University News Last updated 13 November 2017
Ashes hero Ashley Giles believes talk of an Australia clean sweep in the forthcoming Test Series is wide of the mark and that the Ben Stokes controversy has led to England’s chances being downplayed.
Speaking ahead of the Ashes Talk being held at Birmingham City University’s Royal Birmingham Conservatoire this week (Thursday 16 November), Giles said he believed the two teams were more evenly matched than was being presented.
The former England man also said the controversy surrounding Ben Stokes was contributing to the dismissal of England’s hopes, despite Australia not boasting a vintage team.
Giles will be joined by former England international Jim Troughton and Sky Sports’ Johnny Phillips for a discussion on Ashes past, present and future in front of a live audience.
Ashley Giles said: “A lot of the talk in the run up to the Ashes has marked Australia as the clear favourites but this isn’t the team that beat England 5-0 a few years back, and their side is largely as unsettled as ours.
“The attention on the Ben Stokes controversy has tended to move the focus away from the fact that Australia have a few problems in their team as well and I think there are opportunities there for England if they can adapt to the conditions.
Final tickets for the event are available at www.bcu.ac.uk/ashes and cost £5. Concessions are available for NUS card holders.