Ashes 2015 dates: venues and information for iconic England v Australia five-Test series

IT’S not long until the opening ball of the 2015 Ashes series. To get you in the mood, here is a guide to the venues, dates, ground records and recent history.

It’s getting close: Ashes 2015 dates, venues

IT’S not long until the opening ball of the 2015 Ashes series. To get you in the mood, here is a guide to the venues, dates, ground records and recent results.

TEAM: Australia’s squad for the Ashes

Like it was when it was introduced as a Test venue six years ago, Cardiff will be the initial host for the England and Australia showdown.

Matches at Lord’s Edgbaston, Trent Bridge and finally The Oval quickly follow.

It’s going to be six weeks of Test match cricket at an unrelenting pace.

James Anderson and Monty Panesar thwarted the Aussies back in 2009 at Cardiff.

First Test

SWALEC Stadium, Cardiff

July 8-12

Australia’s record: played 1. won 0. drawn 1. lost 1

When they last played there: 2009

What happened?: The Aussies won’t want to remember their only previous visit to Cardiff with any high regard. It was literally the one that got away and ultimately proved the catalyst for the Poms to regain the Ashes. After scoring 6-674 on the back of Ricky Ponting’s 150, the Aussies closed in on an innings victory but couldn’t dislodge the last-wicket pair of James Anderson and Monty Panesar as the Poms clawed out a draw.

Second Test - Lord’s, London

July 16-20

Australia record: played 33. won 14. drawn 13. lost 6

Result in 2013: Australia lost by 347 runs.

What happened? In days gone past Australia could always count on a win - or a draw at the very least - at the home of cricket. But momentum has swung back the way of the Poms over the last six years. And if the 115-run loss in 2009 was a shock to the system, then it’s probably not the right time to bring up Australia’s effort four years later. With Graeme Swann and Joe Root causing havoc, the Poms won by 347 runs.

Michael Kasprowicz and Brett Lee nearly got Australia home at Edgbaston in 2005.

Third Test

Edgbaston, Birmingham

July 29 to August 2

Australia’s record: played 14. won 3. drawn 5. lost six

Result in 2009: Match drawn

What happened? Runs galore, plenty of rain and not much else. Best to go back four years to 2005. Who can forget the picture of Andrew Flintoff of consoling Brett Lee after the two-run defeat? A quick recap: England set Australia 281 runs to win and the tourists found themselves in big trouble. But first Shane Warne, then Brett Lee came to the rescue and the game came down to a thrilling conclusion. Steve Harmison got the breakthrough though as Michael Kasprowicz gloved a leg side delivery to wicketkeeper Geraint Jones.

Fourth Test

Trent Bridge, Nottingham

August 6-10

Australia record: played 21. won 6. drawn 9. lost 5

Result in 2013: England won by 14 runs

What happened? The first Test of the last tour produced the closest result of the series - and featured the memorable last-wicket stand of Phillip Hughes and Ashton Agar in the first innings. England eventually prevailed despite Brad Haddin and James Pattinson threatening to steal the game with an audacious last-wicket partnership in the second innings.

The Poms celebrate their victory at Trent Bridge in 2013.

Fifth Test

The Oval, London

August 20-24

Record: played 36. won 5. drawn 14. lost 16

Result in 2013: Draw, but an exciting draw

What happened: It hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for the Aussies - as the record above savagely reflects. But two years ago they enjoyed the upper hand for much of the five days, although they nearly let it slip away in the end. England fell just 21 runs short of their 227-run target and were probably a little aggrieved to have to settle for a draw.

Originally published as Ashes 2015 dates: venues and information for iconic England v Australia five-Test series