The Ashes defence starts now
The wait is finally over. The Ashes series between England and Australia is here. Out in Australia, Andrew "Freddie" Flintoff leads his band of men looking to retain the little urn that has come to mean so much more than its small size would suggest.
Ever since that fabulous late September day last year when Michael Vaughan skippered England to victory, to the delight of the country, every morsel of news emerging from the England camp has been gobbled up.
Vaughan's knee trouble took him out of the action, bringing us not one but two new captains. Bowlers' fortunes have shifted wildly, with Durham paceman Steve Harmison's form a particular worry. However, new hero Monty Panesar's spin wizardry means he's now in the reckoning alongside Ashley Giles.
On the batting front Alastair Cook has emerged as a fine top-order willow wielder. The side will need him, especially now that Marcus Trescothick has returned home.
England's middle order came good in their second warm-up match, against New South Wales, while the bowling attack shone against South Australia in the third.
The First Test of the five-match series got underway late on Wednesday night our time. All the live action takes place during the night but there's extensive coverage coming our way in the form of regular round-up shows and highlights throughout the day (SS1 & 2).
Before the events of last summer, England last won the Ashes in 1985, in England. They retained them by winning the 1986/7 series in Australia. The entire country will be willing its men in white to repeat the feat 20 years on. It's going to be a fabulous winter of cricket.
l On Sunday at 4.00pm (SS1), Manchester United play Chelsea. The top two teams in the Premiership meet at Old Trafford in what should be a must-see match for both loyal fans and neutrals.
