The Ashes 2023: 5 Players to watch out for in first Test at Edgbaston

For the next one and a half months, England will face a stern challenge from a confident Australian side in the Ashes 2023. Leading into the fabled series, Australia beat India in the World Test Championship (WTC) final 2023 by 209 runs and clinched the coveted mace. England’s endeavours will be to play quality cricket against the Test champions and get their hands on the urn after almost eight years again on July 31 at The Oval, London.

While on the other side, Pat Cummins and his men will look forward to continuing their winning momentum against the hosts and retaining the urn. In the massive competition, eyes will be set on players from both teams as they are expected to scintillate the tournament. Recently, numerous players have performed outstandingly, and in the enormous Test spectacle, they might create a massive impact with their super form.

Here are the five players to look out for in the first Test at Edgbaston

5. Harry Brook

Harry Brook made his Test debut in September 2022 and since then, he has performed exceptionally in the longest format of the sport. The right-handed batter played a vital role in his team’s 3-0 victory against Babar Azam and his men on Pakistan soil. Scoring 468 runs in five innings of three Tests, he ended up as the leading run-scorer in the series.

Continuing his form ahead, the youngster put up a blockbuster show with his bat in New Zealand and became the leading run-getter against the Black Caps, notching up 329 runs with a century and a couple of fifties in four innings of two Tests. Riding on his fabulous knocks of 89 and 54, the visitors handed a 267-run defeat to the hosts in the first Test in Mount Maunganui.

In the Ashes 2023, his role will be to bolster England’s middle order against the quality bowling line-up of Australia. Against the emboldened Australian pacers, scoring runs won’t be an easy task for the 24-year-old but he will look to show his best side with the bat to be among the same.