England resume their Ashes rivalry with Australia today at the fortress where they have won their last 11 internationals while the men from Down Under are yet to win a game at the Birmingham venue since 2001
England captain Joe Root (left) and Australia skipper Tim Paine hold the Urn in Birmingham yesterday. Pic/AFP
Birmingham: England return to 'Fortress Edgbaston' for the first Test against Australia today looking to round off an already memorable season by completing a World Cup and Ashes double. If the World Cup remains the pinnacle of the 50-over game, for England and Australia there's nothing quite like a renewal of Test cricket's oldest rivalry. But now there's arguably more at stake for both sides than the series result.
Australia have not won at Edgbaston in any format since 2001, a run that includes their recent World Cup semi-final loss to England, when Roy made a sparkling 85. England, by contrast, have won their last 11 internationals at the raucous Birmingham ground. For England, a home season billed as the most important in a generation started brilliantly with their impressive run to a first men's World Cup title. International cricket in Britain emerged from behind its satellite television paywall for the first time since the celebrated 2005 Ashes so that millions could watch England's nerve-shredding Super Over win against New Zealand at Lord's earlier this month.
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Building on that groundswell of support is a key part of the England and Wales Cricket Board's post-tournament strategy. Regaining the Ashes represents an ideal chance to keep those new followers on board, even if none of the five Tests are on free-to-air TV. For Australia, an Ashes series win under the dignified leadership of Tim Paine would help draw a line under the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa that led to long bans for former captain Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft.
All three batsmen are likely to feature at Edgbaston, with Bancroft set to hear the same booing that greeted Smith and Warner during the World Cup. Australia have not won an Ashes in England for 19 years, with their batsmen struggling against the heavily stitched Dukes ball on pitches that offer seam movement. Yet the first Test will be Australia's opening first-class match of the tour, although the likes of Bancroft, who has been captaining English county side Durham, have recent experience of local conditions.
Also read: Five memorable Ashes series
The way an England side featuring several World Cup stars were dismissed for just 85 by Ireland at Lord's last week before winning the first Test between the countries tells its own story of ongoing top-order woes. England captain Joe Root plans to move back to No. 3 to help shore up a top order. Australia, meanwhile, are poised to put their faith in a rapid four-man attack featuring James Pattinson and Pat Cummins.
Also read: Justin Langer predicts hostile reception for Cameron Bancroft
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