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Ashes 2023: Three English players who may be playing their last chapter of the glittering rivalry

This Year Ashes Will Begin on June 16th At Edgbaston

Ashes 2023: The Ashes is probably the most prestigious cricket series as far as the longest format is concerned. It is the dream of every aspiring cricketer from England or Australia to be a part of the Ashes.

While one can become a hero overnight by performing in this series, poor performances in the Ashes have also been the reason behind the early retirement of many cricketing greats, such as Kevin Pietersen. This year’s Ashes is set to begin on June 16th at Edgbaston. The series will continue for over a month and finish on July 23.

Australia has already announced their 17-player squad for the series, whereas the cricket fraternity is yet to know when England will announce their squad. The last time the English team won the Ashes was way back in 2015. One can easily assume that the English players will be fired up to reclaim the trophy once again. Due to various factors, this can be the last ashes series for a few English players, We will have a look at those names below:

1)  Ashes 2023 may be Stuart Broad’s swansong

The 36-year-old right-arm fast bowler has bagged the most wickets for England in the Ashes. Broad has garnered 131 wickets in the Ashes, including a ten-wicket haul and eight fifers. The veteran pacer’s current form is also encouraging, as he picked up 10 wickets in two tests against New Zealand on their home soil.

Broad is a crucial cog in the English wheel and can be absolutely lethal in swinging conditions. However, as time moves on, age and fitness will always be an issue with him, and chances are slim that he will don the jersey for England in the next ashes.

2) James Anderson may be knitting together his final dance in Ashes 2023

The 40-year-old veteran fast bowler is the most successful bowler for England in the longest format. The lanky pacer has 685 test wickets to his name, which includes three 10-wicket hauls and thirty-two fifers. Anderson has a truckload of experience bowling in English conditions, and in his heyday, he can be a menace for the Australian batters.

However, fitness will be a major concern for the 40-year-old. Last time in the 2019 ashes, he was ruled out in the middle of the series due to a calf injury. Also, considering the age factor, it is evident that he is in the last phase of his career, and it is unlikely that we will see him in the next Ashes.

3) Ben Stokes can very well be on his way out

The current Test captain of the England team is one of the greatest all-rounders in the history of cricket. England started to play much more aggressive cricket as soon as Stokes became the test captain; needless to say, coach Brendon McCullum also had a fair amount of role in this.

The southpaw batter can score crucial, impactful knocks with the bat, which can change the course of the match. Who can forget his match-winning, unbeaten 135 against the Aussies at Headingley in 2019. At the same time, he can pick wickets at crucial junctures. Stokes retired from ODIs early as he felt playing in all three formats was no longer sustainable for him, so it won’t be a surprise if he doesn’t continue till the next Ashes as he seems to prefer quality over quantity.

 

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