England Captain Asks Groundsmen To Prepare Fast Wickets For Ashes Series

Summary

• The five match Ashes test series between England and Australia starts June 16
• Ben Stokes has asked groundsmen to prepare fast and flat tracks for all 5 tests
• Stokes is looking to blow Australia away with pace and aggression

The cricket world is currently focusing on the Indian Premier League (IPL) that is underway in India as the IPL is the premier T20 domestic tournament in the world.

Once the IPL is done, all eyes will turn towards the Ashes as Australia will travel to England to take on their old rivals in enemy territory.

Australia currently hold the Ashes after drubbing England 4-0 at home and will now look to retain their Ashes when they play England in a 5 match test series that runs from 16 June to 31 July.

The first test will take place from 16 to 23 June at Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Birmingham. The players will get a week’s rest before the second test which runs from 28 June to 2 July and takes place at Lord’s, London.

The third test is soon after and runs from 6 to 10 July and will take place at Headingley Cricket Ground, Leeds. Players will get a week’s rest before the 4th test which runs from 19 to 23 July at Old Trafford Cricket Ground, Manchester. The fifth and final test will run from 27 to 31 July at The Oval, London. Will England be able to reclaim the Ashes or will they be whitewashed again…? Get the latest odds for the Ashes using UK betting sites, right here.

England have played a different brand of cricket ever since Ben Stokes (pictured) took over as captain and Brendon McCullum took over as head coach. Stokes and McCullum have teamed up to play an aggressive brand of cricket which is clear from the stats.

England have gone on to win 10 out of their last 12 tests by scoring at a quicker rate which is an incredible 4.76 runs per over, higher than any other test playing nation.

Stokes has asked the groundsmen for all 5 tests to prepare fast and flat tracks to assist England’s pace bowlers. Stokes said he wants 8 bowlers available throughout the Ashes and will rely on key bowlers who can bowl over 90mph. Jofra Archer, Mark Wood and Olly Stone can all bowl over 90 mph and will be key players for England to win the Ashes at home!