The Ashes, contained in a tiny urn, are part of cricketing folklore, fought over by generations of the best cricketers in England and Australia since 1882. Ricky Ponting's Aussies defend the prize this summer
England are captained by Andrew Strauss for the first time in an Ashes series. In 2005, Michael Vaughan became the only English captain to win the Ashes since the 1980s. Vaughan recently retired from all cricket
The Ashes is rich in history, and there was no more infamous series than the 1932-33 "Bodyline" tour, in which several Australian batsmen were injured by England's successful short-pitched bowling tactics
In 1981, Sir Ian Botham - long before his knighthood - transformed a famous series with a dramatic century at Headingley as England won after following on. 'Beefy' also starred in wins at Edgbaston and Old Trafford
A long period of Australian dominance came to an end with an extraordinary series in 2005, Kevin Pietersen's final-day century at The Oval proving enough to wrest the urn back from Australia
The 2006-07 series promised to be another closely-fought series as thousands of England fans headed down under looking to celebrate more English success - but those dreams were cruelly shattered
In an awesome display, Australia secured a 5-0 series whitewash with familiar foes such as Matthew Hayden (left), Adam Gilchrist (second left) and Shane Warne (right) sparkling for the final time in an Ashes series
Australia's team has a very different look about it this summer. With Glenn McGrath also among the retirees, dangerous left-arm pace bowler Mitchell Johnson - yet to face England in Tests - will lead the attack
Among England's new brigade is Ravi Bopara, the talented right-handed batsman from Essex who was in tremendous form against West Indies in May. He bats in the vital number three position
In a bowling attack no longer featuring Matthew Hoggard, Steve Harmison and Simon Jones, Stuart Broad has the job of unsettling Australia's top order with pace, seam movement and bounce
Among those bidding to thwart him is Phillip Hughes, Australia's 20-year-old opener who has two centuries in three Tests, all against the strong South Africans. Hughes spent the early part of the summer with Middlesex
One perceived weakness in Australia's armoury is the spin-bowling department. Nathan Hauritz, the only specialist slow bowler in the squad, had an ordinary match against Sussex at Hove
England's man of the series in 2005, Andrew Flintoff, has battled through a string of injuries and starts the series fit. England fans will roar him on across the country and if he performs with bat and ball Australia could struggle
England's squad recently travelled to Flanders Field in Belgium, visiting war graves and attending a memorial service. In 2001, Steve Waugh's Australians made a visit to Gallipoli
It all starts at Cardiff's new Swalec Stadium on 8 July as the Welsh capital stages a Test for the first time. Lord's, Edgbaston, Headingley and The Oval are the other four venues. (Text by Oliver Brett)
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