The Ashes 2023: England mulling over to deploy shorter boundaries to assist 'Bazball' style of play against Australia
The shortest boundary at Edgbaston is 59 metres.
Talking of intense rivalries along with mind games it becomes quite hard for a cricket fan not to think of The Ashes. While the 2023 edition of the coveted Test series between England and Australia in a bid to fight passionately for the 'Urn' is less than two months away, the plotting and mind games have started. If several reports are to be believed, the hosts England are mulling over having shorter boundaries to assist their 'Bazball' style of cricket for the upcoming series against Australia.
Notably, post Brendon McCullum taking over as the head coach and Ben Stokes as the skipper of England's Test set-up, the Three Lions have won 10 out of 12 Tests they have played from last year. While, if we compare the overall run rate difference between the two fierce rivals, the hosts for the Ashes averaged 4.76 runs per over from May 2022, while Australia have kept the scoreboard ticking with 3.56 runs per over. Hence, the hosts are keen to take the short boundary plot to go all out against the world-class Australian bowling lineup in the five-match Test series.
Interestingly enough, the shortest boundary of the venue for the first Test, Edgbaston, is slightly less than 60 metres as compared to Melbourne Cricket Ground's longest boundary which is 84 metres, approximately. As per the International Cricket Council's (ICC) rules, the boundaries must be 59 metres at least from the centre of the playing strip while the boundary ropes should leave ample space for the fielders for their safety while they run around the field which should be between three and ten yards.
'Who cares? Both teams have got to bat' - Clarke on shorter boundary tactic by England for the Ashes
Consequently, in the same vein of a short-boundary ploy, the former Australian skipper, Michael Clarke, believes that this tactic will not help England in any way. The major reason behind it is that both teams have to bat at the same venue and it won't make much of a difference with Australians in the habit of playing on much larger boundaries as compared to English batters. Hence, Clarke finds this idea rather bizarre and utter trash.
“What a load of junk. Australian grounds are twice the size of England grounds anyway. That’s why there’s less sixes from the Australian players. Bat at the MCG you’ve got 90m boundaries, bat in England you’ve got 60m boundaries," Clarke said while speaking on Sky Sports Radio's Big Sports Breakfast.
“Who cares? Both teams have got to bat," he further stated.
Moreover, Clarke also emphasized that England having a group which does not fear losing a match with a skipper and coach who back their players fearlessly should be confident enough to lock horns with Australia. While for the Australian side, the former skipper was seemingly confident that they will do well as the visitors have enough experience to play in English conditions. So, Michael Clarke sees no reason why his country cannot win another Ashes with ample plans and good preparations in place.
Notably, the Ashes opener will kick off at Edgbaston on June 16, 2023.
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