It's the time all cricket fans have been waiting for – The Ashes. And while the five tests will be taking place in England, the time zone difference will not be a deterrent for all Aussie cricket fans. Pride and glory (and that little urn) is all on the line, and both teams will be looking to get off on the right foot with a dominant display in the first Test.
Australia had an excellent warm up for The Ashes, putting India in their place at the World Test Championship Final, in England, so they will be coming into this Test with a lot of confidence. England are also coming into The Ashes in fine form, dismantling Ireland earlier in June. But it's pretty safe to say, Australia is on another level compared to Ireland.
Australia have been holding onto The Ashes since 2017 and will be committed to make up for their mistakes in the 2019 series, which saw them draw to retain The Ashes and not win outright. Our cricket experts here at Dabble preview all the important details of this match and provide their best cricket tips:
Match Winner
Just such an exciting series to preview. Australia now has the Test Championship and are up against England who are BazBalled up and accelerate each test significantly with their aggressive batting.
I like the Aussie team that was a big win over England for match fitness and confidence and I like the Aussies balance better the England's especially in regard to spin. Nathan Lyon is still at the peak of his powers and Moen Ali has come out of retirement and has never been a factor against Australia with ball in hand.
Damien Fleming's Expert Cricket Tip: Australia
Top Australian Run Scorer (First Innings)
Guess who? Steven Smith peeled off a sublime 100 against India last week in the Test Championship Final. And just looked in superb form. Add in he scored twin 100’s on the 2019 Tour Birmingham Test. Backing him to go big again, he is the inform batsman.
Damien Fleming's Expert Cricket Tip: Steven Smith
Top English Run Scorer (First Innings)
Joe Root has 11,000 runs at an average of 50. He is a class player who funny enough has embraced Baz Ball and his strike rate has increased remarkably. Average's 60 at Edgbaston as well. What's not to love, think he is in for a big game?
Damien Fleming's Expert Cricket Tip: Joe Root
Top Australian Wicket Taker (First Innings)
It’s Scotty “Bolo” Boland mania at the moment. He can do no wrong. Pace, bounce, accuracy, swing, wobble, seam deliveries. It’s the Boland Boulevard of Bewilderment. You better watch out England, Boland is coming for you.
Damien Fleming's Expert Cricket Tip: Scott Boland
Top English Wicket Taker (First Innings)
The veterans are playing Anderson and Broad but I'm going Ollie Robinson. He's a real handful in English conditions, he constantly hits the seam and makes the ball deviate. A big threat to both right and left handed batsman could have a massive series if he stays fit.
Damien Fleming's Expert Cricket Tip: Ollie Robinson
We told you our cricket tips were on point! If reading our preview for The Ashes Test 1 has got you all fired up, make sure you head on over to the Dabble app, get all your bets sorted and share your thoughts in the Banter channel.
