The teams will go head to head in five test matches
Tomorrow sees the start of the biggest test match in cricket: The Ashes.
The sides will meet in five test matches to decide who has the right to lift the tiny urn, which reputedly contains the ashes of a cricket bail.
The last series was held in Australia in 2006/07, and was won by the Aussies 5-0.
The 122-year rivalry will again get underway at Sofia Gardens in Cardiff tomorrow, when the venue will host its first ever England Test match.
England head into the series with a new-look squad, led by the captain-coach combination of Andrew Strauss and Andy Flower.
Australia also have a new-look side which includes a number of untried bowlers, with senior fast bowler Brett Lee ruled out of the first two tests with a rib injury.
Ricky Ponting has some notably absentees from the last Ashes meeting, including the likes of Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Adam Gilchrist who have all retired.
However, while there are many who question the pedigree of the Australian bowling attack, few can dismiss the threat posed by the Aussies bating line-up
New-boy opener Phillip Hughes has made two centuries in his first three Tests, with numbers three, four and five – Ponting, Mike Hussey and Michael Clarke – all averaging more than 47 in recent test matches.
England only announced their squad on Sunday, and the line up saw the inclusion of Ian Bell and Graham Onions.
National selector Geoff Miller commented, “We were delighted with the way in which the team performed in the warm-up match at Edgbaston and it was very encouraging to see Andrew Flintoff bowl so well on his return to the side.
“Graham Onions has made an excellent start to his Test career and gives us a different option when we consider the make-up of our bowling attack and the type of conditions we will encounter.
“Ian Bell has performed well in county cricket this summer and he will act as cover batsman for this Test match should any of our established batsmen be unavailable through injury.
The tiny urn is the trophy both teams are fighting for
“There is healthy competition for places in our starting line-up at present and the strong performance by the England Lions against Australia at Worcester demonstrated that we are starting to develop a larger squad of players who can compete effectively with international class players.�
You can watch all the action live on Sky Sports from 10am tomorrow morning.
Teams
England (probable): A Strauss (capt), A Cook, R Bopara, K Pietersen, P Collingwood, M Prior (wkt), A Flintoff, S Broad, G Swann, J Anderson, G Onions.
Australia (probable): R Ponting (capt), P Hughes, S Katich, M Hussey, M Clarke, M North, B Haddin (wkt), M Johnson, N Hauritz, S Clark, P Siddle.
npower Ashes Test series dates
Wed 8–Sun 12 July: 1st npower Test, Cardiff
Thu 16–Mon 20 July: 2nd npower Test, Lord’s
Thu 30 July–Mon 3 Aug: 3rd npower Test, Edgbaston
Fri 7–Tue 11 Aug: 4th npower Test, Headingley Carnegie
Thu 20–Mon 24 Aug: 5th npower Test, The Brit Oval
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