Felix White, a musician, author, and co-host of the BBC’s Tailenders podcast, shares his insights on the highly anticipated men’s Ashes in his inaugural column for Sport Newes Center this summer. He explores the unique blend of excitement and unease surrounding the clash between an ominous yet oddly serene Australia and England’s entertaining cricketing style.
Can we recall a more peculiar and simultaneously thrilling Ashes build-up in recent memory? The customary lighthearted banter that accompanies cricket’s ultimate rivalry seems eerily absent this year. If you’ve ventured into the quietness of the past months, searching for the usual trivial point-scoring exchanges, you might have noticed a shift towards existential concerns. Instead of Ashes-related discussions, there are now alarming debates and heartfelt speeches questioning the future of Test cricket and how to preserve it.
Thankfully, amidst this fog of uncertainty, a momentous series is about to unfold, starting with the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston on Friday. The presence of a formidable Australian Test team and an English side eager to prove themselves sharpens the anticipation.
For most of us, childhood memories of facing the Australians evoke images of fierce opponents stationed at slip, eagerly awaiting catches that they seemingly gobble up effortlessly. If the camera panned across the cordon, one might have imagined the inclusion of Bowser, Shredder, Darth Vader, and every other despised fictional villain. That’s how we were conditioned to perceive them, and it’s what we still expect.
Therefore, it feels disorienting to encounter an Australian squad brimming with an altruistic sense of purpose this year. Some of them arrived earlier than necessary, even as the Indian Premier League continued elsewhere, opting for a summer of county cricket with sparsely populated grounds. They have acclimatized humbly, occasionally stepping away from the game and wearing jumpers in the freezing outfield, without causing a fuss.
Each Australian player emits a distinct glow. Marnus Labuschagne tweets things that I often refrain from sharing myself, fearing they would sound like a primary school assignment on my favorite hobby. “I just love cricket” is pinned to his Twitter profile. Captain Pat Cummins apologizes to those he hits with bouncers, while Steve Smith’s collection of nervous tics during his setup now seems like an act of defiance in favor of the longer form of the game.
Cameron Green displays a peculiar humility while diving to his left and right, taking game-defining catches. Scott Boland, who has waited patiently throughout his adult life, now possesses a bowling average of 14.57 from eight Tests but remains uninterested in claiming credit for it. Even David Warner approaches the game with an unsettling perspective, speaking humbly and offering praise to Stuart Broad in a recent interview for Test Match Special with Isa Guha.
Then we have Travis Head, reaching a career pinnacle after being named man of the match in the World Test Championship final. The Australian handlebar mustache, often associated with halcyon years for those who wear it, has found its way to Head’s upper lip, cementing his place in cricketing folklore. His ominous form against India at The Oval, combined with his affable off-field persona, creates a juxtaposition that is hard to ignore.
However, Australia isn’t the only team arriving with a newfound perspective. Ben Stokes’ revelation that cricket should be fun has propelled England to great heights in a remarkably short period. They may even believe they have the power to single-handedly rescue Test cricket if they so choose.
As Stokes and his England side have made abundantly clear, entertainment takes precedence over everything else. They prioritize entertainment over winning, caution, received wisdom, and even the short-term goal of surviving the next hour. Stokes has already outlined his own cinematic arc for what lies ahead, leaving us to wonder how many times we’ll hear the phrase “Ben Stokes writes his own scripts” this summer.
During the Ireland match, Stokes ensured to clutch his troublesome knee and grimace frequently, hobbling around after taking a catch while refraining from bowling a ball. This led us all to worry and revise XIs on our phones in an attempt to “balance” the side. And just when we’ve wasted enough time doing so, he posts a photo of himself bowling flat out from an undisclosed location in Scotland.
“We want fast, flat wickets,” he revealed to Nasser Hussain in early April, with the lighting dramatically highlighting one side of his face. He paused, allowing everyone to recall Headingley 2019, before adding, “I’m smiling because I’m looking forward to it.”
Stokes has also brought in Moeen Ali, likely because of the excitement and unpredictability he brings to the game. Let’s be honest, whenever Moeen bats, we find ourselves dropping everything just to watch him.
The return of Jonny Bairstow alone guarantees a thrilling spectacle. As he takes the gloves, his own sense of destiny aligns once again with his rightful place in the cricketing world.
And let’s not forget Jimmy Anderson, spearheading England’s Ashes attack at the age of 40 and needing 15 more wickets to reach 700 in Tests. It’s a testament to his skill and longevity.
As Australia became the world Test champions at The Oval on Sunday, a rare stillness descended upon the crowd, momentarily detaching them from their dreams and aspirations. This stillness was felt across the nation, from an English perspective, as Boland dismissed Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja in the same over, followed by Mitchell Starc dismissing Umesh Yadav with a sharp delivery that fended off his throat, resulting in a catch for Alex Carey. In that moment, we pondered, “Do we truly desire fast, flat pitches?” And just like that, cricket took center stage, occupying our thoughts as the impending drama unfolds session by session, hour by hour, while our lives attempt to keep pace alongside it. The sheer joy of passionately caring about something seemingly trivial becomes a precious gift.
As we immerse ourselves in this seven-week cricket extravaganza, we must acknowledge Stuart Broad’s unwavering commitment to the Ashes tradition. He dismisses the last Ashes, the Australian 4-0 victory, as inconsequential due to the pandemic. Additionally, he teases a new delivery that he claims is specifically designed to challenge Labuschagne and Smith.
The audacity of Broad’s suggestion, that an almost certainly imaginary trick might consume our minds with nothing but cricket, should be enough to captivate us for the next seven weeks at least.
Regardless of where you are, enjoy the spectacle at Edgbaston and savor every moment of it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Entertainment
What is the Ashes 2023?
The Ashes 2023 refers to the highly anticipated cricket series between England and Australia, known for its intense rivalry and historic significance.
Who is Felix White?
Felix White is a musician, author, and co-host of the BBC’s Tailenders podcast. He is also a sports commentator and provides analysis on cricket matches.
What is the focus of this text?
The text focuses on analyzing the clash between an ominous Australian team and England’s entertainers in the Ashes 2023. It explores the contrasting styles of play and the anticipation surrounding the series.
Why is entertainment emphasized in England’s approach?
England, led by Ben Stokes, prioritizes entertainment in their approach to cricket. They believe that playing cricket should be enjoyable and aim to provide exciting and entertaining performances for the audience.
What is the significance of the Ashes rivalry?
The Ashes rivalry is one of the oldest and most intense in cricket. It originated in 1882 when Australia defeated England on English soil for the first time. The series is played in both countries and holds great prestige and historical value in the cricketing world.
How is Australia perceived differently in this Ashes series?
In this Ashes series, Australia is seen as displaying a more altruistic and humble approach. Players like Marnus Labuschagne and Pat Cummins have shown a sense of purpose and respect for the game, contrasting the traditional fierce and gloating image associated with Australian cricket.
What can be expected from the Ashes 2023 series?
Fans can expect a thrilling seven-week cricket extravaganza filled with intense battles, exceptional performances, and captivating moments. The clash between Australia and England, each with their unique styles and motivations, promises an exciting contest for cricket enthusiasts.
