Sign up to the Independent's betting newsletter for the latest tips and offers Sign up to the Independent's betting newsletter
The 2019 Ashes is upon us, with England looking to reclaim the famous urn after their humiliating defeat Down Under two years ago.
Joe Root's men were blown away by their Australian hosts, losing four of the five matches - including one by 10 wickets.
But after their famous success at the World Cup, England will fancy their chances of winning a fifth consecutive Ashes on home soil.
When does it start?
The first Test gets underway on Thursday 1 August and runs until Monday 5.
Show all 11 1 /11Team of tournament: Cricket World Cup Team of tournament: Cricket World Cup Rohit Sharma (India) - 648 runs at an average of 81 The leading run-scorer and the first man to hit five centuries in a single World Cup, India were heavily reliant on their opener's contributions. At one stage he seemed destined to eclipse Sachin Tendulkar's benchmark for most runs in one edition (673), only to fall short after a rare failure in the semi-final against New Zealand.
Getty
Team of tournament: Cricket World Cup Jason Roy (England) - 443 runs at 63.28 A monstrous 153 against Bangladesh was followed by a hamstring tear, with England lacking vigour at the top of the order in his three-game absence. He amassed three half-centuries on his return and galvanised Jonny Bairstow. The pair have registered 11 century stands in 33 innings together at the top of the order, averaging 68.21.
Action Images via Reuters
Team of tournament: Cricket World Cup Kane Williamson (New Zealand) - 578 runs at 82.57 Named man of the tournament, Williamson's bashful response after apparently being told of the honour went viral and spoke volumes about the man. Not only did he break the record for most runs at a tournament for a captain, his grace and eloquence in the immediate aftermath of a heartbreaking final defeat earned him a legion of new admirers.
AFP/Getty Images
Team of tournament: Cricket World Cup Joe Root (England) - 556 runs at 61.77. Two wickets at 27.5 Despite finishing as England's leading run-scorer, it was a rather understated tournament for the Test captain, who was overshadowed by those around him. Nevertheless, England's glue regularly contributed in a way only he can, pushing the field and regularly rotating the strike, allowing his more flashy colleagues to take the plaudits.
Getty
Team of tournament: Cricket World Cup Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh) - 606 runs at 86.57. 11 wickets at 36.27 The only member of the XI who did not reach the knockout stages, but it was not for the lack of trying. The only player in the history of the tournament to amass more than 600 runs and take 11 wickets, statistically no one else comes close to matching these figures. Can count himself unlucky not to scoop the player of the tournament gong.
Getty
Team of tournament: Cricket World Cup Ben Stokes (England) - 465 runs at 66.42. Seven wickets at 35.14 Stokes' heroics in the final would have been enough to seal his entry here, but England's all-rounder has consistently delivered, primarily in a more nuanced role with the bat. A three-figure score may not have been forthcoming but there were five instrumental fifties, his 84 against New Zealand at Lord's the best of the lot.
Getty
Team of tournament: Cricket World Cup Alex Carey (Australia) - 375 runs at 62.5. 18 catches and two stumpings A stellar 71 against New Zealand, counter-attacking brilliantly after a top-order collapse, was the highlight for Carey, who also made half-centuries in losing causes against India and South Africa. It may be that the genial Carey is one place too low here and in Australia's line-up. He kept tidily enough, too.
Getty Images
Team of tournament: Cricket World Cup Mitchell Starc (Australia) - 27 wickets at 18.59 Setting a new record for most wickets at a single World Cup, relegating Glenn McGrath's haul of 26 scalps in 2007, tells its own story. The left-arm paceman is well on his way to greatness and his in-swinging yorker to castle Stokes at Lord's was probably ball of the tournament and one of its standout moments.
Getty
Team of tournament: Cricket World Cup Jofra Archer (England) - 20 wickets at 23.05 It is a little more than two months since the Barbados-born youngster made his international bow, but the wiry speedster became the first England bowler to take 20 wickets at a World Cup. Despite his rookie status, he was trusted with bowling during the Super Over shoot-out against New Zealand, ultimately holding his nerve at the death.
Getty
Team of tournament: Cricket World Cup Lockie Ferguson (New Zealand) - 21 wickets at 19.47 There were many tipping the paceman as one to watch in England and Wales, and Ferguson certainly did not disappoint. Only Starc took more wickets than a bowler whose blend of venomous short balls and toe-crushing yorkers, as well as a succinct slower ball, accounted for many a batsman.
Action Images via Reuters
Team of tournament: Cricket World Cup Jasprit Bumrah (India) - 18 wickets at 20.61 Given Bumrah typically bowls at the start and the end of the innings - when batsmen are looking to accelerate - his economy rate of 4.41 is extraordinary. India's pace spearhead was able to bamboozle many batsmen with his subtle changes of pace, while he very rarely seems to miss his length with his yorkers.
AFP/Getty Images
Which dates are the fixtures?
First Test - August 1-5 (Edgbaston): Australia win by 251 runs
Second Test - August 14-18 (Lord's)
Third Test - August 22-26 (Headlingley)
Fourth Test - September 4-8 (Old Trafford)
Fifth Test - September 12-16 (The Oval)
Joe Root and his men will be bidding to reclaim the Ashes (Reuters) How can I watch the Ashes ?
Sky Sports has exclusive broadcast rights and will be showing live, uninterrupted coverage throughout the series.
Sky Sports subscribers will also be able to stream the matches via the SkyGo and Sky Sports apps.
Alternatively, fans can watch the series through NOW TV without signing up for a full contract. You can get a Sky Sports day pass for £7.99, a week pass for £12.99 or a month pass for £33.99.
NOW TV can be streamed through a computer or apps found on most smart TVs, phones and consoles.
Channel 5 will broadcast highlights at the end of play for each day while BBC has radio rights to all five Tests.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies