Strap yourself in, the oldest and most prestigious of sporting rivalries is rejoined as England and Australia take the field for the first day of this five-match series for the famous little urn.
England have enjoyed a positive start to the series with only Steve Smith’s idiosyncratic batting frustrating the hosts. With a thrilling World Cup victory for the limited overs team, the stage is set for a memorable summer for the Test side with the likes of Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson (fitness allowing) eager to make best use of home conditions to pressurise the Aussie batting line up.
Edgbaston is the venue and the last Ashes Test to be played here was a brilliant win for England with Anderson and Steven Finn both collecting six-fers in an eight wicket victory.
The Ashes – Thursday on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Cricket.
