Stuart Broad has been picked ahead of Mark Wood to join James Anderson and Ollie Robinson in England’s pace attack for the first Ashes Test against Australia. Anderson has recovered from a groin injury, while Robinson has overcome an ankle problem, ensuring his inclusion in the squad to face Australia at Edgbaston on Friday.
Out-of-retirement off-spinner Moeen Ali has been included in the XI in place of the injured Jack Leach. England are determined to regain the Ashes they lost in 2017-18.
Skipper Ben Stokes, who has been nursing a long-term left knee problem, bowled at full capacity during the nets session in Birmingham on Wednesday. However, with Stokes’ fitness lingering in doubt, England have opted for Broad’s big-game experience and flexibility over Wood’s added pace, which would have been limited to short, quick spells.
England XI for first Ashes Test against Australia: Ben Duckett, Zac Crowley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jonny Bairstow (wicketkeeper), Moeen Ali, Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson, James Anderson Included.
Both Anderson and Robinson were ruled out of the Test against Ireland at Lord’s earlier this month after picking up injuries in county cricket. England are aiming to avoid a similar situation four years ago when Anderson returned from injury in the first Ashes Test but managed just four overs before being ruled out of the rest of the series.
At 40 years and 321 days, when the match starts on Friday, Anderson will become the oldest England player to open the bowling in an Ashes Test since George Geary in 1934. A remarkable record against Australia as no England bowler has taken more wickets than his 131 Ashes wickets. He will also resume his battle with Australian opener David Warner, whom he dismissed seven times in 10 innings during the 2019 series in England.
Moeen, 36, retired from Test cricket in September 2021 but made himself available at Stokes’ request after suffering a stress fracture in his left-arm hamstring. On Wednesday, Moeen left training to collect his OBE for his contribution to cricket at Windsor Castle. The Warwickshire player will return to the ground where he played his last Ashes Test. Four years ago, he struggled in England’s defeat at Edgbaston and was subsequently dropped.
Two England XI players, opener Ben Duckett and number five Harry Brooke, will make their Ashes debut. England enter the series on the back of 11 wins in their last 13 Tests, playing aggressive cricket led by Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum. Although they have not won any of the last three Ashes series, England are unbeaten at home since 2001.
Australia are yet to announce their XI, with the only possibility of a decision being made on which two of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland will add captain Pete Cummins to their pace attack.
