The most anticipated Ashes series in a generation begins today in front of what will doubtless be a raucously parochial Edgbaston crowd.
And they may well have a cricketing spectacle good enough to empty the bars.
This latest version of the English cricket team has torn up the text book. Gone is the Boycottian caution of old, in comes fear-free 'Bazball'.
Coach Kiwi Brendon’ Baz’ McCullum and captain Ben Stokes have helmed a scintillating run of 11 victories from 13 tests.
England captain Ben Stokes Photo: ACTION FOTO SPORT
But the new England, who have been scoring runs at just shy of 5 an over, face a stern test starting today.
Australia are a formidable side, looking for their first Ashes victory in England since 2001.
England’s new approach has swept aside India, New Zealand last summer, South Africa and Pakistan.
Against New Zealand last year, they made daunting fourth innings victory targets of 277, 299 and 297 look as demanding as a walk in park.
But will England will play with the same almost reckless abandon against an Australia side possessing arguably the best pace attack in the world?
Stokes and McCullum have given no hint at reeling it in during the build-up to the most eagerly-awaited series since the classic 2005 series won by England.
Whether Australia, who reclaimed the Ashes in 2018 with a 4-0 home win, retained them with a 2-2 draw in England in 2019 before another 4-0 home rout in 2021, try to fight fire with fire is another matter.
Australia's captain Pat Cummins Photo: GLYN KIRK
Pat Cummins' side are not exactly shrinking violets, and will begin their quest for a first series win in England since 2001 full of confidence after convincingly beating India in London to win the World Test Championship.
Steve Smith, so often a thorn in England's side, scored a century in the first innings against India and along with Marnus Labuschagne will form the bedrock of Australia's batting while Travis Head will be a handful for England's bowlers.
But how their bowling unit of Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood react when faced with 'Bazball' for the first time could be the key to the outcome.
Australia's Steve Smith Photo: GLYN KIRK
England named their team on Wednesday with veteran paceman Stuart Broad getting the nod over Mark Wood.
Broad has enjoyed bowling to Australian opener David Warner in past series.
With the weather set fair, the opening skirmish promises fireworks as both sides seek to seize the momentum.
England's veteran bowler Stuart Broad Photo: ACTION FOTO SPORT
The players to watch
England's Ollie Pope Photo: ACTION FOTO SPORT
Talisman captain Ben Stokes is key for England.
He helped England win the World Cup in 2019 and played one of the greatest innings of all-time at Headingley in the drawn Ashes series later that summer. England fans will be hoping his crook knee holds up for the full five tests.
Other key players include batter and former captain Joe Root and bowler James Anderson, who, now aged 40, could be playing his last Ashes series.
England's new rising star is batter Harry Brook. This northern winter he scored four centuries in his first seven Tests in one of the best starts to a Test career in recent memory.
England suffered a blow in the build-up to the series when spinner Jack Leach was ruled out with injury. All-rounder Moeen Ali has come out of retirement in the Test format to fill his spot.
For Australia Steve Smith could confirm his status as a living legend if he has another dominant Ashes series.
Marnus Labuschagne is a place above him in the world rankings while attacking left-hander Travis Head is third.
Australia's Marnus Labuschagne Photo: GLYN KIRK
The Australia bowling attack will be led by captain Cummins while Scott Boland is on his first Ashes tour aged 34 but has made a stunning start to Test cricket.
When and where are the matches?
- First Test - Edgbaston, Birmingham, 16-20 June
- Second Test - Lord's, London, 28 June-2 July
- Third Test - Headingley, Leeds, 6-10 July
- Fourth Test - Old Trafford, Manchester, 19-23 July Fifth Test - The Oval, London, 27-31 July
Where to watch
The first test will be on Spark Sport which comes to an end on June 30. The remaining four tests will be on TVNZ+ and Duke.
RNZ/ Reuters’ Martyn Herman /BBC
