England have not beaten Australia in the Ashes since 2015 but the new tactics implemented by Brendon McCullum and skipper Ben Stokes has excited one and many as England enter the first Test at the Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham on Friday, June 16, as favourites.
Australia have dominated their opponents, losing twice and drawing once. Their 2-2 draw came at home in 2019, in between their losses away from home with scorelines of 4-0 in both 2017-18 and 2021-22.
But with Stokes as skipper of the Test side, England have 11 wins in 13 Tests and a reason for their success is the aggressive intent that the Bazball approach has introduced to the batter's game. The captain wants to take this momentum when they take the field at the Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham on Friday.
“I can't see many draws simply because of the way England are playing, they're trying to take the draw out of the equation,” Hussain told The ICC Review. “Australia in Australia, England have got hammered. Australia in England, Australia haven't won here, won an Ashes series since 2001, but they've always been close.
“I'm going to go 3-2 to England.”
England have revealed their playing XI for the first Test and they have James Anderson and Ollie Robinson in the team. The presence of Robinson will benefit the team hugely, believes the former England skipper. “If you look at any cricket Ollie Robinson has played, it has been phenomenal,” Hussain said.
“His County stats, his international stats, home, away, Dukes ball, Kookaburra ball. He just takes wickets for fun. If he's fit, keep an eye on Ollie Robinson. He has really burst on the scene. Doesn't go for many runs, is accurate and bowls a good length for England. It's just part of the build-up. The battle doesn't start until that first ball goes down really,” he added.
“Predictions and banter, and to and fro chat… you may talk the talk, but make sure you go out there and walk the walk is basically the principle in Ashes battle.”
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