Australia v England: The ultimate Ashes preview

The ultimate rivalry in cricket gets set for its newest chapter when Australia and England clash in the first Ashes Test in Brisbane on Thursday.

Scroll down for our countdown to the series - hear the views of the men that matter, have your say on the big battles and crucial team selections, and play our interactive quiz...

LATEST NEWS

Ball to start Ashes opener
Australia call up Maxwell
Root: Lyon comments bizarre
Prior hits back at Lyon claims

Sky Sports Ashes Podcast

Nasser Hussain, Bob Willis, Rob Key and Marcus Trescothick debate England's Ashes prospects in our first podcast of the series - make sure you head to skysports.com throughout the series for more Ashes podcasts! Listen to the preview show here!

Ashes Panel

Former England captains Nasser Hussain, Sir Ian Botham, Mike Atherton, Bob Willis and David Gower look back on previous series - their first memories; highlights and lowlights; greatest adversaries; unheralded heroes; and some of the funnny and controversial moments...

Ashes Panel: The best of times

David Gower, Sir Ian Botham, Bob Willis, Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain have reflected on their greatest achievements - or otherwise - against Australia...

Ashes Panel: Handling the heat

David Gower, Sir Ian Botham, Bob Willis, Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain give an insight into the conditions and the challenges of an Ashes tour...

Ashes Panel: Sharing the limelight

Our Ashes Panel pays tribute to the unsung heroes whose input they feel has either been overlooked or underplayed over the years...

Ashes Panel: The heat of battle

The Ashes has sparked some classic scraps over the years - but who do The Panel consider their toughest adversaries?

Ashes Panel: Tough act to follow

Our Ashes Panel got together to look back at some of the more memorable incidents that have raised a laugh or the temperature - depending on your point of view.

Ashes Panel: A sensational summer

Here's how David Gower, Sir Ian Botham, Bob Willis, Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain remember the 2005 Ashes series...

Ashes Panel: Deep impact

Nasser Hussain, Mike Atherton and Bob Willis recall the impact of England's victory in 1986/87...

Squads

'Aussies' Ashes changes make sense'

Australia's Ashes squad has caused consternation in some quarters - but Sky Sports' Matt Floyd says the inclusions of Tim Paine, Cameron Bancroft and Shaun Marsh could prove pretty astute…

Your England XI revealed...

We asked you to pick your ideal England starting XI for their Ashes opener in Brisbane - and here are the results... READ IT HERE

Rob Key's Combined Ashes XI

Ahead of Thursday's first Ashes Test, Rob Key picks his combined XI from Australia and England - but who's in and who's out? Find out HERE!

Mark Stoneman's Ashes Diary

In his latest Ashes Diary, opener Mark Stoneman reflects on his first century in an England shirt, a three-figure score he was less happy with and looks ahead to the series opener in Brisbane… READ IT HERE

Gideon Haigh's column

In his first column for Sky Sports, and with the Ben Stokes saga rumbling on, Australian cricket writer Gideon Haigh examines how notable absences have shaped Ashes series past… READ IT HERE

Mike Selvey column

As England return to Australia's fortress of the 'Gabbatoir' in Brisbane, Mike Selvey ponders how the tourists can avoid another shellacking - and whether Joe Root could face a tricky choice at the toss... READ IT HERE

Key Battles

James Anderson exclusive

England's all-time test wicket-taker speaks to Sky Sports's Sam Drury about the challenges of an Ashes tour and how to deal with the Australian crowds.... READ HERE

Anderson on 2010/11 tour

James Anderson has told Sky Sports that England must channel the "culture" of their successful 2010/11 Ashes team as they bid to retain the urn in Australia this winter.

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Stuart Broad exclusive

The England bowler talks about the character needed on an Ashes tour and how Sir Alex Ferguson helped him shrug off Aussie fans' abuse in 2013/14... READ IT HERE

Ashes on the Brain

We get inside the minds of Jonny Bairstow, Nasser Hussain, Mike Atherton, David Gower and Shane Warne to find out how they get or got ready for Ashes series...

Ashes on the Brain: Johnny Bairstow

In the first part of our Ashes on the Brain series, England's Jonny Bairstow discusses the media hype and why this series is completely different to 2013/14...

Ashes on the Brain: Michael Atherton

In part two of our Ashes on the Brain series, Michael Atherton explains the mental and physical challenges posed by a tour of Australia...

Ashes on the Brain: Nasser Hussain

In part three of our Ashes on the Brain series, Nasser Hussain talks about taking on one of the great Australia sides and the pressures of captaincy...

Ashes on the Brain: David Gower

In the fourth of our Ashes on the Brain columns, David Gower explains why the Ashes is 'extra special' and the buzz on the morning of the first Test...

Ashes on the Brain: Shane Warne

In the final part of our Ashes on the Brain series, Shane Warne provides the Aussie perspective, explaining why they always targeted the England captain...

Test your knowledge...

Put your Ashes cricket knowledge to the test by taking our head-to-head quiz put together by Sky Sports statistician Benedict Bermange!