The most intense Test battle is all set to get underway from June 16, when Australia will face arch-rivals England in the Ashes 2023. Notably, the battle is scheduled in England, and both teams have already named their squads for the first two matches of the marquee event.
With just a few days left for the 2023 edition of the Ashes, many cricket experts and former players have picked their best XI for the series. Sri Lanka legend Kumar Sangakkara and New Zealand veteran pacer Simon Doull also joined the list and named their combined Ashes XI ahead of the important clash.
The duo of Sangakkara and Doull revealed their combined XI in an interview with Sky Sports, where they unanimously named Usman Khawaja their opener. However, the second opener spot posed a bit of difficulty between the two agreeing with each other as Doull insisted on Ben Duckett, and Sangakkara wanted Steve Smith to open alongside Khawaja. Nevertheless, the Kiwi commentator went with Sangakkara’s choice of Smith in the end.
On the other hand, the third position in eleven of Sangakkara and Doull was yet again given to an Australian Marnus Labuschagne. England’s Joe Root and Harry Brook grabbed the fourth and fifth spots in the team.
Among all-rounders, Sangakkara and Doull chose English skipper Ben Stokes over Australia’s Cameron Green. They even named Stokes captain of their side. Whereas the wicketkeeper-batter role was given to Jonny Bairstow.
Nathan Lyon was the only spinner to make it to the combined XI of Sangakkara and Doull, with Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and James Anderson being picked as the main pacers.
Sangakkara and Doull combined Ashes XI:
Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jonny Bairstow, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, James Anderson
It is worth mentioning that England recently emerged victorious in their one-off Test against Ireland and will look to carry the momentum in the Ashes. Meanwhile, Australia are currently facing India in the World Test Championship Final 2023 at the Oval in London and will try to use the experience against England in the upcoming Ashes.
