ASHES 2021 Preview; Anderson to miss the opener

The 2021–22 Ashes begin on Wednesday with the first Test in Brisbane. James Anderson rested from the opening match.

This year's Ashes Test series starts tomorrow (December 8th) in Brisbane, Australia. The series runs until January 18. The Ashes are a biennial series between Australia and England, dating from 1882 to 1883.

Since then, there have been 71 Ashes series. Of these, 33 were won by Australia and 32 by England, while six ended in a draw. The last series in 2019 ended in a 2-2 draw.

Schedule for the Ashes in 2021-22

First Test: December 8–12, 5:00 a.m. IST at The Gabba in Brisbane.

2nd Test: (pink ball, day/night): December 16-20, Adelaide Oval (9:30 AM IST).

3rd Test: December 26-30 at the MCG in Melbourne-5:00 a.m. IST

4th Test: January 5–9, 2022 at Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney–5:00 AM IST

Test squads for Australia vs. England

Australia: Pat Cummins (C), Steve Smith (WK), Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, and David Warner

England: Joe Root (C), James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Haseeb Hameed, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood

James Anderson (Jimmy) to miss the first test

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by James Anderson (@jimmya9)

James Anderson, England's senior fast bowler, will miss the first Ashes Test against Australia, which begins at Gabba tomorrow. The 39-year-old has been rested to reduce his workload, and this is a much-needed rest for Jimmy to prepare for the second Pink Ball Test in Adelaide. Anderson will be replaced in the Gaba Test by Chris Woakes, who will be joined by Stuart Broad.

Jimmy is perfectly healthy and fit to play. He has no injuries. The English Cricket Board said in a statement that Jimmy has been rested to prepare for the second match in Adelaide as he has five Tests to play in six weeks' time, according to the statement.

Thirty-nine-year-old Jimmy Anderson is being cared for by the English Cricket Board. Jimmy was ruled out of the series because of the injury after bowling just four overs in the first Test at Edgbaston in the 2019 Ashes. Anderson, who bowled on the net yesterday, will continue to train. Jimmy will remain with the team even though he is not in the playing XI.