The Ashes 2021/22 will start tomorrow morning at The Gabba in Brisbane. Australia will play host to the 5-Test series this year. All five matches will be part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship 2021-23 cycle. Neither England nor Australia made it to the inaugural ICC World Test Championship Final, despite performing well in the Tests between 2019 and 2021.
A series defeats against the Indian cricket team ended the hopes of both teams. England started their new 2021-23 World Test Championship cycle at home with a Test series against the Indian cricket team. Four out of the five matches happened as per the schedule, where the Indian cricket team took a 2-1 series lead. Unfortunately, because of the COVID-19 concerns, the final Test match could not happen.
The organizers have decided to conduct the final Test between the Indian cricket team and the England cricket team next year. Meanwhile, England will now play a series against the Australian cricket team. England will be keen to make up for the points lost in the series against India. Australia, on the other hand, will make a fresh start to the World Test Championship campaign under new captain Pat Cummins.
James Anderson has decided to sit out of the 1st Ashes Test match at The Gabba
Veteran pacer James Anderson played in all home Tests for England in 2021. However, he will miss the Test match at The Gabba because he wants to remain fresh for the day-night Test match at the Adelaide Oval. England named their 12-man squad for The Gabba Test earlier today, and it did not feature the name of James Anderson.
Soon, the team management clarified that there are no injury issues, but Anderson aims to perform well in the Adelaide Test. Also, fans should note that Anderson has played four Test matches at The Gabba, where he has picked up only seven wickets at an average of 75.14. Meanwhile, he has scalped 16 wickets at Adelaide at an average of 29.50.
ECB issued the following statement on Anderson: “Jimmy is fit to play, and is not carrying an injury. With five Tests in six weeks, the plan was to get him ready for the second Test in Adelaide.
