Just like New York stands out among cities, the Ashes stands out among cricket matches—a grand event in the world of cricket.
The familiar scents fill the air, towering buildings loom overhead, but everything feels elevated, taken to a new level.
It begins even before the spectators arrive.
Wise commentators, former captains, and cricket legends exchange knowing glances in the corridors, silently signaling the start of something special.
Throughout the night, a mix of excitement, dread, and nervousness brews in the pit of your stomach—an indescribable feeling.
At around 9 am, the team buses pull up. England players don their bucket hats, closely followed by the Australians.
Amidst boos, shouts like “Have you got your sandpaper, Dave?” and “Broady’s gonna get you!” fill the air.
The Ashes has evolved into a unique blend of cricket and theatrical performance, with David Warner often cast as the obvious villain. It’s a fusion of the Wimbledon traditions and the lively atmosphere of a darts night, all happening at Edgbaston.
The players step onto the field for their warm-ups, or whatever you may call them now. As the crowd slowly fills the stands, England plays their version of football, while Australia engages in their Aussie Rules equivalent.
All players participate, except for Steve Smith, who stares intently at the pitch, pointing and assessing.
TMS podcast: Root hits century as England declare on day one
Follow live text updates, TMS commentary, and in-play clips of day one at Edgbaston.
The tension builds as both captains make their appearance, donning pristine blazers—Ben Stokes in blue and Pat Cummins in green.
The coin toss takes place, and cheers erupt when it falls in England’s favor.
Before the game begins, flames ignite because, well, it’s the Ashes. Sir Alastair Cook, once an active player, now holds the famous urn, flanked by the flickering flames.
“Come on, England!” echoes through the air, starting as a single cry from a Brummie and spreading across the stands.
This spectacle is exclusive to the Ashes; you won’t find it in any other Test match.
And now, the first ball—a moment owned by Australia in the past. Memories of Steve Harmison’s wide, Michael Slater’s boundary, and Rory Burns being bowled by Mitchell Starc resurface.
All three instances were devastating blows to England, leading to demoralizing defeats.
But it doesn’t matter until it does.
Talk to those who have faced the initial Ashes salvo, and they divide into two camps: those who claim it’s just another ball and those who call them bluff.
Some say the atmosphere turns into white noise, while others insist they hear every word, feeling their hearts race in their throats.
This time, it’s Zak Crawley facing Pat Cummins, a man who seems crafted in an Australian factory to deliver lightning-fast bowling, stationed just 30 yards away.
Cummins strides forward, and all eyes follow his every move. Months of anticipation culminate in this moment.
Then comes the release—the explosion of emotions that have built up over weeks of anticipation.
Crawley, standing alone amidst the Baggy Greens, sends the ball flying to the boundary with a resounding crack.
The Hollies stand erupts—fans from all walks of life, united in their support—roaring as if it were a goal that secured a World Cup victory.
Next in line is Josh Hazlewood, another exceptional Australian player. Crawley dispatches him to deep backward square.
Is this for real? Both Australian bowlers conceding boundaries with their first Ashes deliveries? It has never happened before.
But soon comes the reality check as Ben Duckett edges behind and departs.
Yet, the cheers are immediate as Ollie Pope takes his place on the field.
If one falls, another steps up. Birmingham boasts 25,000 fervent believers in Bazball.
The first hour belongs to England, with 66 runs and one Australian wicket. The second hour sees Australia making a comeback.
What does it all mean? Did Australia feel intimidated? The debate will persist throughout the day and carry on when Australia awakens.
The Ashes is a series that never sleeps.
‘Stokes will go full throttle’ – Cook previews day two
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Ashes battle
What is the Ashes?
The Ashes is a highly anticipated cricket series played between England and Australia. It is a Test cricket rivalry that dates back to 1882.
Where does the Ashes take place?
The specific venues for the Ashes series vary, but in this text, the focus is on the Ashes battle taking place at Edgbaston, a cricket ground in Birmingham, England.
What is the atmosphere like during the Ashes?
The atmosphere during the Ashes is electric and intense. It combines the traditions of cricket with a lively and passionate crowd, creating a unique blend of excitement, anticipation, and rivalries between the teams and the fans.
Who are the key players mentioned in the text?
The text mentions several players, including Ben Stokes and Zak Crawley representing England, and Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and David Warner representing Australia. These players are known for their contributions to their respective teams in the Ashes series.
How does the Ashes compare to other cricket matches?
The Ashes is regarded as one of the most prestigious and fiercely contested cricket series in the world. It holds a special place in cricket history and is known for its intense rivalries and thrilling matches between England and Australia.
What is the significance of the first ball in the Ashes?
The first ball of the Ashes is considered a crucial moment in the series. It sets the tone for the match and holds symbolic value. The text references past instances where the first ball had a significant impact on the outcome of the series.
What is the Hollies stand mentioned in the text?
The Hollies stand is a famous stand at Edgbaston cricket ground. It is named after the legendary England cricketer, Wally Hammond, who was known as “The Doctor” or “The King of the Ashes.” The stand is known for its passionate and vocal fans, adding to the lively atmosphere during Ashes matches.
How long has the Ashes series been played?
The Ashes series has a long history and dates back to 1882 when England lost to Australia at The Oval. Since then, the series has been played intermittently, with each team striving to win the urn, symbolizing cricket supremacy between the two nations.
More about Ashes battle
- The Ashes – Wikipedia article providing detailed information about the Ashes cricket series.
- Edgbaston Cricket Ground – Official website of Edgbaston cricket ground, the venue mentioned in the text.
- Ben Stokes – Wikipedia page about Ben Stokes, an influential English cricketer mentioned in the text.
- Zak Crawley – Wikipedia page about Zak Crawley, an English cricketer mentioned in the text.
- Pat Cummins – Wikipedia page about Pat Cummins, an Australian cricketer mentioned in the text.
- Mitchell Starc – Wikipedia page about Mitchell Starc, an Australian cricketer mentioned in the text.
- David Warner – Wikipedia page about David Warner, an Australian cricketer mentioned in the text.
3 comments
wow, dis txt is so cool! Ashes is amazin, a g8 battle btwn England n Australia. Can’t wait 2 c who wins! #excited
I dnt knw much bout crickt bt dis txt got me intrstd! d crowd, d rivalries, d playrs, it all sounds so intns. may b i shud watch d ashes!
ashz iz d best! england vs australia, crickts biggest rivals. always a thrillr. lov d atmosphr n d playrs. go england! #ashes2023