The Ashes 2023: England and Australia prepare for a 'summer of love'

Location: Edgbaston Dates: June 16-20Coverage: Live text commentary and video as clips play on the BBC Sport website and app, as well as BBC Test Match Special on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra. Daily Today at the Test highlights on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer from 7.00pm BST their hands to the Urn of Ashes at The Oval at the end of July, they will be holding a (replica) romantic gift.
The concept of the Ashes was formed by a bogus obituary in an English newspaper in the summer of 1882, but it wasn't until the winter following in Australia that a real prize has emerged.
Australian Florence Morphy offered the small terracotta urn to England captain Ivo Bligh as a trophy and symbol of his love. The couple would eventually marry, while the two rival teams had something tangible to compete for.
Au During the 140-year interval, England and Australia have become bitter enemies. Three Lions and Baggy Greens come together at regular intervals to measure their cricketing excellence and celebrate all our likes and dislikes about each other.
In Edgbaston on Friday, the perfect dance partners take the floor again.
Eighteen months ago in a series that ended with Ollie Robinson playing closer to square leg than his own stumps, the distance between the two teams seemed every inch the 10,000+ miles between London and Sydney.
In the Aftermath of the 4-0 defeat below, England were accused of having a drinking culture and playing too much golf. Now, with 11 wins in 13 Tests, they've prepared for this series with a golf trip and a few drinks.
The change came from the kiss of life given to English Test cricket by Captain Stokes and Coach Brendon McCullum. With fun, fearlessness and a huge dollop of bravery, they made England the most exciting team in cricket, perhaps in all of sport. The prospect of England meeting new world champions Australia creates the most tantalizing Ashes series in years.
Intrigue abounds, including whether England can fight their way to success against an Australian bowling attack that is pound-for-pound the best on the planet.
But to question the English method would be to miss the point. For them, aggression is not a choice, it is a necessity. This is how they play because it is their best chance to succeed.

Sports Jun 16, 2023 0 44 Add to Reading List

The Ashes 2023: England and Australia prepare for a 'summer of love'

Location: Edgbaston Dates: June 16-20Coverage: Live text commentary and video as clips play on the BBC Sport website and app, as well as BBC Test Match Special on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra. Daily Today at the Test highlights on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer from 7.00pm BST their hands to the Urn of Ashes at The Oval at the end of July, they will be holding a (replica) romantic gift.

The concept of the Ashes was formed by a bogus obituary in an English newspaper in the summer of 1882, but it wasn't until the winter following in Australia that a real prize has emerged.

Australian Florence Morphy offered the small terracotta urn to England captain Ivo Bligh as a trophy and symbol of his love. The couple would eventually marry, while the two rival teams had something tangible to compete for.

Au During the 140-year interval, England and Australia have become bitter enemies. Three Lions and Baggy Greens come together at regular intervals to measure their cricketing excellence and celebrate all our likes and dislikes about each other.

In Edgbaston on Friday, the perfect dance partners take the floor again.

Eighteen months ago in a series that ended with Ollie Robinson playing closer to square leg than his own stumps, the distance between the two teams seemed every inch the 10,000+ miles between London and Sydney.

In the Aftermath of the 4-0 defeat below, England were accused of having a drinking culture and playing too much golf. Now, with 11 wins in 13 Tests, they've prepared for this series with a golf trip and a few drinks.

The change came from the kiss of life given to English Test cricket by Captain Stokes and Coach Brendon McCullum. With fun, fearlessness and a huge dollop of bravery, they made England the most exciting team in cricket, perhaps in all of sport. The prospect of England meeting new world champions Australia creates the most tantalizing Ashes series in years.

Intrigue abounds, including whether England can fight their way to success against an Australian bowling attack that is pound-for-pound the best on the planet.

But to question the English method would be to miss the point. For them, aggression is not a choice, it is a necessity. This is how they play because it is their best chance to succeed.