STUART BROAD is in ahead of Mark Wood for the Ashes opener and that sets up another showdown with David Warner.
Broad and Jimmy Anderson – with a combined age of 76 – were included in the England team for the First Test at Edgbaston announced yesterday by captain Ben Stokes.
England captain Ben Stokes in bowling action
Stuart Broad ahead of the first Ashes Test match
England’s Joe Root pictured warming up
Also in is Moeen Ali, days after agreeing to overturn his 2021 Test retirement when Jack Leach was ruled out the series with a back stress fracture.
All-rounder Moeen, who missed training on Wednesday to collect his OBE from Windsor Castle, will bowl off-spin and bat at No.8.
And fans were quick to comment on the batting on offer, as one said: “Batting goes deeper than my student debt.
“Think we’re missing pace but if there’s some swing we’ll be in business.”
Another added: “Is Root going to be an additional spinner? Don’t know if its just me, but we look a fast bowler light.”
Stokes cranked up his bowling in the nets to its fastest pace for several months and is expected to be fit enough to send down some overs.
But he still wears heavy strapping on his problem left knee.
The decision to leave out Broad from the First Test of England’s disastrous 2021-22 Ashes campaign left the veteran quick bowler “raging.”
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But he has been chosen this time with England hoping he can continue his domination of Warner.
He dismissed the Aussie left-hander seven times out of ten in 2019. By the end, Warner was clueless how to deal with Broad’s probing, round-the-wicket angle of attack.
Wood was considered for Edgbaston because he is easily England’s fastest bowler who could upset the Aussie batters with his pace.
But, with Anderson and Ollie Robinson just back from niggles and Wood’s career frequently interrupted by injury, Broad is perhaps the most likely to last five days.
England know they must rest and rotate bowlers and Wood will certainly play in the series at some stage. Chris Woakes, Matthew Potts and Josh Tongue – who are all in England’s squad – could also appear.
- England team for First Test: Duckett, Crawley, Pope, Root, Brook, Stokes (capt), Bairstow (wkt), Moeen, Robinson, Broad, Anderson.
Ollie Pope warms up during a training session
