2010/11 Ashes was the last time when England secured a series win in Australia, rattling the Aussies 3-1 and battering them with three 'by innings' losses which put several question marks over the once invincible Aussie line-up. As an ageing, injury-battling Australia without their frontline
Former batting stalwart Andrew Strauss was effusive about Ben Stokes and warned the England skipper to be wary of Australia's attempts to get under his skin in the upcoming Ashes, scheduled to commence on Friday at Perth's Optus Stadium.
In the 2010/11 Ashes series in Australia, England won by 3-1, their first series win in Australia against their arch-rivals since 1986-87. However, since then, they have failed to win even a Test in Australia on their next three tours, and now the 'Bazball' powered side led by Ben Stokes, is
Ollie Pope has put the critics to rest, who questioned his position in England's Test setup at number three, by blazing his way to a classy century during an erratic innings in the warm-up game on a slow Lilac Hill surface in Perth.
From his 122 at a tough, cracked and troubling surface at Perth's WACA Stadium back in 2013 in his early 20s, Stokes has come a long way from being a brash, hard-hitting all-rounder to a mastermind behind the chaos that is 'Bazball', alongside the head coach Brendon McCullum. Stokes-McCullum
The star all-rounder, who hadn't played since July due to a shoulder injury, bowled 16 overs across three spells and finished with impressive figures of 6-52. His return is a significant boost for England as they prepare for the Ashes series against Australia, starting on November 21.
However, according to the statement released by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Wood is expected to bowl in two days' time, though he is unlikely to take the field for the remainder of the warm-up action.
Ahead of the Ashes 2025 series against Australia, England captain Ben Stokes praised pacers Jofra Archer and Mark Wood for regaining full rhythm and fitness, saying their pace and energy bring an "X-factor" to the side ahead of the upcoming Test season.
Starc struck early, dismissing four of Victoria's top six batsmen, while his Australia teammate Nathan Lyon chipped in with 2-65, removing the other two top-order batsmen.
Ahead of the opening fixture of the Ashes, England seamer Mark Wood is chomping at the bit to get back on the pitch, feeling the excitement of bowling again after a tedious six months of rehab following knee surgery.