The teams have lined up now to mark the official start of Ashes. They are serenaded with each country’s national anthems and a impressive fireworks display to light the fuse of what will surely be a explosive first test match.

The team line up as it stands:

ENGLAND

1. AN Cook (Captain)

2. JE Root

3. IJL Trott

4.  KP Pietersen

5. IR Bell

6. JM Bairstow

7. MJ Prior †

8. SCJ Broad

9. GP Swann

10. ST Finn

11. JM Anderson

AUSTRALIA

1. SR Watson

2. CJL Rogers

3. EJM Cowan

4. MJ Clarke (Captain)

5. PJ Hughes,

6. SPD Smith

7. BJ Haddin †

8. PM Siddle

9. JL Pattinson

10. MA Starc

11. AC Agar

By Adam Roberts