Ashes 2023: Top 5 player battles to watch out for
As the cricket world eagerly waits for the Ashes to get underway, here is a look at five potential players battles that could play a key role in deciding the outcome of the series.
3. Mitchell Starc vs Jonny Bairstow
Jonny Bairstow perhaps defines England's new aggressive approach in Tests, famously called 'Bazball', better than any other English player. The wicketkeeper-batter has been one of the flagbearers of the new method that has transformed England's Test cricket.
Bazball is all about caring little for the defensive approach in the most traditional format and taking the attack to the opposition. And Bairstow has done extremely well with the bat since Brendon McCullum took charge of the team. In the last home season, the right-handed batsman smashed 681 runs with the help of four centuries, with an average over 75 and a strike-rate of almost 100.
Stopping Bairstow would be crucial for Australia if they wish to retain the Ashes and one man who can do the job for them is their ace pacer Mitchell Starc. The left-arm pacer has dismissed Bairstow nine times in Tests, more than any other bowler, and will be eyeing more success against him in the upcoming series.
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