Former Australian cricket team captain Steve Waugh has predicted that the upcoming Ashes series between Australia and England will be a closely contested battle. In a post on Instagram, Waugh predicted that Australia would emerge victorious with a 3-2 scoreline. He also picked Alex Carey as the Player of the Series and predicted that Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon would come out on top in the key match-up against Harry Brook.
Waugh, who has the second-most appearances in Ashes Tests, emphasized the significance of the historic Test series, calling it a chance for players to write their own story and be a part of the folklore and history of this great contest.
Alex Carey, who was instrumental in Australia’s victory in the recently concluded World Test Championship final against India, has impressive Test numbers, averaging almost 35 in 20 matches. Carey will be facing tough competition from England’s Harry Brook, who had an excellent start to his Test career with an average of 81.80 in seven matches.
Nathan Lyon, who was the leading wicket-taker in the recently concluded WTC cycle, is one to watch out for in the Ashes. The off-spinner has 487 Test wickets, including 101 scalps in 28 Tests against England. Brook, who appears unfazed by the challenge, has vowed to take on Lyon and try to hit him for four or six.
The much-anticipated Ashes series between arch-rivals Australia and England begins on June 16 at Edgbaston. The two teams last met down under in the 2021/22 series, with Australia emerging victorious with a 4-0 scoreline. With both teams boasting strong line-ups, cricket fans around the world can look forward to an enthralling battle for the urn.
