For the next one and a half months, England will face a stern challenge from a confident Australian side in<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ashes/" title=" the Ashes 2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> the Ashes 2023</a>. 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

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1671367365240_Harry-Brook.jpeg" alt="Harry Brook" loading="lazy"><figcaption>Harry Brook. (Photo Source: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)</figcaption>

<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/harry-brook-is-a-match-winner-in-his-own-right-and-hes-proved-it-already-ian-bell/" title="Harry Brook" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Harry Brook</a>&nbsp;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.

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1677216062392_Joe-Root-vs-NZ.jpeg" alt="Joe Root vs NZ" loading="lazy"><figcaption>Joe Root vs NZ. (Photo by Philip Brown/Popperfoto/Popperfoto via Getty Images)</figcaption>

Joe Root will be a key batter for England in the upcoming five-match contest. The English team will heavily rely on him to fare well in the tournament. Since 2021, he has played his part in the team brilliantly with his superb batting performances. In the previous year, the veteran scored 1098 runs with five tons and two fifties in 27 innings of 15 Test matches.

During the New Zealand tour in February, he played a match-winning knock of 57 in the second innings to help his team thump the hosts by 267 runs in the first Test. So far, the right-handed batter has played 29 Tests against the arch-rivals Australia, in which he has racked up 2016 runs with 16 half-centuries and three hundreds in 56 innings of 29 Tests.

In the <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/i-am-probably-going-the-opposite-way-josh-hazlewood-opens-up-on-englands-idea-of-preparing-flat-decks-for-ashes/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ashes</a>, his experience and skills will play a huge role for the Three Lions to counter the dangerous Aussie bowling unit. This year, the 32-year-old has scored 375 runs in five innings of three Tests with a century and three fifties. Noting their batting stalwart’s recent numbers, the English team management will expect him to make a huge contribution with his bat against their arch-rivals.

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1686548377896_Pat-Cummins-with-WTC-Mace.jpeg" alt="Pat Cummins with WTC Mace." loading="lazy"><figcaption>Pat Cummins with WTC Mace. (Photo Source : Gettyimages)</figcaption>

<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/pat-cummins-keen-on-achieving-legacy-defining-stuff-in-ashes-post-wtc-victory/" title="Pat Cummins" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pat Cummins</a>&nbsp;was seen leading Australia for the first time in the 2021-22 Ashes. Captaining his national side from the front, the pacer powered his team to beat the Joe Root-led English side by 4-0, claiming 21 wickets in eight innings of four Tests. This time again, the Aussies will bank on their skipper to dominate England.

In 2019, Australia played a fierce brand of cricket and succeeded in levelling the series by 2-2 and retaining the urn. The phenomenal success became possible for the Aussies in the competition due to the spunky performances of Steve Smith, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Starc.

Claiming 29 wickets in 10 innings of five Tests, he ended up becoming the highest wicket-taker in the series. This time, his responsibility will be to give some tough time to England batters with his raw pace and take the distinguished urn back home.

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1685953011221_Steve-Smith.jpeg" alt="Steve Smith" loading="lazy"><figcaption>Steve Smith. (Photo Source: Alex Davidson/Getty Images)</figcaption>

<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/no-glaring-weakness-in-steve-smiths-game-naseer-hussain-raises-alarm-bells-for-england-ahead-of-ashes/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Steve Smith</a> has been in sensational form recently. Riding on his superb batting performance, Australia overpowered India comfortably in the <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-appeal/ind-vs-aus-combined-xi-from-wtc-final-2023-4054/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Test Championship</a> (WTC) final 2023 at The Oval, London. In the massive achievement, Smith contributed 121 and 34 from his bat to help his team vanquish Rohit Sharma and Co.

The aggressive Aussie batter might become a headache for the English side in the upcoming tournament, as the veteran is capable enough to outclass their bowlers with his skills and temperament. In the 2019 Ashes, Smith dominated England bowlers and became the leading run-scorer in the tournament, with 774 runs in seven innings of four Tests. Smith’s overwhelming batting display from that series is still considered one of the best in his vast Test career.

Currently, the 34-year-old is the fifth-highest run-getter in the Ashes, with 3044 runs, including 11 tons and 11 fifties in 56 innings of 32 Tests. Based on his reputation, the visiting side will hope their stalwart to step up in the enormous event and deliver some match-winning batting performances.

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1686559177934_Travis-Head.jpeg" alt="Travis Head" loading="lazy"><figcaption>Travis Head. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

Travis Head’s outstanding performance powered Australia to register an emphatic victory in the World Test Championship (WTC) final. In the first innings, the southpaw chalked up 163 runs off 174 deliveries and hammered India’s bowling attack to put his side in a commanding position. For his standout performance in the marquee event, he also received the Player of the Match award.

His innings against India in the final will be considered one of the best knocks of all time as he bailed Australia out after the fall of three early wickets. Banking on his high confidence, the left-handed batter will now strive to play quality cricket against the arch-rivals England and make this English summer his best.

In the last Ashes edition, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-press-release/steve-smith-travis-head-join-marnus-labuschagne-to-make-rare-1-2-3-in-mens-test-player-rankings/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Head</a> came out as the most successful batter, powering Australia to hand a 4-0 defeat to the Three Lions by scoring a total of 357 runs with a couple of tons and a fifty in six innings of four matches.&nbsp;

For the next one and a half months, England will face a stern challenge from a confident Australian side in<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ashes/" title=" the Ashes 2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> the Ashes 2023</a>. 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.
<h3>Here are the five players to look out for in the first Test at Edgbaston</h3>
<h3>5. Harry Brook</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1671367365240_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: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/harry-brook-is-a-match-winner-in-his-own-right-and-hes-proved-it-already-ian-bell/" title="Harry Brook" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Harry Brook</a>&nbsp;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.

<h3>4. Joe Root</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1677216062392_Joe-Root-vs-NZ.jpeg" alt="Joe Root vs NZ" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Joe Root vs NZ. (Photo by Philip Brown/Popperfoto/Popperfoto via Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
Joe Root will be a key batter for England in the upcoming five-match contest. The English team will heavily rely on him to fare well in the tournament. Since 2021, he has played his part in the team brilliantly with his superb batting performances. In the previous year, the veteran scored 1098 runs with five tons and two fifties in 27 innings of 15 Test matches.
During the New Zealand tour in February, he played a match-winning knock of 57 in the second innings to help his team thump the hosts by 267 runs in the first Test. So far, the right-handed batter has played 29 Tests against the arch-rivals Australia, in which he has racked up 2016 runs with 16 half-centuries and three hundreds in 56 innings of 29 Tests.
In the <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/i-am-probably-going-the-opposite-way-josh-hazlewood-opens-up-on-englands-idea-of-preparing-flat-decks-for-ashes/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ashes</a>, his experience and skills will play a huge role for the Three Lions to counter the dangerous Aussie bowling unit. This year, the 32-year-old has scored 375 runs in five innings of three Tests with a century and three fifties. Noting their batting stalwart’s recent numbers, the English team management will expect him to make a huge contribution with his bat against their arch-rivals.

<h3>3. Pat Cummins</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1686548377896_Pat-Cummins-with-WTC-Mace.jpeg" alt="Pat Cummins with WTC Mace." width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Pat Cummins with WTC Mace. (Photo Source : Gettyimages)</figcaption>
</figure>
<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/pat-cummins-keen-on-achieving-legacy-defining-stuff-in-ashes-post-wtc-victory/" title="Pat Cummins" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pat Cummins</a>&nbsp;was seen leading Australia for the first time in the 2021-22 Ashes. Captaining his national side from the front, the pacer powered his team to beat the Joe Root-led English side by 4-0, claiming 21 wickets in eight innings of four Tests. This time again, the Aussies will bank on their skipper to dominate England.
In 2019, Australia played a fierce brand of cricket and succeeded in levelling the series by 2-2 and retaining the urn. The phenomenal success became possible for the Aussies in the competition due to the spunky performances of Steve Smith, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Starc.
Claiming 29 wickets in 10 innings of five Tests, he ended up becoming the highest wicket-taker in the series. This time, his responsibility will be to give some tough time to England batters with his raw pace and take the distinguished urn back home.

<h3>2. Steven Smith</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1685953011221_Steve-Smith.jpeg" alt="Steve Smith" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Steve Smith. (Photo Source: Alex Davidson/Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/no-glaring-weakness-in-steve-smiths-game-naseer-hussain-raises-alarm-bells-for-england-ahead-of-ashes/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Steve Smith</a> has been in sensational form recently. Riding on his superb batting performance, Australia overpowered India comfortably in the <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-appeal/ind-vs-aus-combined-xi-from-wtc-final-2023-4054/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Test Championship</a> (WTC) final 2023 at The Oval, London. In the massive achievement, Smith contributed 121 and 34 from his bat to help his team vanquish Rohit Sharma and Co.
The aggressive Aussie batter might become a headache for the English side in the upcoming tournament, as the veteran is capable enough to outclass their bowlers with his skills and temperament. In the 2019 Ashes, Smith dominated England bowlers and became the leading run-scorer in the tournament, with 774 runs in seven innings of four Tests. Smith’s overwhelming batting display from that series is still considered one of the best in his vast Test career.
Currently, the 34-year-old is the fifth-highest run-getter in the Ashes, with 3044 runs, including 11 tons and 11 fifties in 56 innings of 32 Tests. Based on his reputation, the visiting side will hope their stalwart to step up in the enormous event and deliver some match-winning batting performances.

<h3>1. Travis Head</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1686559177934_Travis-Head.jpeg" alt="Travis Head" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Travis Head. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>
</figure>
Travis Head’s outstanding performance powered Australia to register an emphatic victory in the World Test Championship (WTC) final. In the first innings, the southpaw chalked up 163 runs off 174 deliveries and hammered India’s bowling attack to put his side in a commanding position. For his standout performance in the marquee event, he also received the Player of the Match award.
His innings against India in the final will be considered one of the best knocks of all time as he bailed Australia out after the fall of three early wickets. Banking on his high confidence, the left-handed batter will now strive to play quality cricket against the arch-rivals England and make this English summer his best.
In the last Ashes edition, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-press-release/steve-smith-travis-head-join-marnus-labuschagne-to-make-rare-1-2-3-in-mens-test-player-rankings/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Head</a> came out as the most successful batter, powering Australia to hand a 4-0 defeat to the Three Lions by scoring a total of 357 runs with a couple of tons and a fifty in six innings of four matches.&nbsp;

For the next one and a half months, England will face a stern challenge from a confident Australian side in<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ashes/" title=" the Ashes 2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> the Ashes 2023</a>. 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.
<h3>Here are the five players to look out for in the first Test at Edgbaston</h3>
<h3>5. Harry Brook</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1671367365240_Harry-Brook.jpeg" alt="Harry Brook" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Harry Brook. (Photo Source: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/harry-brook-is-a-match-winner-in-his-own-right-and-hes-proved-it-already-ian-bell/" title="Harry Brook" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Harry Brook</a>&nbsp;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.

<h3>4. Joe Root</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1677216062392_Joe-Root-vs-NZ.jpeg" alt="Joe Root vs NZ" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Joe Root vs NZ. (Photo by Philip Brown/Popperfoto/Popperfoto via Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
Joe Root will be a key batter for England in the upcoming five-match contest. The English team will heavily rely on him to fare well in the tournament. Since 2021, he has played his part in the team brilliantly with his superb batting performances. In the previous year, the veteran scored 1098 runs with five tons and two fifties in 27 innings of 15 Test matches.
During the New Zealand tour in February, he played a match-winning knock of 57 in the second innings to help his team thump the hosts by 267 runs in the first Test. So far, the right-handed batter has played 29 Tests against the arch-rivals Australia, in which he has racked up 2016 runs with 16 half-centuries and three hundreds in 56 innings of 29 Tests.
In the <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/i-am-probably-going-the-opposite-way-josh-hazlewood-opens-up-on-englands-idea-of-preparing-flat-decks-for-ashes/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ashes</a>, his experience and skills will play a huge role for the Three Lions to counter the dangerous Aussie bowling unit. This year, the 32-year-old has scored 375 runs in five innings of three Tests with a century and three fifties. Noting their batting stalwart’s recent numbers, the English team management will expect him to make a huge contribution with his bat against their arch-rivals.

<h3>3. Pat Cummins</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1686548377896_Pat-Cummins-with-WTC-Mace.jpeg" alt="Pat Cummins with WTC Mace." loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Pat Cummins with WTC Mace. (Photo Source : Gettyimages)</figcaption>
</figure>
<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/pat-cummins-keen-on-achieving-legacy-defining-stuff-in-ashes-post-wtc-victory/" title="Pat Cummins" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pat Cummins</a>&nbsp;was seen leading Australia for the first time in the 2021-22 Ashes. Captaining his national side from the front, the pacer powered his team to beat the Joe Root-led English side by 4-0, claiming 21 wickets in eight innings of four Tests. This time again, the Aussies will bank on their skipper to dominate England.
In 2019, Australia played a fierce brand of cricket and succeeded in levelling the series by 2-2 and retaining the urn. The phenomenal success became possible for the Aussies in the competition due to the spunky performances of Steve Smith, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Starc.
Claiming 29 wickets in 10 innings of five Tests, he ended up becoming the highest wicket-taker in the series. This time, his responsibility will be to give some tough time to England batters with his raw pace and take the distinguished urn back home.

<h3>2. Steven Smith</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1685953011221_Steve-Smith.jpeg" alt="Steve Smith" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Steve Smith. (Photo Source: Alex Davidson/Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/no-glaring-weakness-in-steve-smiths-game-naseer-hussain-raises-alarm-bells-for-england-ahead-of-ashes/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Steve Smith</a> has been in sensational form recently. Riding on his superb batting performance, Australia overpowered India comfortably in the <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-appeal/ind-vs-aus-combined-xi-from-wtc-final-2023-4054/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Test Championship</a> (WTC) final 2023 at The Oval, London. In the massive achievement, Smith contributed 121 and 34 from his bat to help his team vanquish Rohit Sharma and Co.
The aggressive Aussie batter might become a headache for the English side in the upcoming tournament, as the veteran is capable enough to outclass their bowlers with his skills and temperament. In the 2019 Ashes, Smith dominated England bowlers and became the leading run-scorer in the tournament, with 774 runs in seven innings of four Tests. Smith’s overwhelming batting display from that series is still considered one of the best in his vast Test career.
Currently, the 34-year-old is the fifth-highest run-getter in the Ashes, with 3044 runs, including 11 tons and 11 fifties in 56 innings of 32 Tests. Based on his reputation, the visiting side will hope their stalwart to step up in the enormous event and deliver some match-winning batting performances.

<h3>1. Travis Head</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1686559177934_Travis-Head.jpeg" alt="Travis Head" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Travis Head. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>
</figure>
Travis Head’s outstanding performance powered Australia to register an emphatic victory in the World Test Championship (WTC) final. In the first innings, the southpaw chalked up 163 runs off 174 deliveries and hammered India’s bowling attack to put his side in a commanding position. For his standout performance in the marquee event, he also received the Player of the Match award.
His innings against India in the final will be considered one of the best knocks of all time as he bailed Australia out after the fall of three early wickets. Banking on his high confidence, the left-handed batter will now strive to play quality cricket against the arch-rivals England and make this English summer his best.
In the last Ashes edition, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-press-release/steve-smith-travis-head-join-marnus-labuschagne-to-make-rare-1-2-3-in-mens-test-player-rankings/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Head</a> came out as the most successful batter, powering Australia to hand a 4-0 defeat to the Three Lions by scoring a total of 357 runs with a couple of tons and a fifty in six innings of four matches.&nbsp;

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 Champ

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

The Ashes 2023 will kickstart on June 16 at Edgbaston.

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

Here are the five players to watch out for in the first Ashes Test of 2023 between England and Australia.