Bazball can lift mood of the nation, says England legend Gower

David Gower is backing Bazball to emulate the impact of the 2005 and 1981 Ashes and lift the mood of the nation if England can regain the urn this summer. The most hotly-anticipated series for some time got underway at Edgbaston on Friday, with Ben Stokes' and Brendon McCullum's bold new side looking to win the Ashes back for the first time since 2017. Ad Pat Cummins' Australia dominated the last series Down Under but England have been on a transformative journey since then under the new leadership of captain Stokes and coach McCullum.

CricketTopley hungrier than ever after World Cup heartbreak32 MINUTES AGO Gower, who featured in England's storied 1981 triumph and watched Michael Vaughan's side seal a dramatic victory in 2005, says this summer could have a similar impact on the British public but warned the hosts will face a stern test against Australia's razor-sharp seam attack. «Each and every Ashes series is special, and each and every man or woman that plays in an Ashes series is aware of a lot of history, that huge competitive edge that comes with it,» said Gower. «I have been part of Ashes series such as 1981, I watched the 2005 series, where the fate of the Ashes determines the mood of the nation, it's an extraordinary thing.

»In '81, there were all sorts of things going wrong around the country that year but somehow the fact we beat Australia, God knows how, Botham, Willis, the great men, it just lifted everyone. «England are on the absolute crest of a very big wave after the last 12 months. »It has been a transformative time, I take my hat off and kneel before Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum.

«They have been brilliant but this is a big test. They all knew this would be the big test. »You have got slightly