ASHES 2023

'That's what the bazball is' - Fans react as Zak Crawley starts Ashes 2023 with first-ball four off Pat Cummins

Zak Crawley struck the first ball of Ashes 2023 for a boundary off Pat Cummins' bowling at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Friday.

author-image
Rohit Kumar
New Update
Ashes 2023

Ashes 2023 (Source: Twitter)

The much-awaited Ashes 2023 kicked off in style as England opener Zak Crawley sent the first ball of the innings to the boundary. The first Test of the five-match series began on Friday, June 16, at Edgbaston in Birmingham, and Crawley wasted no time in showing the crowd what kind of approach they will have throughout the tournament.

The Australian skipper, Pat Cummins, delivered the right-hander a full and wide delivery outside the off stump, which most of the openers will leave. But Crawley decided to go with the 'bazball' strategy and hit it hard through extra cover for a boundary, stunning England captain Ben Stokes and the spectators.

Watch the video below:Β 

The video went viral on social media, as fans recalled the first ball of the Ashes 2021-22, when Aussie speedster Mitchell Starc made an electrifying start to the series with a first-ball wicket. Starc bowled a peach of a delivery to dismiss Rory Burns on a duck. However, things have changed since Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum took the leadership positions as England took an aggressive approach in Test cricket.

Australia drops Mitchell Starc for the first Test

Meanwhile, Australia dropped Starc from the playing XI of the first Test of the Ashes 2023. The decision to drop the left-arm pacer shocked everyone as Starc had played crucial role in previous Ashes and was impressive in the WTC 2023 final against India.

"One change, Mitch Starc out, Hazlewood comes in. Tough call, Starc was really good last game but good to have someone like Hazlewood come in. Tough to manage the workloads, we’ll assess things week by week, but that is a good problem to have,” Cummins said after losing the toss.

Australia and England’s starting XIs for the first Ashes Test

Australia (Playing XI): David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey(w), Pat Cummins(c), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland

England (Playing XI): Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes(c), Jonny Bairstow(w), Moeen Ali, Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson, James Anderson

Here's how fans reacted:Β 

England Australia Ashes