In what has been the latest development as per the reports in the Times, it is learned that England selectors are in talks with skipper Ben Stokes to open the innings in the upcoming Ashes 2023 against Australia.
The move possibly can be made so that skipper Ben Stokes can go after the bowlers right from the ball 1 and keep their Bazball concept intact. It can also be made to accumulate both Harry Brook and Jonny Bairstow in the team in the middle order.
Ben Stokes has opened the innings just once in his Test career. He had a successful outing that time around as he blasted 78 runs in just 57 balls against West Indies in July 2020. If he comes to open the batting, England might potentially be off the flying start, considering his ability to take the bowlers to the cleaners from the ball 1.
The fun moments between CSK players.
Ben Stokes – Terrible Music?! 😂 pic.twitter.com/T3RQDWpCQ7
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 17, 2023
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Ashes 2023 will begin on 16th June in Edgbaston, which will be followed by the second game on 28th June at Lord’s. The third game of the Ashes 2023 will be played on July 6th in Leeds whereas the last two games are slated to take place on July 19th and July 27th on Manchester and the Oval respectively.
Ashes 2023: Allan Border not impressed with England likely to open with Ben Stokes
Former Australian cricketer Allan Border however wasn’t impressed with the reports suggesting that England might push Ben Stokes up the order. He said that why they have to expose him to a new ball when they have other options. Speaking to Fox Cricket, he said:
“Stokes is such a good player, I don’t know whether I’d be throwing him into that situation. Why expose him to the new ball when you don’t have to? He can win games from anywhere I suppose, but we saw in (2019) how dangerous he is down the order and with the tail.”
It remains to be seen if the English team will ask skipper Ben Stokes to open the innings in the Ashes 2023 or not.
