The wicket must be batting-friendly and fast, so that runs can be scored there at speed. Ben Stokes has cleared the curator of 5 venues for this year’s Ashes. He said that there was a good response from them. The message from England’s Test captain is clear, their ‘Bazball’ will continue in the Ashes as well.

Ever since Stokes became captain last year and Brendon McCullum took over as coach, England has opted for aggressive batting and an aggressive mentality. It is called the ‘Bazball’ after McCullum’s nickname ‘Baz’. In the last year, this strategy has been discussed a lot in the cricket world.

England won 10 out of 12 Tests during the McCullum-Stokes era. At this time their team run rate is 4.76. Needless to say, there is no team even close to the English. England had won just 1 of the last 17 Tests before they both took over. From there the team turned around incredibly. Apart from playing interesting and entertaining cricket, the effectiveness of their genre is also evident in the results.

They want to rely on the same strategy in the Ashes as well. However, the suffering of Australian batsmen in seaming and swinging conditions in England conditions has been caught in the last few tours. If wicket batting is helpful this time, it can also be good for David Warner, and Steven Smith. Australia also has a pace attack to take advantage of pace on the wicket.

However, in an interview given to Sky Sports on the sidelines of the IPL, Stokes said that they want to rely on their own strength.
“We have been very clear in our thinking, particularly in discussions with the field staff across England, about what kind of wicket we want. They have also responded to us very well, which is great.” “We want fast and flat wickets. We want to go 22 yards and get a quick run. However, they (Australia) will be very well in the match. They will also be happy if they get a chance to bowl on a fast wicket.”
Not only to score runs, but Stokes is also thinking of taking 20 wickets from the opponent. Bowling group is also getting special importance in his plan. There are experienced players like James Anderson and Stuart Broad. England now has three fast bowlers who can bowl at 90 mph – Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, and Oliver Stone.

But in the Ashes, 5 Tests will be played in a short period of time. The Pacers also have injury concerns. Stokes has told the medical team to take extra care of the pacers from now on. He wants to see at least 8 bowlers ready for every Ashes Test.

There are more than two months left before the start of the field. However, Stokes has already drawn the picture of the possible eleven for the first Test. “I think now I know what’s going to happen in the starting eleven or so. Any captain wants bowlers who can bowl at 90 mph. When the first Test comes, I will want to make sure I pick the best XI possible.” “With the bowling group, I told our medical team to give us the best possible chance of having eight bowlers ready for all the matches. The matches in this year’s Ashes are very close. So I’m keen to see these assets generated in every match. Right now I can pick a squad of 20. We are so lucky to have so many very good English cricketers at our disposal right now.”