An eagerly-anticipated Ashes series is almost upon us as England cricket attempt to win back the urn from Australia cricket .

It is 15 years since England last triumphed Down Under , with the tourists failing to win a single Tests on three trips back to Australia since that 3-1 series success.

The tourists’ improved fortunes under the leadership of captain Ben Stokes has swelled hope, though, of a more competitive series after a thrilling 2023 affair on English soil.

Australia secured a 2-2 draw to retain the Ashes then and will give no ground to their fierce rivals – even if they are without captain Pat Cummins for the first Test at least due to a back injury.

Who are the players set to do battle across five Tests and five cities over the next couple of months? Here’s

See Full Page