England captains Ben Stokes and Heather Knight projected onto Tower Bridge ahead of Ashes summer

England men's and women's cricket team captains Ben Stokes and Heather Knight were projected standing side-by-side onto Tower Bridge in London on Wednesday night ahead of the double Ashes series starting in June. The 2023 Women's Ashes will begin on June 22 and conclude on July 18. Meanwhile, Men's Ashes will be played between June 16 and July 31. 

While speaking about the forthcoming summer of cricket, Stokes said that Ashes is one of the best rivalries that every cricketer wants to play in. He also stated that having the Men's and Women's Ashes side by side is a fantastic opportunity for the game, adding that he has already seen the ticket sales and that people want to be there to support the women's squad.

"The Ashes is one of the biggest and best rivalries in sport, and it's something that every cricketer wants to play in. It's a great opportunity for the game to have the Men's Ashes and Women's Ashes side by side, and we've already seen from the ticket sales that fans want to be there to support the women's team.

The growth of the women's game over the past few years has been incredible and is a testament to Heather and the team and their quality and success on the pitch,” Stokes was quoted as saying by Mail Sport.

The 32-year-old further spoke about his fondest Ashes memories, having been in front of huge England crowds, who always get fully behind them. He added that he hopes his team can continue to entertain and put on a show for the fans.

"Some of my favourite Ashes memories have been in front of big and loud England crowds, they always get fully behind us and they'll play a big part for both teams this summer. Hopefully, we can continue entertaining them and putting on a show," the England skipper added.

This summer is going to be massive for women's cricket: Knight

Heather Knight said that this summer is going to be huge for England’s women's cricket and that they can’t wait. The 32-year-old also said that playing side by side with the men's team and having more games in major venues will be so exciting. With ticket sales for the women's series already over 70,000, the skipper said that it's massive for them to play in front of such big crowds, and the record-breaking ticket sales will give them an extra boost. She also hopes both men's and women's teams can secure a double series victory. 

"This summer is going to be massive for women's cricket, we really can't wait. To be side by side with men's team and to have more games in major venues is so exciting. It's massive for us to play in front of such big crowds and the record-breaking ticket sales will really give us an extra boost when we're out there on the field during the Women's Ashes. 

"I remember seeing the England Men's and England Women's teams on the double-decker bus in 2005 and it would be amazing if both teams could have a similar summer this year," said Knight.