The forthcoming Ashes series, according to Ian Botham, will be crucial for experienced cricketers looking to cement their legacies in the game. Both teams have players in their thirties, according to the former England all-rounder.
Botham believes that these older players will realize that this is their final chance to compete in an Ashes series. David Warner and Nathan Lyon of Australia are 35 and 34 years old, respectively, coming into the Ashes series. James Anderson and Stuart Broad, England’s new-ball bowlers, are both in their late 30s.
Both sides’ top players are nearing the end of their careers, thus this Ashes series could be their “final dance,” according to Ian Botham. With England attempting to reclaim the urn, the 66-year-old forecasts a thrilling series.
“Who knows? This series could decide which side goes on [to win] for the next two or three years. Both sides are soon going to lose key players because of their age. There are a lot of players who are playing, if you like, for the last dance in Ashes cricket.” he said
“It comes to us all, I am afraid, and we all want to have great memories when we get out there. But you are judged whether you are an English player or an Australian. You are judged on your performances in the Ashes. That is why this is going to be a very, very interesting series.” he added
Ashes series in 1981
Botham will be a commentator for the Ashes with Seven, after a great Ashes series in 1981. He’ll be in Brisbane for the inauguration of a statue honoring former Australian captain Allan Border before of the first Test.
“At the end of the day, they are putting a statue outside the Gabba for that guy called Allan Border. He came along and made his presence felt. He was ‘captain grumpy’ but look what we did. Quite rightly, there is a statue going up outside the Gabba and you know what, there should be one outside every Test venue in Australia. He changed Australian cricket when it was at its lowest.” he said
The first Test of the Ashes 2021-22 series will kickstart on December 8th in Brisbane.
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