The Ashes 2021-22 start on December 8 with 1st Test in Brisbane.
Chris Woakes said that the racism and sexting scandals that have affected England and Australia are personal matters and should not be used for sledging and as part of on-field banter during the upcoming Ashes 2021-22, starting on December 8 in Brisbane.
Both England and Australia's teams are dealing with racism and sexting scandals respectively, and these serious issues have overshadowed preparations for the opening Test of the upcoming Ashes series.
England arrived in Australia following Azeem Rafiq’s detailed allegations of institutional racism he experienced at England captain Joe Root’s Yorkshire and how the problem has spread across the entire English cricket, while the hosts were shocked by Tim Paine’s resignation over the sexting scandal.
Australia, on the other hand, was rocked as captain Tim Paine quit as skipper a few weeks before the Ashes is to begin after his sexting scandal from 2017 came back to haunt him. He then took a mental health break, leading to CA naming Pat Cummins the new Australia Test captain with Steve Smith as his deputy.
Woakes told reporters, “I think what's happened in both camps, a lot of the issues are personal and cricket is played best when that sort of stuff is left to the side and we let the skills do the talking, which I'm sure will happen. Whatever goes on the field, goes on the field, and the Ashes raises that rivalry.”
He further added, “But in my experience, playing in three Ashes series, it's not overstepped the line once when I've been around. I don't see it being any different. I'm sure the cricket will be hard-fought, as it always is, and will be good to watch.”
Notably, the preparations for both sides have also been hampered by rain ahead of the Ashes opener, with England's three-day practice match washed out last week and then the opening two days of their four-day game this week.
However, England finally got some red-ball action at Peter Burge Oval on Thursday against the touring England Lions before the first Test.
Australia also called off play in its planned intra-squad fixture and completed an indoor net session at the National Cricket Centre to prepare for the first Test in Brisbane on December 8.
(With AFP Inputs)