Ben Stokes reveals Stuart Broad was picked for first Ashes Test considering his stellar record against David Warner

The Ashes 2023 is about to get underway on Friday, June 16, at Edgbaston, in Birmingham, as England and Australia will lock horns in the first Test of the five-match series. England have announced their playing XI, two days ahead of the epic clash as veteran seamer James Anderson has marked his return to the team after recovering from an injury. Ollie Robinson has also made a return from injury and will form the pace trio along with Anderson and Stuart Broad.

Ahead of the game, there were widespread talks of speedster Mark Wood getting selected ahead of Broad for the first Test. However, England captain Ben Stokes has revealed that Broad’s phenomenal record against the Australian opener David Warner gave him a go-ahead of Wood in the first Test.

"I’d be lying if I said no. It’s just one of those things–like (India’s Ravichandran) Ashwin against me. Broady has been an unbelievable performer over many years," Stokes was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

Notably, Broad tormented the Aussie opener during the 2019 Ashes where he dismissed him seven times out of ten innings as Warner ended the series averaging 9.50. The English seamer made Warner his bunny as he kept attacking him with full deliveries from around the wicket.

The Ashes 2023 will also see a return of the English all-rounder Moeen Ali from his Test retirement. Ali bid adieu to the longest format of the game in September 2021, however, he was recalled into the Test team following an injury to left-arm spinner Jack Leach which ruled him out of the series.

I have stuck with my heart and my gut throughout my captaincy so far: Ben Stokes

Further talking about Moeen Ali’s return to the Test team, Stokes said that he went with his heart rather than head to call him back.

"That was a stomach and a heart feeling, rather than my brain. Generally, I have stuck with my heart and my gut throughout my captaincy so far," added Stokes.

Meanwhile, Australia have retained the Ashes in the last three series since 2017 and will be looking to claim it for the fourth consecutive time in the upcoming series.