner, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (WK), Pat Cummins (C), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

England

James Anderson is fit, but will not take the field for the 1st Ashes Test. This decision has been taken to manage the 39-year-old’s workload. So, that will mean that the pace bowling department of the England side will consist of Ollie Robinson, Mark Wood, and Chris Woakes.

If England want to go with a specialist spinner, they might opt for Jack Leach instead of Stuart Broad. Rory Burns and Haseeb Hameed will walk out to open the batting, with Dawid Malan and skipper Joe Root walking in at No.3 and No.4 respectively. All-rounder Ben Stokes will occupy the No.5 slot, while Ollie Pope will follow him. Jos Buttler will don the wicket-keeping gloves, and Chris Woakes will be the pace-bowling all-rounder.

Predicted XI: Rory Burns, Haseeb Hameed, Dawid Malan, Joe Root (C), Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler (WK), Chris Woakes, Ollie Robinson, Mark Wood, Stuart Broad/Jack Leach

Australia vs England Head-to-Head

Overall

Matches- 351, Australia – 146, England– 110, Draw – 95

In Australia

Matches- 180, Australia – 95, England– 57, Draw – 28

Australia vs England Broadcast Details

Match Timings – 05:30 AM IST

TV – Sony Sports Network

Live Streaming – SonyLiv