Everything you need to know about the 2019 Ashes series in England

Stuart Broad delivered a piece of social media gold on the eve of the highly-anticipated Ashes series that was four years in the making.

It’s still summer in England – or at least, what passes for summer in this part of the world when you consider the forecast is for temperatures in the teens and rain in Birmingham over the coming days – but nevertheless the sun may appear for long enough to actually get some cricket in.

The World Cup hangover is wearing off, which means the Poms are sobering up to the reality of their ugly break-up with the European Union, being headed by a new prime minister whose YouTube reel of embarrassing moments feels as long as the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

The best way for locals to forget about the crisis at Westminster is to drink heavily and an Ashes series victory would give the English an excuse (not that they need one) to pop the champagne corks and consume flat, lukewarm pints of lager that must only have been invented to punish Aussie expats who dared set up shop in the motherland.

Australia will want to ruin the party because there’s nothing more satisfying than crushing English spirits – particularly in the sporting realm.

Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming Ashes.

WHEN IS IT AND HOW CAN I WATCH?

The first match of the five-Test series is being played at Edgbaston in Birmingham — the cricket ground which draws the most rowdy and parochial crowd in England — and kicks off tonight, with the first ball scheduled for 8pm (AEST). Yes, Jofra Archer, it’s really here.

Patience Jof, only 1 more day...

— Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) July 31, 2019

Channel 9 is broadcasting the entire series live, while you can also listen to coverage on ABC radio.

Channel 9’s broadcast begins at 7.30pm on Nine and 9Gem, depending on which state you’re in.

A full list of dates for the series can be found at the bottom of this article.

‘UNPRECEDENTED’: WHY THIS SERIES IS UNIQUE

It’s go time.

Ashes series usually start a little earlier in the English summer but this one has been pushed back because of the World Cup, which finished nearly three weeks ago when England defeated New Zealand in the final.

Having the competitions back-to-back means players who are part of both the Test and one-day squads have been confronted with a hectic schedule that will only get crazier as they pack five Tests – and two tour matches for the Aussies – into just under seven weeks.

Australian coach Justin Langer believes whoever can avoid burning out stands the greatest chance of winning.

“There’s no doubt it’s a challenge for both teams, the fatigue,” Langer said during the week. “This is unprecedented – World Cup then an Ashes. Both are really big competitions that we want to win.

“We’re aware of it, we’re going to have to deal with it, there’s nothing we can do about it but being aware of it is a good starting point.

“I honestly think it’s not about this Edgbaston Test match, it’s about how we endure right through a five-Test match series.”

Whether England was fatigued or still drunk when it was bowled out for 85 against Ireland at Lord’s last week is anyone’s guess – though you wouldn’t blame the team if a breathalyser returned a few positive readings given it’s still on a high from winning the country’s first ever World Cup.

Maybe not as much of a high as a bleary-eyed Andrew Flintoff sneaking off and sitting in then-Prime Minister Tony Blair’s chair and urinating in the garden of 10 Downing Street after the 2005 Ashes, but a high nonetheless.

Who knows, if Joe Root and his mates can get up, maybe Boris Johnson will also have the pleasure of hosting an Ashes-winning team at the PM’s official residence – and possibly having his plants watered free of charge at the same time.

WHY AUSTRALIA CAN WIN

Your bowling line-up is looking OK when Mitchell Starc can’t get a start.

Australia’s fast bowling unit is the best in the world and Nathan Lyon is a gun spinner who will particularly enjoy bowling to England’s left-handers.

In fact, the Aussies attack is so good it’s looking likely Mitchell Starc – you know, the same Mitchell Starc who was the leading wicket-taker at the World Cup – will miss out on selection in the final XI for the series opener.

The left-arm quick will undoubtedly be upset if he’s dropped, but on the plus side, it will give him more free time to catch up with his best mate Shane Warne, who will be commentating for TV.

Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and James Pattinson represent an intimidating trio likely to get the nod at Edgbaston but there’s plenty of quality back-up in Starc, Peter Siddle and the underrated Michael Neser should the cavalry be required.

It’s an attack any opposition would be wary of but it spells even bigger trouble for England, whose top order is as brittle as a braces-wearing teenage boy’s self-confidence at his first high school dance.

The Poms’ top three has seen underperforming candidates chewed up and spat out of a revolving door in recent years and the crisis has only worsened since Alastair Cook’s retirement in 2018. The Aussies will fancy their chances at having the hosts in early trouble and if that can put enough pressure on a middle order which relies heavily on Joe Root, Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler, then Tim Paine and Co. will stand a very real chance of winning, provided their own batsmen at least put up something resembling competitive totals.

Of course, when presented with this logic, the Barmy Army would probably say something along the lines of waiting to see whether Australia’s bowlers are as effective without sandpaper. Because that’s a joke that definitely won’t get old by September 17. Nope. Not at all.

WHY ENGLAND CAN WIN

England has the edge on Australia after the World Cup semi-final.

Ditto with Australia. England’s strength lies in its quicks.

Nobody bowls better than Jimmy Anderson in English conditions and he’ll be unplayable if there’s the slightest hint of swing around. The Dukes ball does funny things in the UK – though a look at Prince Philip’s track record will tell you that’s not the only time English Dukes behave erratically – and whoever controls the six-stitcher best will be giving their side a huge advantage.

Stuart Broad always rises to the challenge of home Ashes series, Chris Woakes was on fire at the World Cup with his unrelenting accuracy, Mark Wood has serious pace and Jofra Archer – although untried at Test level – has shown in the shorter formats he provides a matchwinning X-factor.

England’s batting may be suspect but so is Australia’s and the biggest reason the men in the baggy green haven’t won a series in England since 2001 is because their batsmen have been incapable of countering the moving ball.

Cameron Bancroft averages less than 31 in Test cricket, Travis Head’s technique against balls that swing and seam is questionable, Usman Khawaja and David Warner have never scored a century on English soil and Matthew Wade and Marnus Labuschagne have never played a Test in England. So there are plenty of areas for the home side to exploit and it could be a very enjoyable end to the summer if it keeps Warner and Steve Smith relatively quiet.

THE TALKING POINT

We can’t go past the return of banned trio Smith, Warner and Bancroft. Warner and Smith made their comebacks to international cricket at the World Cup and if Bancroft makes the starting XI in Birmingham, which he’s reportedly set to do, it will be the first time all three have been on the field together since the infamous Cape Town cheating fiasco last year.

Smith and Warner were mercilessly booed during the World Cup but handled it professionally – especially the latter, who piled on runs for fun. Whether Bancroft – a Test rookie with only eight matches to his name – will be able to do the same remains to be seen, especially given the abuse will come thick and fast for 25 days.

LIKELY TEAMS

Australia: David Warner, Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Matthew Wade, Tim Paine (c), Pat Cummins, James Pattinson, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon.

England: Rory Burns, Jason Roy, Joe Root (c), Joe Denly, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, James Anderson.

PREDICTION

So who will actually be holding the urn aloft at the end of the series? This correspondent would love to say “I haven’t got a clue” but I’ve been told that’s a cop out.

Let’s go England 3-1, with rain to ruin a Test somewhere along the way.

ODDS

Unibet has England marginal favourites to win the First Test:

England $1.95

Draw $7

Australia $2.50

Unibet has England favourites to win the series also:

England $1.95

Draw $6.50

Australia $2.50

SCHEDULE (ALL START TIMES AT 8PM AEST)

August 1 — First Test at Edgbaston (Birmingham)

August 14 — Second Test at Lord’s (London)

August 22 — Third Test at Headingley (Leeds)

September 4 — Fourth Test at Old Trafford (Manchester)

September 12 — Fifth Test at The Oval (London)