Ashes 2023 News

The ICC issued clarification after ex-Australia cricketers Ricky Ponting and Glenn McGrath demanded investigation into ball change controversy in fifth Ashes Test claiming it wasn't like-for-like replacement. "We can...confirm all balls are pre-selected before start of every match and when situation calls for it...officials choose...ball...closest to condition of ball...being replaced," ICC said.

Pacer Ollie Robinson believes England has succeeded in their goal of bringing the crowds back to watching Test cricket. "[The Ashes] lived up to every expectation I had...I've had friends...who have never watched cricket before and they loved every bit of it," said Robinson. He added that the team plays to "make kids want to grow up to be us".

The England and Wales Cricket Board shared a video showing Stuart Broad's wickets from his last international series, the 2023 Ashes. Broad was the second-highest wicket-taker in the recently concluded five-match series as he took 22 wickets giving away 625 runs. During the series, Broad became the fifth bowler in history to take over 600 wickets in Test cricket.

England wicketkeeper-batter Ben Foakes, who wasn't included in their squad for the recently-concluded Ashes 2023, has said he's "gutted" over the management's decision to not consider him for the series. "There're no sour grapes, it's just a weird head space...you're where you want to be, performing, [but then] dropped," he said. Jonny Bairstow kept wickets for England in Ashes 2023.

England Head Coach Brendon McCullum said the team "refined" their 'Bazball' strategy during the 2023 Ashes. "Sometimes we'll get the balance wrong with the style we play...the most pleasing aspect is...we stayed true...and were able to...walk away at 2-2," said McCullum. He said it is "important" to have teams that can make England "pay" for getting their strategy wrong.

Former England pacer Steve Harmison said he would have "loved to see" James Anderson retire at the end of Ashes 2023 alongside teammate Stuart Broad. "Not sure how long I see Jimmy holding out for...going out at the top against Australia is...the best way to go," said Harmison. He added that Anderson missed the "zip" in his bowling during Ashes.

Talking about the issue of slow over-rate in cricket, ex-Australia cricketer Brad Hogg said umpires have to be more "ruthless" to deal with it. "DRS reviews can waste a couple of minutes so fielders, batters get into position while third umpire is making the decision," he stated. England were fined 19 WTC points for maintaining slow over-rate in Ashes 2023.

ECB have shared a video showing the behind-the-scenes footage of the day when England pacer Stuart Broad announced his retirement from international cricket. After Day 3 of the fifth and final Ashes 2023 Test, Broad announced that he'll retire from cricket at the end of the match. The video shared by ECB shows Broad's interviews and press conference.

Talking about his retirement from international cricket, former England pacer Stuart Broad said he has no regrets. "Finishing [in front of] my family...in the way I did was special...always wanted to leave the game loving it," he added. Broad smashed a six on the final ball he faced and then picked a wicket on the last ball of his career.

Former England pacer Stuart Broad said the points deduction for slow over-rate "diminishes the relevance of the World Test Championship". "For England to come out (of the Ashes) with nine points from a possible 60, the system's wrong and needs looking at," said Broad. England were penalised 19 WTC points for maintaining a slow over-rate during the recently concluded Ashes.

Cricket Australia has shared a video showing the Australian team chanting and celebrating after retaining Ashes 2023. Australia won the first two matches of the series while England won the third and fifth match. The fourth match, which was affected by rain, ended in a draw. Pacer Mitchell Starc was the highest wicket-taker in the series with 23 wickets.

Responding to an X user's question about "Ashes being squeezed in to accommodate The Hundred", ex-England cricketer Geoffrey Boycott said, "Cricket is run by Suits, only thing they are interested in is money." The opening Test of Ashes 2023 started five days following the conclusion of WTC final. The Hundred started a day after the Ashes concluded on July 31.

Australia's David Warner took to X to wish the Australian women's football team luck before their 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup semi-final against England. "Keep an eye...in case Poms ask to change...ball," he jokingly added. A controversy erupted over ball being changed during Australia's second innings of fifth Ashes 2023 Test which they lost. Ricky Ponting had questioned the decision.

Talking about Lord's Long Room members being involved in a verbal fight with Australian cricketers during the final day of Ashes 2023's Lord's Test, Australia batter Usman Khawaja said, "I couldn't believe what was said." "I'll always stand up for myself. People take my politeness as a weakness but if you come for me, I'll come right back," he added.

Ex-Australia captain Ricky Ponting has said England's 'Bazball' approach in Ashes 2023 probably had some of the Australian players and coaches "scratching their heads" at times during the series. "There was a lot of talk...would Bazball style stand up against the quality of the Australian attack, looking back, it probably did," added Ponting. The series ended in a 2-2 draw.

Talking about Lord's Long Room members being involved in verbal fight with Australian cricketers during final day of Ashes 2023's Lord's Test, Australia Test captain Pat Cummins said, "Maybe I've become immune." "The worse they carried on the more I realised it doesn't matter because they look like pork chops. If I felt there was...truth...it might've been different," he added.

Discussing English wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Bairstow's run-out after he casually walked out of crease during Ashes 2023's Lord's Test, Australia batter Marnus Labuschagne said, "Bairstow was steaming. Absolutely steaming." "Bairstow was like, 'Are you guys happy with that?'. David Warner...[spat] out his chicken and said, 'Yeah, very'," he added. "Bairstow didn't have lunch," stated Labuschagne.

Australian pacer Scott Boland said the Australian team would get "crucified" if they register a 2-2 draw in a series at home just like England recorded while facing Australia at home in Ashes 2023. "I don't think the crowd would hang around at all [if we record a 2-2 draw in a home series]," reacted Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood.