LONDON: Finally the wait is over as the first Test between England and Australia will start from today (Wednesday) in Cardiff.
Australia currently the Ashes holder when they beat the England 5-0 at home in 2013-14.
However, the last time Aussies won an Ashes series in England was 14 years ago, in 2001. Since then, it has lost in 2005, 2009 and 2013, making this series a highly anticipated and even contest.
Michael Clarke, the Australia captain, was part of each of those three defeats, and will be eager to add an away Ashes win to his already celebrated leadership career.
England will be taking its first steps under the stewardship of Trevor Bayliss, the newly appointed coach, and Alastair Cook will be looking to lead a newly galvanised side to another triumph at home.
England acquitted itself well in its recent Test and One-Day International series against New Zealand, playing an aggressive brand of cricket that promised results and entertainment.
However, this time around, Australia will be missing a key component of its attack, with Ryan Harris having announced his international retirement.
Harris had been the standout bowler in the series in England in 2013, and did admirably in the 2013-14 leg at home too, though Mitchell Johnson stole the spotlight with an incredible 37 wickets in five Tests then.
Teams (from):
England: Alastair Cook (capt), Adam Lyth, Gary Ballance, Ian Bell, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (wk), Moeen Ali, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood, James Anderson, Steven Finn, Adil Rashid.
Australia: David Warner, Chris Rogers, Steven Smith, Michael Clarke (capt), Adam Voges, Shane Watson, Brad Haddin (wk), Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Fawad Ahmed, Peter Nevil
