The Ashes 2023 concluded in a stalemate with both Australia and England winning two games apiece. With this result, Australia succeeded in retaining the urn. After losing the first two games, England fought back and won two of the remaining three games and levelled the series. However, the home side could’ve won the fourth Test but the weather favoured the Aussie side, and the game ended in a draw.

Australia, who defended the urn successfully, had a chance to win the Test series on English soil after 22 years. However, their batters failed on the last day of the final Test and with this debacle, England pulled off the game and succeeded in avoiding the embarrassment. Throughout the series, some quality performances were witnessed from both teams by Test cricket lovers.

Discussing more, here are the best XI players of the Ashes 2023 competition

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/featureimage/Zak-crawley-2.jpg" alt="Zak Crawley" loading="lazy"><figcaption>Zak Crawley. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

After England’s defeat in the first two matches, Zak Crawley played a crucial role in helping the hosts make a comeback in the tournament. In the third Test at Headingley, England were contesting in a do-or-die match. After three days of action, England were required to chase down 251.

Following the target, Crawley gave a fine start to his side with his 44-run knock. Capitalising on his decent innings, Harry Brook and Chris Woakes guided England to successfully chase down the target. In the fourth Test, Crawley played one of the best knocks of his Test career. The plucky opening batter scored a rapid 189 off 182 and became the Player of the Match.

In England’s 49-run win in the final match at the Oval, Crawley again played his part brilliantly with his 73-run knock in the second innings. He ended up as the second-most successful batter in the <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ashes/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ashes 2023</strong></a>, racking up 480 runs in nine innings of five Tests, with a ton and a couple of half-centuries.&nbsp;

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1687286816323_Usman-Khawaja.jpeg" alt="Usman Khawaja" loading="lazy"><figcaption>Usman Khawaja. (Photo Source: GEOFF CADDICK/AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption>

<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/khawaja-perplexed-with-umpires-decision/" title="Usman Khawaja" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Usman Khawaja</strong></a> did his job exceptionally for his side, ending up as the leading run-getter in the competition with 496 runs in 10 innings of five matches. In the opening Test, Australia registered an intriguing two-wicket victory and in this incredible win, Khawaja became the Player of the Match for his spunky batting performance.

The southpaw dominated the England bowling unit in the game and scored 141 and 65. His batting efforts played an instrumental role in the visitors’ win. He continued his form in the second Test at Lord’s as well. This time, he scored 77 in the second innings and assisted his team to give a challenging target of 371 runs to England.

In the final Test, the Aussies got vanquished but the veteran did his job efficiently, scoring 47 and 72, respectively. Khawaja didn't get the Player of the Series award but he will be remembered as the Ashes 2023 hero, who gave his best with the bat.

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/featureimage/Steven-Smith-of-Australia-celebrates-after-reaching-his-century-GettyImages-497359376.jpg" alt="Steven Smith" loading="lazy"><figcaption>Steven Smith. (Image Source: Cricket Australia/Getty Images)</figcaption>

Following the fabulous World Test Championship (WTC) final in 2023, Steven Smith had the responsibility to continue his form in the Ashes. In the tournament, he showcased his efficiency with his bat again, making a vital contribution to his side.

After struggling to be among the runs in the first Test, Smith scored a superb ton in his team’s 43-run victory in the second game at Lord’s. The veteran also became the recipient of the Player of the Match award for his match-winning knock. &nbsp;In the final Test at the Oval, the Aussies tasted a defeat but Smith fought with his bat.

Playing the last game, he displayed composure with his knocks of 71 and 54. However, his contribution couldn’t save Australia from the loss. In the competition, Smith ended up the second-most successful batter in the Aussie camp, amassing 373 runs with a century and a couple of fifties in 10 innings of five Tests.&nbsp;

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1687172063232_Joe-Root.jpeg" alt="Joe Root" loading="lazy"><figcaption>Joe Root. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

As a senior player,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/joe-root-in-second-spot-steve-smith-in-third-in-test-rankings/" title="Joe Root" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Joe Root</strong></a> stepped up and played some important innings for England in this Ashes edition. Playing the series opener at Edgbaston, Root chalked up a century in the first innings. Riding on his magnificent 118-run knock, England posted 393 runs on the board. In the second innings, he did get off to another good start with his score of 46 runs but failed to capitalize on it.

After the first Test, his bat remained quiet in the next two games but in the first innings of the fourth match, he stood at the crease with Zak Crawley and built a 206-run partnership. The 32-year-old ended his innings on 84 and his scintillating knock guided England to take a 275-run lead over the opponents.

In England’s triumph in the last Test, the veteran dominated the Aussies in the second innings and scored 91. The right-handed batter became the third-leading run-scorer in the competition, scoring 412 runs with a century and two fifties in nine innings of five Tests.

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1688910535472_Harry-Brook.jpeg" alt="Harry Brook" loading="lazy"><figcaption>Harry Brook. (Photo Source: Ashley Allen/Getty Images)</figcaption>

Ahead of the Ashes 2023, there were a lot of talks about England’s Harry Brook. He performed exceptionally on foreign soils such as Pakistan and New Zealand. In the massive tournament, eyes were set on Brook as the England team and supporters were expecting him to put up a fine show with his bat.

Appearing against the Aussies for the first time, he showcased his confidence and scored 32 and 46 at Edgbaston. However, his decent contributions went in vain as Australia clinched the game by two wickets. Following a couple of defeats in the first two matches, England clinched a three-wicket win in the third Test. In the second innings of the match, the 24-year-old held his nerves and delivered a 75-run knock to his side.&nbsp;

In England’s final match win at the Oval, Brook played an effective knock of 85 runs in the first innings. It was his innings that helped the hosts to accumulate a decent score of 283 on the board. The young England stalwart scored 363 runs in nine innings of five matches and concluded the series as the sixth leading run-scorer.&nbsp;

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1688300248905_Ben-Stokes.jpeg" alt="Ben Stokes" loading="lazy"><figcaption>Ben Stokes. (Photo Source: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)</figcaption>

Ben Stokes played his first Ashes series as captain. Leading the side, he made a few mistakes but his overall performance could be deemed as decent. From the bat, he scored 405 runs in nine innings of five matches. With the ball, he scalped three wickets in four innings. Following the first Test loss, Stokes played a scintillating innings of 155 in the second match at the iconic Lord’s.

While chasing a massive total of 371, England needed someone to step up with his bat and deliver a match-winning innings to them. However, Stokes failed to win the game for his side but the southpaw succeeded in taking the match close for his team with his spunk and batting skills.

In the third Test, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/bazball-works-for-england-because-their-management-is-fully-in-with-this-style-of-play-ravichandran-ashwin/" title="England" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>England</strong></a> got its first victory of the tournament. Appearing in this game, skipper Ben Stokes led his team from the front, playing an essential 80-run knock in the first innings. With his innings, England scored 237 and got close to Australia’s score of 263.

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1688447278830_Jonny-Bairstow.jpeg" alt="Jonny Bairstow" loading="lazy"><figcaption>Jonny Bairstow. (Photo Source:Gareth Copley/Getty Images)</figcaption>

Jonny Bairstow did a fine job with the bat down the order. In the first innings of the inaugural Test, he notched up 78 runs. After the half-century in the first game, the wicketkeeper batter failed to provide anything solid to his team in the next two matches.&nbsp;

Following his failure in a couple of games, some England fans started feeling that Ben Foakes could’ve done better for their team. However, Bairstow gave a mouth-shutting reply to his critics, playing an unbeaten 99-run innings in the fourth match at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground. &nbsp;

In the final match, he took the Aussie bowling unit to the cleaners again. Carrying forward the momentum provided by top-order batters, the veteran played a 78-run knock in the second innings. He concluded the series with 322 runs in nine innings of five matches, with three half-centuries.

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1686539163463_Mitchell-Starc.jpeg" alt="Mitchell Starc" loading="lazy"><figcaption>Mitchell Starc. (Photo by Gareth Copley-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)</figcaption>

Mitchell Starc took 23 wickets in seven innings of four Tests and became the Player of the Series. After warming benches in the first Test, he featured in Australia’s playing XI in the second match at Lord’s. In the game, he came heavily of England batters and chipped in with six wickets in his team’s 43-run victory.

In the third Test, Australia got unsuccess but Starc again produced fire with the ball. While saving a total of 251, the speedster took a fifer. During his amazing spell, he scalped the important wickets of Ben Duckett, Moeen Ali, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, and Johnny Bairstow.&nbsp;

Starc gave a tough time to Ben Stokes and Co. in the last Test at the Oval as well. In the first innings, he took a four-wicket haul to conclude England’s innings on 283. Strac continued his excellent form in the second innings as well. This time, he trapped four Aussie batters again with his pace and became the highest wicket-taker in the match.

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1690874051583_Stuart-Broad-vs-Australia-2015.jpeg" alt="Stuart Broad vs Australia 2015" loading="lazy"><figcaption>Stuart Broad vs Australia 2015. (Photo Source: GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption>

<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/ipl-why-stuart-broad-never-featured-for-punjab-kings-despite-landing-a-contract-in-2011/" title="Stuart Broad" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Stuart Broad</strong></a> concluded his international career in style, grabbing the last wicket of the Ashes 2023 and taking his team home in the fifth game. The England stalwart also ended up as the second-most successful bowler with 22 wickets in 10 innings of five games, with the best bowling innings of 4/65.&nbsp;

In the first Test, he displayed his confidence with the ball, taking six wickets. Broad struggled to trap batters in the first innings of the second match but in the second innings, he got his rhythm back and clinched four wickets. In the third Test, he claimed five wickets and helped his team taste the first victory in the competition.

Playing the last Test of his career, the veteran added four wickets to his profile. Ahead of the competition, his rivalry with Australia’s opener David Warner was discussed a lot. In the tournament, he gave a headache to the Aussie veteran. The speedster picked up Warner thrice.

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1691050702302_Chris-Woakes.jpeg" alt="Chris Woakes" loading="lazy"><figcaption>Chris Woakes. (Photo Source: Stu Forster/Getty Images)</figcaption>

Chris Woakes didn’t feature in England’s line-up for the first two Tests. After trailing in the series with two of two losses, England picked him up for the third Test at Headingley. Playing his first match of the tournament, he gave desired results to his side. Pairing up with Mark Wood, he took three wickets in the first innings and folded the visitors on 263.

In the second innings, he supported Stuart Broad and claimed another three-wicket haul. His bowling display played an essential role in England’s three-wicket win. The 34-year-old showcased his best side with the ball in the fourth Test in Manchester. This time, he clinched a fifer in the first innings of the contest.

The paceman became the Player of the Match in the final game at the Oval. He racked up seven wickets in his team’s triumph. In the second innings, he got the crucial wickets of David Warner, Usman Khawaja, and Steven Smith to pave the way for his side’s win. Throughout the tournament, Woakes maintained his consistency and made a vital contribution to the team. He concluded his campaign with 19 wickets in six innings of three games.

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1686647619553_Nathan-Lyon.jpeg" alt="Nathan Lyon" loading="lazy"><figcaption>Nathan Lyon. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)</figcaption>

Nathan Lyon got ruled out of the Ashes 2023 due to a calf injury after the second Test. Lyon is a vital cog in the Aussie side and his absence affected Australia’s performance in the last three matches. The spin wizard played a couple of games in the competition and ended up bagging nine wickets in only three innings.

In Australia’s intriguing triumph in the first match, he played a major role with the ball. He took eight wickets and also supported his captain Pat Cummins in the second innings, with the bat to take the team home. In the first innings, he sent England’s main batters Harry Brook, Jonny Bairstow, and Moeen Ali back to the pavilion.&nbsp;

He continued his attack in the second innings and this time, he picked up Joe Root along with his first innings victims Brook and Bairstow. The spin veteran didn’t get the Player of the Match award after the game but he could be called an unsung hero of the contest due to his silent contribution.

<p>The Ashes 2023 concluded in a stalemate with both Australia and England winning two games apiece. With this result, Australia succeeded in retaining the urn. After losing the first two games, England fought back and won two of the remaining three games and levelled the series. However, the home side could’ve won the fourth Test but the weather favoured the Aussie side, and the game ended in a draw.</p>
<p>Australia, who defended the urn successfully, had a chance to win the Test series on English soil after 22 years. However, their batters failed on the last day of the final Test and with this debacle, England pulled off the game and succeeded in avoiding the embarrassment. Throughout the series, some quality performances were witnessed from both teams by Test cricket lovers.</p>
<h3>Discussing more, here are the best XI players of the Ashes 2023 competition</h3>
<h3>1. Zak Crawley</h3>
<figure class="image align-center" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/featureimage/Zak-crawley-2.jpg" alt="Zak Crawley" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Zak Crawley. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>After England’s defeat in the first two matches, Zak Crawley played a crucial role in helping the hosts make a comeback in the tournament. In the third Test at Headingley, England were contesting in a do-or-die match. After three days of action, England were required to chase down 251.</p>
<p>Following the target, Crawley gave a fine start to his side with his 44-run knock. Capitalising on his decent innings, Harry Brook and Chris Woakes guided England to successfully chase down the target. In the fourth Test, Crawley played one of the best knocks of his Test career. The plucky opening batter scored a rapid 189 off 182 and became the Player of the Match.</p>
<p>In England’s 49-run win in the final match at the Oval, Crawley again played his part brilliantly with his 73-run knock in the second innings. He ended up as the second-most successful batter in the <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ashes/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ashes 2023</strong></a>, racking up 480 runs in nine innings of five Tests, with a ton and a couple of half-centuries.&nbsp;</p>
<p></p>
<h3>2. Usman Khawaja</h3>
<figure class="image align-center" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1687286816323_Usman-Khawaja.jpeg" alt="Usman Khawaja" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Usman Khawaja. (Photo Source: GEOFF CADDICK/AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/khawaja-perplexed-with-umpires-decision/" title="Usman Khawaja" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Usman Khawaja</strong></a> did his job exceptionally for his side, ending up as the leading run-getter in the competition with 496 runs in 10 innings of five matches. In the opening Test, Australia registered an intriguing two-wicket victory and in this incredible win, Khawaja became the Player of the Match for his spunky batting performance.</p>
<p>The southpaw dominated the England bowling unit in the game and scored 141 and 65. His batting efforts played an instrumental role in the visitors’ win. He continued his form in the second Test at Lord’s as well. This time, he scored 77 in the second innings and assisted his team to give a challenging target of 371 runs to England.</p>
<p>In the final Test, the Aussies got vanquished but the veteran did his job efficiently, scoring 47 and 72, respectively. Khawaja didn't get the Player of the Series award but he will be remembered as the Ashes 2023 hero, who gave his best with the bat.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>3. Steven Smith</h3>
<figure class="image align-center" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/featureimage/Steven-Smith-of-Australia-celebrates-after-reaching-his-century-GettyImages-497359376.jpg" alt="Steven Smith" width="640" height="427" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Steven Smith. (Image Source: Cricket Australia/Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Following the fabulous World Test Championship (WTC) final in 2023, Steven Smith had the responsibility to continue his form in the Ashes. In the tournament, he showcased his efficiency with his bat again, making a vital contribution to his side.</p>
<p>After struggling to be among the runs in the first Test, Smith scored a superb ton in his team’s 43-run victory in the second game at Lord’s. The veteran also became the recipient of the Player of the Match award for his match-winning knock. &nbsp;In the final Test at the Oval, the Aussies tasted a defeat but Smith fought with his bat.</p>
<p>Playing the last game, he displayed composure with his knocks of 71 and 54. However, his contribution couldn’t save Australia from the loss. In the competition, Smith ended up the second-most successful batter in the Aussie camp, amassing 373 runs with a century and a couple of fifties in 10 innings of five Tests.&nbsp;</p>
<p></p>
<h3>4. Joe Root</h3>
<figure class="image align-center" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1687172063232_Joe-Root.jpeg" alt="Joe Root" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Joe Root. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>As a senior player,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/joe-root-in-second-spot-steve-smith-in-third-in-test-rankings/" title="Joe Root" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Joe Root</strong></a> stepped up and played some important innings for England in this Ashes edition. Playing the series opener at Edgbaston, Root chalked up a century in the first innings. Riding on his magnificent 118-run knock, England posted 393 runs on the board. In the second innings, he did get off to another good start with his score of 46 runs but failed to capitalize on it.</p>
<p>After the first Test, his bat remained quiet in the next two games but in the first innings of the fourth match, he stood at the crease with Zak Crawley and built a 206-run partnership. The 32-year-old ended his innings on 84 and his scintillating knock guided England to take a 275-run lead over the opponents.</p>
<p>In England’s triumph in the last Test, the veteran dominated the Aussies in the second innings and scored 91. The right-handed batter became the third-leading run-scorer in the competition, scoring 412 runs with a century and two fifties in nine innings of five Tests.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>5. Harry Brook</h3>
<figure class="image align-center" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1688910535472_Harry-Brook.jpeg" alt="Harry Brook" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Harry Brook. (Photo Source: Ashley Allen/Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Ahead of the Ashes 2023, there were a lot of talks about England’s Harry Brook. He performed exceptionally on foreign soils such as Pakistan and New Zealand. In the massive tournament, eyes were set on Brook as the England team and supporters were expecting him to put up a fine show with his bat.</p>
<p>Appearing against the Aussies for the first time, he showcased his confidence and scored 32 and 46 at Edgbaston. However, his decent contributions went in vain as Australia clinched the game by two wickets. Following a couple of defeats in the first two matches, England clinched a three-wicket win in the third Test. In the second innings of the match, the 24-year-old held his nerves and delivered a 75-run knock to his side.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In England’s final match win at the Oval, Brook played an effective knock of 85 runs in the first innings. It was his innings that helped the hosts to accumulate a decent score of 283 on the board. The young England stalwart scored 363 runs in nine innings of five matches and concluded the series as the sixth leading run-scorer.&nbsp;</p>
<p></p>
<h3>6. Ben Stokes</h3>
<figure class="image align-center" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1688300248905_Ben-Stokes.jpeg" alt="Ben Stokes" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Ben Stokes. (Photo Source: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Ben Stokes played his first Ashes series as captain. Leading the side, he made a few mistakes but his overall performance could be deemed as decent. From the bat, he scored 405 runs in nine innings of five matches. With the ball, he scalped three wickets in four innings. Following the first Test loss, Stokes played a scintillating innings of 155 in the second match at the iconic Lord’s.</p>
<p>While chasing a massive total of 371, England needed someone to step up with his bat and deliver a match-winning innings to them. However, Stokes failed to win the game for his side but the southpaw succeeded in taking the match close for his team with his spunk and batting skills.</p>
<p>In the third Test, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/bazball-works-for-england-because-their-management-is-fully-in-with-this-style-of-play-ravichandran-ashwin/" title="England" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>England</strong></a> got its first victory of the tournament. Appearing in this game, skipper Ben Stokes led his team from the front, playing an essential 80-run knock in the first innings. With his innings, England scored 237 and got close to Australia’s score of 263.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>7. Jonny Bairstow (wk)</h3>
<figure class="image align-center" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1688447278830_Jonny-Bairstow.jpeg" alt="Jonny Bairstow" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Jonny Bairstow. (Photo Source:Gareth Copley/Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Jonny Bairstow did a fine job with the bat down the order. In the first innings of the inaugural Test, he notched up 78 runs. After the half-century in the first game, the wicketkeeper batter failed to provide anything solid to his team in the next two matches.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Following his failure in a couple of games, some England fans started feeling that Ben Foakes could’ve done better for their team. However, Bairstow gave a mouth-shutting reply to his critics, playing an unbeaten 99-run innings in the fourth match at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground. &nbsp;</p>
<p>In the final match, he took the Aussie bowling unit to the cleaners again. Carrying forward the momentum provided by top-order batters, the veteran played a 78-run knock in the second innings. He concluded the series with 322 runs in nine innings of five matches, with three half-centuries.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>8. Mitchell Starc</h3>
<figure class="image align-center" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1686539163463_Mitchell-Starc.jpeg" alt="Mitchell Starc" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Mitchell Starc. (Photo by Gareth Copley-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Mitchell Starc took 23 wickets in seven innings of four Tests and became the Player of the Series. After warming benches in the first Test, he featured in Australia’s playing XI in the second match at Lord’s. In the game, he came heavily of England batters and chipped in with six wickets in his team’s 43-run victory.</p>
<p>In the third Test, Australia got unsuccess but Starc again produced fire with the ball. While saving a total of 251, the speedster took a fifer. During his amazing spell, he scalped the important wickets of Ben Duckett, Moeen Ali, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, and Johnny Bairstow.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Starc gave a tough time to Ben Stokes and Co. in the last Test at the Oval as well. In the first innings, he took a four-wicket haul to conclude England’s innings on 283. Strac continued his excellent form in the second innings as well. This time, he trapped four Aussie batters again with his pace and became the highest wicket-taker in the match.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>9. Stuart Broad</h3>
<figure class="image align-center" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1690874051583_Stuart-Broad-vs-Australia-2015.jpeg" alt="Stuart Broad vs Australia 2015" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Stuart Broad vs Australia 2015. (Photo Source: GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/ipl-why-stuart-broad-never-featured-for-punjab-kings-despite-landing-a-contract-in-2011/" title="Stuart Broad" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Stuart Broad</strong></a> concluded his international career in style, grabbing the last wicket of the Ashes 2023 and taking his team home in the fifth game. The England stalwart also ended up as the second-most successful bowler with 22 wickets in 10 innings of five games, with the best bowling innings of 4/65.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In the first Test, he displayed his confidence with the ball, taking six wickets. Broad struggled to trap batters in the first innings of the second match but in the second innings, he got his rhythm back and clinched four wickets. In the third Test, he claimed five wickets and helped his team taste the first victory in the competition.</p>
<p>Playing the last Test of his career, the veteran added four wickets to his profile. Ahead of the competition, his rivalry with Australia’s opener David Warner was discussed a lot. In the tournament, he gave a headache to the Aussie veteran. The speedster picked up Warner thrice.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>10. Chris Woakes</h3>
<figure class="image align-center" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1691050702302_Chris-Woakes.jpeg" alt="Chris Woakes" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Chris Woakes. (Photo Source: Stu Forster/Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Chris Woakes didn’t feature in England’s line-up for the first two Tests. After trailing in the series with two of two losses, England picked him up for the third Test at Headingley. Playing his first match of the tournament, he gave desired results to his side. Pairing up with Mark Wood, he took three wickets in the first innings and folded the visitors on 263.</p>
<p>In the second innings, he supported Stuart Broad and claimed another three-wicket haul. His bowling display played an essential role in England’s three-wicket win. The 34-year-old showcased his best side with the ball in the fourth Test in Manchester. This time, he clinched a fifer in the first innings of the contest.</p>
<p>The paceman became the Player of the Match in the final game at the Oval. He racked up seven wickets in his team’s triumph. In the second innings, he got the crucial wickets of David Warner, Usman Khawaja, and Steven Smith to pave the way for his side’s win. Throughout the tournament, Woakes maintained his consistency and made a vital contribution to the team. He concluded his campaign with 19 wickets in six innings of three games.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>11. Nathan Lyon</h3>
<figure class="image align-center" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1686647619553_Nathan-Lyon.jpeg" alt="Nathan Lyon" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Nathan Lyon. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)</figcaption>
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<p>Nathan Lyon got ruled out of the Ashes 2023 due to a calf injury after the second Test. Lyon is a vital cog in the Aussie side and his absence affected Australia’s performance in the last three matches. The spin wizard played a couple of games in the competition and ended up bagging nine wickets in only three innings.</p>
<p>In Australia’s intriguing triumph in the first match, he played a major role with the ball. He took eight wickets and also supported his captain Pat Cummins in the second innings, with the bat to take the team home. In the first innings, he sent England’s main batters Harry Brook, Jonny Bairstow, and Moeen Ali back to the pavilion.&nbsp;</p>
<p>He continued his attack in the second innings and this time, he picked up Joe Root along with his first innings victims Brook and Bairstow. The spin veteran didn’t get the Player of the Match award after the game but he could be called an unsung hero of the contest due to his silent contribution.</p>

<p>The Ashes 2023 concluded in a stalemate with both Australia and England winning two games apiece. With this result, Australia succeeded in retaining the urn. After losing the first two games, England fought back and won two of the remaining three games and levelled the series. However, the home side could’ve won the fourth Test but the weather favoured the Aussie side, and the game ended in a draw.</p>
<p>Australia, who defended the urn successfully, had a chance to win the Test series on English soil after 22 years. However, their batters failed on the last day of the final Test and with this debacle, England pulled off the game and succeeded in avoiding the embarrassment. Throughout the series, some quality performances were witnessed from both teams by Test cricket lovers.</p>
<h3>Discussing more, here are the best XI players of the Ashes 2023 competition</h3>
<h3>1. Zak Crawley</h3>
<figure class="image align-center"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/featureimage/Zak-crawley-2.jpg" alt="Zak Crawley" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Zak Crawley. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>
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<p>After England’s defeat in the first two matches, Zak Crawley played a crucial role in helping the hosts make a comeback in the tournament. In the third Test at Headingley, England were contesting in a do-or-die match. After three days of action, England were required to chase down 251.</p>
<p>Following the target, Crawley gave a fine start to his side with his 44-run knock. Capitalising on his decent innings, Harry Brook and Chris Woakes guided England to successfully chase down the target. In the fourth Test, Crawley played one of the best knocks of his Test career. The plucky opening batter scored a rapid 189 off 182 and became the Player of the Match.</p>
<p>In England’s 49-run win in the final match at the Oval, Crawley again played his part brilliantly with his 73-run knock in the second innings. He ended up as the second-most successful batter in the <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ashes/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ashes 2023</strong></a>, racking up 480 runs in nine innings of five Tests, with a ton and a couple of half-centuries.&nbsp;</p>
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<h3>2. Usman Khawaja</h3>
<figure class="image align-center"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1687286816323_Usman-Khawaja.jpeg" alt="Usman Khawaja" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Usman Khawaja. (Photo Source: GEOFF CADDICK/AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption>
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<p><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/khawaja-perplexed-with-umpires-decision/" title="Usman Khawaja" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Usman Khawaja</strong></a> did his job exceptionally for his side, ending up as the leading run-getter in the competition with 496 runs in 10 innings of five matches. In the opening Test, Australia registered an intriguing two-wicket victory and in this incredible win, Khawaja became the Player of the Match for his spunky batting performance.</p>
<p>The southpaw dominated the England bowling unit in the game and scored 141 and 65. His batting efforts played an instrumental role in the visitors’ win. He continued his form in the second Test at Lord’s as well. This time, he scored 77 in the second innings and assisted his team to give a challenging target of 371 runs to England.</p>
<p>In the final Test, the Aussies got vanquished but the veteran did his job efficiently, scoring 47 and 72, respectively. Khawaja didn't get the Player of the Series award but he will be remembered as the Ashes 2023 hero, who gave his best with the bat.</p>
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<h3>3. Steven Smith</h3>
<figure class="image align-center"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/featureimage/Steven-Smith-of-Australia-celebrates-after-reaching-his-century-GettyImages-497359376.jpg" alt="Steven Smith" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Steven Smith. (Image Source: Cricket Australia/Getty Images)</figcaption>
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<p>Following the fabulous World Test Championship (WTC) final in 2023, Steven Smith had the responsibility to continue his form in the Ashes. In the tournament, he showcased his efficiency with his bat again, making a vital contribution to his side.</p>
<p>After struggling to be among the runs in the first Test, Smith scored a superb ton in his team’s 43-run victory in the second game at Lord’s. The veteran also became the recipient of the Player of the Match award for his match-winning knock. &nbsp;In the final Test at the Oval, the Aussies tasted a defeat but Smith fought with his bat.</p>
<p>Playing the last game, he displayed composure with his knocks of 71 and 54. However, his contribution couldn’t save Australia from the loss. In the competition, Smith ended up the second-most successful batter in the Aussie camp, amassing 373 runs with a century and a couple of fifties in 10 innings of five Tests.&nbsp;</p>
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<h3>4. Joe Root</h3>
<figure class="image align-center"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1687172063232_Joe-Root.jpeg" alt="Joe Root" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Joe Root. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>
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<p>As a senior player,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/joe-root-in-second-spot-steve-smith-in-third-in-test-rankings/" title="Joe Root" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Joe Root</strong></a> stepped up and played some important innings for England in this Ashes edition. Playing the series opener at Edgbaston, Root chalked up a century in the first innings. Riding on his magnificent 118-run knock, England posted 393 runs on the board. In the second innings, he did get off to another good start with his score of 46 runs but failed to capitalize on it.</p>
<p>After the first Test, his bat remained quiet in the next two games but in the first innings of the fourth match, he stood at the crease with Zak Crawley and built a 206-run partnership. The 32-year-old ended his innings on 84 and his scintillating knock guided England to take a 275-run lead over the opponents.</p>
<p>In England’s triumph in the last Test, the veteran dominated the Aussies in the second innings and scored 91. The right-handed batter became the third-leading run-scorer in the competition, scoring 412 runs with a century and two fifties in nine innings of five Tests.</p>
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<h3>5. Harry Brook</h3>
<figure class="image align-center"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1688910535472_Harry-Brook.jpeg" alt="Harry Brook" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Harry Brook. (Photo Source: Ashley Allen/Getty Images)</figcaption>
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<p>Ahead of the Ashes 2023, there were a lot of talks about England’s Harry Brook. He performed exceptionally on foreign soils such as Pakistan and New Zealand. In the massive tournament, eyes were set on Brook as the England team and supporters were expecting him to put up a fine show with his bat.</p>
<p>Appearing against the Aussies for the first time, he showcased his confidence and scored 32 and 46 at Edgbaston. However, his decent contributions went in vain as Australia clinched the game by two wickets. Following a couple of defeats in the first two matches, England clinched a three-wicket win in the third Test. In the second innings of the match, the 24-year-old held his nerves and delivered a 75-run knock to his side.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In England’s final match win at the Oval, Brook played an effective knock of 85 runs in the first innings. It was his innings that helped the hosts to accumulate a decent score of 283 on the board. The young England stalwart scored 363 runs in nine innings of five matches and concluded the series as the sixth leading run-scorer.&nbsp;</p>
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<h3>6. Ben Stokes</h3>
<figure class="image align-center"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1688300248905_Ben-Stokes.jpeg" alt="Ben Stokes" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Ben Stokes. (Photo Source: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)</figcaption>
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<p>Ben Stokes played his first Ashes series as captain. Leading the side, he made a few mistakes but his overall performance could be deemed as decent. From the bat, he scored 405 runs in nine innings of five matches. With the ball, he scalped three wickets in four innings. Following the first Test loss, Stokes played a scintillating innings of 155 in the second match at the iconic Lord’s.</p>
<p>While chasing a massive total of 371, England needed someone to step up with his bat and deliver a match-winning innings to them. However, Stokes failed to win the game for his side but the southpaw succeeded in taking the match close for his team with his spunk and batting skills.</p>
<p>In the third Test, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/bazball-works-for-england-because-their-management-is-fully-in-with-this-style-of-play-ravichandran-ashwin/" title="England" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>England</strong></a> got its first victory of the tournament. Appearing in this game, skipper Ben Stokes led his team from the front, playing an essential 80-run knock in the first innings. With his innings, England scored 237 and got close to Australia’s score of 263.</p>
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<h3>7. Jonny Bairstow (wk)</h3>
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<figcaption>Jonny Bairstow. (Photo Source:Gareth Copley/Getty Images)</figcaption>
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<p>Jonny Bairstow did a fine job with the bat down the order. In the first innings of the inaugural Test, he notched up 78 runs. After the half-century in the first game, the wicketkeeper batter failed to provide anything solid to his team in the next two matches.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Following his failure in a couple of games, some England fans started feeling that Ben Foakes could’ve done better for their team. However, Bairstow gave a mouth-shutting reply to his critics, playing an unbeaten 99-run innings in the fourth match at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground. &nbsp;</p>
<p>In the final match, he took the Aussie bowling unit to the cleaners again. Carrying forward the momentum provided by top-order batters, the veteran played a 78-run knock in the second innings. He concluded the series with 322 runs in nine innings of five matches, with three half-centuries.</p>
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<h3>8. Mitchell Starc</h3>
<figure class="image align-center"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1686539163463_Mitchell-Starc.jpeg" alt="Mitchell Starc" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Mitchell Starc. (Photo by Gareth Copley-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)</figcaption>
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<p>Mitchell Starc took 23 wickets in seven innings of four Tests and became the Player of the Series. After warming benches in the first Test, he featured in Australia’s playing XI in the second match at Lord’s. In the game, he came heavily of England batters and chipped in with six wickets in his team’s 43-run victory.</p>
<p>In the third Test, Australia got unsuccess but Starc again produced fire with the ball. While saving a total of 251, the speedster took a fifer. During his amazing spell, he scalped the important wickets of Ben Duckett, Moeen Ali, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, and Johnny Bairstow.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Starc gave a tough time to Ben Stokes and Co. in the last Test at the Oval as well. In the first innings, he took a four-wicket haul to conclude England’s innings on 283. Strac continued his excellent form in the second innings as well. This time, he trapped four Aussie batters again with his pace and became the highest wicket-taker in the match.</p>
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<h3>9. Stuart Broad</h3>
<figure class="image align-center"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1690874051583_Stuart-Broad-vs-Australia-2015.jpeg" alt="Stuart Broad vs Australia 2015" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Stuart Broad vs Australia 2015. (Photo Source: GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption>
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<p><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/ipl-why-stuart-broad-never-featured-for-punjab-kings-despite-landing-a-contract-in-2011/" title="Stuart Broad" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Stuart Broad</strong></a> concluded his international career in style, grabbing the last wicket of the Ashes 2023 and taking his team home in the fifth game. The England stalwart also ended up as the second-most successful bowler with 22 wickets in 10 innings of five games, with the best bowling innings of 4/65.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In the first Test, he displayed his confidence with the ball, taking six wickets. Broad struggled to trap batters in the first innings of the second match but in the second innings, he got his rhythm back and clinched four wickets. In the third Test, he claimed five wickets and helped his team taste the first victory in the competition.</p>
<p>Playing the last Test of his career, the veteran added four wickets to his profile. Ahead of the competition, his rivalry with Australia’s opener David Warner was discussed a lot. In the tournament, he gave a headache to the Aussie veteran. The speedster picked up Warner thrice.</p>
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<h3>10. Chris Woakes</h3>
<figure class="image align-center"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1691050702302_Chris-Woakes.jpeg" alt="Chris Woakes" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Chris Woakes. (Photo Source: Stu Forster/Getty Images)</figcaption>
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<p>Chris Woakes didn’t feature in England’s line-up for the first two Tests. After trailing in the series with two of two losses, England picked him up for the third Test at Headingley. Playing his first match of the tournament, he gave desired results to his side. Pairing up with Mark Wood, he took three wickets in the first innings and folded the visitors on 263.</p>
<p>In the second innings, he supported Stuart Broad and claimed another three-wicket haul. His bowling display played an essential role in England’s three-wicket win. The 34-year-old showcased his best side with the ball in the fourth Test in Manchester. This time, he clinched a fifer in the first innings of the contest.</p>
<p>The paceman became the Player of the Match in the final game at the Oval. He racked up seven wickets in his team’s triumph. In the second innings, he got the crucial wickets of David Warner, Usman Khawaja, and Steven Smith to pave the way for his side’s win. Throughout the tournament, Woakes maintained his consistency and made a vital contribution to the team. He concluded his campaign with 19 wickets in six innings of three games.</p>
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<h3>11. Nathan Lyon</h3>
<figure class="image align-center"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1686647619553_Nathan-Lyon.jpeg" alt="Nathan Lyon" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Nathan Lyon. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)</figcaption>
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<p>Nathan Lyon got ruled out of the Ashes 2023 due to a calf injury after the second Test. Lyon is a vital cog in the Aussie side and his absence affected Australia’s performance in the last three matches. The spin wizard played a couple of games in the competition and ended up bagging nine wickets in only three innings.</p>
<p>In Australia’s intriguing triumph in the first match, he played a major role with the ball. He took eight wickets and also supported his captain Pat Cummins in the second innings, with the bat to take the team home. In the first innings, he sent England’s main batters Harry Brook, Jonny Bairstow, and Moeen Ali back to the pavilion.&nbsp;</p>
<p>He continued his attack in the second innings and this time, he picked up Joe Root along with his first innings victims Brook and Bairstow. The spin veteran didn’t get the Player of the Match award after the game but he could be called an unsung hero of the contest due to his silent contribution.</p>

The Ashes 2023 concluded in a stalemate with both Australia and England winning two games apiece. With this result, Australia succeeded in retaining the urn. After losing the first two games, England

Ashes 2023: Best combined XI

These players performed exceptionally in the Ashes 2023 and they will make a perfect playing XI of the tournament.

Ashes 2023: Best Combined XI of Series

Check out the finest Ashes 2023 Combined XI, along with the greatest batters, bowlers, and all-rounders in the Ashes 2023.