Every match from the men's and women's Ashes this June and July will be broadcast live on Sky Sports; watch the opening men's Test live from Edgbaston from June 16-20 on Sky Sports Cricket
Thursday 27 April 2023 09:04, UK
England fast bowler Stuart Broad wants the team to replicate the success of the 2005 Ashes series when they host Australia in the summer and inspire fans across the country.
England regained the famous urn for the first time in 18 years in 2005 with a 2-1 series victory, which is widely rated among the team's greatest achievements in the longest format.
"I just want the whole series to grip the nation and inspire kids the way 2005 did," Broad told the Daily Mail on Wednesday.
"I want our players to take positive options at all times and if there's a day we get bowled out for a 100, it is what it is. As long as the next day we come back with the same intent and become even more aggressive and entertain even more."
England have won 10 of their last 12 Tests under captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon "Baz" McCullum, with their high-risk, high-reward 'Bazball' style proving both entertaining and successful.
"The mindset of the group and what Baz [Brendon McCullum] has brought in is that the result's irrelevant. It's entertainment we're here for," Broad added.
"I think the biggest compliment I can give is that part of me wishes I was 23. Part of me wishes I was learning my trade in this environment. I learnt under Andy Flower who made me a pretty tough cricketer and strong character.
"But imagine being Harry Brook now and coming in with that freedom and backing? There will be lots of Test cricketers from the 90s wishing they'd had this sort of backing."
England's five-Test Ashes series will take place in June and July, with the full schedule confirmed for both the men and women as they bid to hit back against Australia at home.
Stokes will lead England for the first time in an Ashes series, with the hosts looking to regain the urn for the first time since 2015, and - after a four-day Test against Ireland - it will all begin at Edgbaston on June 16.
The series will then move onto Lord's (June 28-July 2) and Headingley (July 6-10), the scene of Stokes' 2019 heroics, before finishing at Emirates Old Trafford (July 19-23) and The Kia Oval (July 27-31).
Every match from the men's and women's Ashes will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. You can also follow videos and over-by-over text commentary across Sky Sports' digital platforms.
