We’re just two sleeps away from cricket’s greatest rivalry, steeped in over 140 years of history and tradition ahead of the first ball on Friday.
From Bodyline and brutal sledges, to Warne’s ball-of-the-century, the see-sawing series of 2005, Bradman’s 1948 Invincibles, aviation beer drinking records and a cunning but fair stumping at Lord’s.
These are some of the greatest Ashes storylines which have set the stage for England and Australia to rekindle hostilities in Perth.
It’s hard to imagine these two countries actually share such historic and strong diplomatic relations off the field.
The Barmy Army will be in full swing and song, with a record 40,000 Poms expected to invade Australian shores.
While they will enjoy ice cold beer under the sun, Christmas Day on the beach, and New Years fireworks by Sydney Harbour – the rest of us back in Britain are left to our lavish lifestyles of grey skies, wintery days and sleepless nights glued to our TV screens.
Ben Stokes will captain England's Test side for the first time in an Ashes tour Down Under
|PA
To ensure our GB News audience feels like they’re not missing out on all the Ashes drama set to unfold, myself as an Australian cricket nuffie – who is obviously balanced and unbiased – takes a deep dive into the all the key plots and players set to decide who takes home the treasured Urn.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Australia’s injury woes
England’s batsmen have been handed a golden ticket to the first Test in Perth with Australia’s superstar captain Pat Cummins and fellow paceman Josh Hazlewood sidelined with injury.
Perhaps the biggest beneficiary will be Joe Root, who has no doubt had sleepless nights over his touring Ashes form. For his lofty standards, he remains without a century and averages just 35.68 from his 27 Test innings Down Under – the one glaring omission on a stellar CV.
Australia’s injury crisis opens the door for Queenslander Brendan Doggett to debut on cricket’s biggest stage. Ben Stokes’ men won’t forget Scott Boland either, who famously terrorised them with a 6-wicket spell in Melbourne.
He remains one of the world’s top seam bowlers despite struggling to break into Australia’s famed bowling quartet.
Questions also linger over Cameron Green’s ability to bowl long spells following back surgery last year. Don’t be surprised if Root can finally get the monkey of his back with his first Ashes hundred on Australian soil in Perth.
England’s inexperience Down Under
Australian newspapers have not held back when it comes to criticising the England squad
|THE WEST AUSTRALIAN
It’s the first time England’s polarising ‘Bazball’ will hit Australian shores, led by Kiwi coach Brendon McCullum who has faced criticism as to whether the attacking approach stands up in difficult batting conditions.
Bazball will face the greatest challenge in cricket, touring Australia on unfamiliar wickets full of pace and bounce which have proven to be bowler friendly the last few summers.
For all of Harry Brook’s talent, he has yet to play Test match cricket Down Under, neither has wicket-keeper Jamie Smith, and besides Mark Wood, no other English bowler has toured there before.
Ollie Pope and Zak Crawley were walking wickets on their last Ashes tour and may as well have been wearing Baggy Greens. Given their respective injury histories, expect Mark Wood and Jofra Archer to be rested at some point as they’re faced with firmer wickets under a baking sun. Archer’s reunion with Steve Smith will be something to witness.
Questions remain over England’s ability to withstand the heat from a harsh Australian public and media pack, and it won’t get any easier with sell-out crowds headlined by 100,000 at the MCG on Boxing Day.
They have not won an away Ashes Test since 2011, and The Western Australian newspaper has been sure to remind Joe Root and Ben Stokes of their previous shortcomings.
It is basically tradition for the Aussie papers to give the England squad a good bashing
|THE WEST AUSTRALIAN
Australia’s ageing XI
It’s no secret Australia’s squad is on the older side. Usman Khawaja is pushing 40, leaving Cameron Green as the only member under 30.
Green’s nervous starts with the bat don’t provide any reassurances to a top-order faced with question marks.
Steve Smith remains a world-class batsman but gone are his days of hundred after hundred.
His partner in crime Marnus Labuschagne is set to return as an opener following strong a strong start to the domestic season, but he will be tested again at the highest level.
England’s attack will smell blood in the water against an Australian line-up who struggled to make big runs in the World Test Championship final and the recent tour to the Caribbean.
The last Aussie side this old was the 2006/07 Ashes squad which saw the retirements of Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Justin Langer and Damien Martyn. Pat Cummins will take some solace in the result of that series – a 5-nil clean sweep of England.
England finally gets the ‘Spirit of Cricket’ – or whatever that means...
There was controversy after Alex Carey stumped Jonny Bairstow at the last Ashes
|PA
As an Australian, I have found an odd comfort in knowing that the old enemy has finally joined us in playing hard and uncompromising cricket. A team led by the New Zealand duo of coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes, plus the fast-bowling duo of Barbadian Jofra Archer and South African Brydon Carse would suggest the English Cricket Board are looking to fast-track citizenship for anyone who can hold bat and ball. Whatever it takes, even if it means fielding a world XI!
English batsmen will now have learnt from their good mate Jonny Bairstow to play by the rules and stay in their crease. Don’t expect Alex Carey to have too many stumpings to his name this time around.
This Bazball side and the English public have recently jumped at the chance to claim moral victories. But I do hope they turn to the hardline English sides of old.
Think 2005 Ashes – the tactic of using specialist sub-fielders while tired bowlers rested and showered is something David Warner and Cameron Bancroft would be proud of. If it’s ball tampering on the menu, England should seriously consider bringing Michael Atherton and Monty Panesar back into the fold.
If there’s one certainty this Ashes, it’s that the Spirit of Cricket will be debated at some point.
Final prediction
Joe Root has been backed to beat his Aussie hoodoo - but England will still lose The Ashes
|PA
This is England’s best chance at long-awaited redemption abroad since 2011, but Australia will take full advantage of home conditions to retain the Urn 3-1, leaving the Sydney Test to be washed-out yet again.
Australia’s acclaimed bowling unit will prove too strong and expose Bazball on faster wickets. Joe Root will finally banish his demons Down Under and score big runs with at least one century to his name.
But it won’t be enough as England’s bowlers are worn down by a long Australian summer, with a lack of Test cricket preparation putting Jofra Archer under the microscope.
Predictably, Steve Smith will top the runs chart and Nathon Lyon will lead all wicket takers in what may be both their final home Ashes series.