The Ashes returns to a sell out crowd at Edgbaston
England take on Australia in five test matches this summer
Last updated 16th Jun 2023
The series kicks off at Edgbaston Stadium, known as the players 'favourite' ground with all the tickets for the event sold out.
The Ashes is cricket’s oldest and most prestigious rivalry - a series of matches between Australia and England held every two years.
Both teams play a series of five test matches, each lasting up to five days.
The last few Ashes have been dominated by Australia, with the Aussies dealing out a couple of brutal and embarrassing defeats on home soil.
Birmingham's Chris Woakes, whose been selected for the Ashes squad, told us: "Ashes cricket just bring out that rivalry between England and Australia which has been there for many many years, almost centuries. That tradition behind it makes it even more special.
"The first test match taking place here at Birmingham, biased by myself, but I think it's the best ground in the country with the best fans."
Whose been selected for this year's team?
Warwickshire's Moeen Ali retired from Test cricket in September 2021, but made himself available at the request of Captain Ben Stokes.
He will make his return on the ground where he played his last Ashes Test. Four years ago he struggled in England's defeat at Edgbaston and was dropped.
Ben Duckett and Harry Brook will make their Ashes debuts. And Stuart Broad will join James Anderson and Ollie Robinson in their pace attack.
The full team sees Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jonny Bairstow (wicketkeeper), Moeen Ali, Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson and James Anderson.
England go into this series on the back of 11 wins in their past 13 Tests playing a swashbuckling style under Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum.
They have not won any of the past three Ashes series but are also unbeaten at home since 2001.
The second Test takes place at Lord’s from June 28-July, the third Test at Headingly between July 6-10, the fourth Test at Old Trafford between July 19-23 and the fifth Test is at The Oval from July 27-31.
Today's test at Edgbaston starts at 11am.
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