Ashes 2023: 5 Players to Watch Out For

Harry Brook. (Photo Source: Twitter)

The much-awaited Ashes 2023 is around the corner. The five-match Test series between England and Australia is all set to kick-start on June 16. Australia are the current holder of the urn, having thrashed the Three Lions 4-0 the last time the two sides met in 2021-22.

Both heavyweight nations are studded with top-quality players and fans are likely to witness some breathtaking action. As the series approaches nearer, preparations of both sides are in full swing along with some war of words from the players of the arch-rivals. Amidst injury woes and some uncertainties in both the English and the Aussie camp, teams will aim to field their best possible team.

Having said so, England will be looking to keep up with their ‘Bazball’ brand of cricket while Australia will look to repeat the sublime form they showcased during their last visit to the UK shores. Hence, it will not be wrong to say that there are some exciting players who could make all the difference when it will matter the most in the upcoming Ashes Tests.

Let us look at the players to watch out for:

Here are 5 players to watch out for Ashes 2023:

5. Harry Brook

Harry Brook. (Photo Source: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)

Harry Brook is one of the exciting prospects in the England cricketing circles. The 24-year-old has put up an exhibition of his flamboyant stroke play and took top-quality attacks to the cleaners. T20 cricket has been his happy hunting ground, and he has smashed 2622 runs in 110 matches at a strike rate of 146.23.

Brook has been magnificent in the Test arena and has been England’s match-winner with the bat. The ace batter has featured in six matches and piled on 809 runs at a superb average of 80.90, which includes four sensational centuries and three half-centuries.

However, Brook has been in poor batting form of late. In the recently concluded IPL 2023, he could only manage 190 runs in 10 games for Sunrisers Hyderabad at a strike rate of 123.37. The Yorkshire-born would look to make amends for the iconic Test series and put up a show with the bat.

4. Cameron Green

Cameron Green. (Photo Source: Getty Images)

Cameron Green has been up and coming in the Australian cricketing circles. He has featured in 20 matches and scored 941 runs at an average of 37.64. On the bowling front, the 23-year-old has bagged 23 wickets in those outings at an average of 34.30.

Green was phenomenal in the 16th edition of the cash-rich league and took the T20 extravaganza by storm with his batting displays. The ace all-rounder featured in 16 matches and aggregated 452 runs at a stunning strike rate of 160.28, which comprises one century and two half-centuries. Also, he chipped in with five wickets.

Green, with his ability to contribute in both departments, is a valuable asset to any team and his addition brings balance to any side. Therefore, the youngster will be a vital cog of the Australian side in the upcoming Ashes and the ace all-rounder would look to bring his A-game into play against England.

3. Marcus Labuschagne

Marnus Labuschagne. (Photo by Jason McCawley – CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)

Marnus Labuschagne has been a run-bank in the longest format of the game. He has obliterated bowlers with his marauding bat and amassed heaps of runs. The ace batter has featured in 37 Tests and accumulated 3394 runs at an average of 57.52.

Labuschagne has been in a pristine touch of late. The swashbuckling batter has featured in five matches in the ongoing County Championship Division Two 2023 and notched up 502 runs at an astonishing average of 71.71, which comprises two centuries and two half-centuries.

The 28-year-old has been a mainstay of the Australian batting line-up in the Test arena and his form would be key to Australia’s chances in the forthcoming five-match Test series against England. The ace batter is currently thriving in the conditions in England and would be eager to continue with the same in the Ashes.

2. Mitchell Starc

Mitchell Starc of Australia celebrates getting the wicket of James Vince. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Mitchell Starc is one of the finest left-arm pacers in world cricket at the moment. He has rattled batters with his fiery pace and wreaked havoc with the ball. The left-arm pacer has played 110 ODI matches and bagged 219 wickets at an economy of 5.11, which includes nine five-wicket hauls.

Starc has also stamped his authority in the longest format of the game. He has represented the national side on 77 Tests and picked up 306 scalps at an average of 27.52 which consists of 13 five-wicket hauls. He has enjoyed playing against England and has bagged 74 wickets in 18 Tests played.

As Australia bid to retain the urn, Starc would be tasked to set the tone with the new ball. Also, he would be entrusted to strikes at regular intervals. The express pacer would be itching to make a mark with his performances in the forthcoming five-match Test series.

1. James Anderson

James Anderson. (Photo by Darrian Traynor – CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images

England has produced many match-winners but there has been hardly any of the calibre of James Anderson. Regarded as one of the best swing bowlers of all time, the 40-year-old has moved the ball both ways and dismantled batting line-ups for fun.

Anderson is the most successful pacer in the history of Test cricket and picked up a staggering tally of 685 wickets in 179 matches at an average of 25.99. Though the veteran pacer is at an age, many bowlers of the previous generation have retired, he is still leading the England pace attack to perfection.

When England has clashed with Australia, Anderson has breathed fire and tormented bowlers with his swing. He has featured in 35 Tests against the Aussies and taken 112 wickets at an average of 33.76. The Burnley-born would look to put his best foot forward in the forthcoming edition of the Ashes.