Published: Jul 10, 2013, 03:30 PM (IST)
Edited: Jul 10, 2013, 03:30 PM (IST)
Alastair Cook © Getty Images
Jul 9, 2013
The first Ashes 2013 Test between Alastair Cook-led England and Michael Clarke‘s Australia begins on Wednesday at Trent Bridge. After months of banter and scoreline predictions, the two teams finally begin the five-match Test series with England winning the toss and electing to bat first on a flat Trent Bridge wicket.
Clarke leads a relatively inexperienced side in what promises to be a gruelling series. On the other hand, his counterpart Cook will be buoyed by the fact that his team will start as favourties.
In the lead up to the series, England have seen their side beat India in India, draw against New Zealand in New Zealand and cleansweep them at home whereas, the last time Australia played Tests, they were gunned down 4-0 by India.
However, the past results are of little relevance when the two sides take the field as the stakes are high and the rivalry is intense.
Australia, under coach Darren Lehmann have gone with 19-year-old Ashton Agar ahead of Nathan Lyon while England have a familar look to their line-up
Teams
England: Alastair Cook (c), Joe Root, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Jonathan Bairstow, Matt Prior (wk), Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, Steven Finn, James Anderson.
Australia: Shane Watson, Chris Rogers, Ed Cowan, Michael Clarke (c), Phillip Hughes, Steven Smith, Brad Haddin (wk), Peter Siddle, James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc, Ashton Agar.
Catch our live blog of the first Ashes Test between England and Australia here
