SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australia and England have enjoyed a fierce cricketing rivalry for over 140 years. The latest edition of the clash known as the Ashes starts in Perth on Friday.
WHY IS THE SERIES CALLED THE ASHES?
WHY IS THE RIVALRY SO PASSIONATE?
WHERE, WHEN AND AT WHAT TIME DO THE MATCHES TAKE PLACE?
First test November 21-25 Perth 10:30 a.m. (0230 GMT)
Second test December 4-8 Brisbane 02:30 p.m. (0430 GMT)
Third test December 17-21 Adelaide 10:30 a.m. (0000 GMT)
Fourth test December 26-30 Melbourne 10:30 a.m. (2330 GMT)
Fifth test January 4-8 Sydney 10:30 a.m. (2330 GMT)
WHO'S PLAYING AND WHO IS GOING TO WIN?
AUSTRALIA
World ranking: 1
Captain: Pat Cummins (Steve Smith to deputise in first test)
Coach: Andrew McDonald
Top-ranked test batter: Steve Smith (4)
Top-ranked test bowler: Pat Cummins (4)
First test squad: Steve Smith (captain), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey, Jake Weatherald, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Brendan Doggett.
ENGLAND
World ranking: 2
Captain: Ben Stokes
Coach: Brendon McCullum
Top-ranked test batter: Joe Root (1)
Top-ranked test bowler: Gus Atkinson (10)
First test squad: Ben Stokes (captain), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue, Mark Wood.
HEAD TO HEAD
Matches: 345
Australia wins: 142
England wins: 110
Draws: 93
LAST 10 ASHES SERIES
YEAR HOSTS WINNERS MARGIN
2023 England Drawn 2–2
2021/22 Australia Australia 4–0
2019 England Drawn 2–2
2017/18 Australia Australia 4–0
2015 England England 3–2
2013/14 Australia Australia 5–0
2013 England England 3–0
2010/11 Australia England 3–1
2009 England England 2–1
2006/07 Australia Australia 5–0
(Compiled by Nick Mulvenney and Ian Ransom, editing by Ed Osmond)
