RICHARD GIBSON IN PERTH: The date of when England began getting ready for the Ashes is debatable. 'It's something we've been doing for a long time,' Stokes said of his side's preparation.

Pope travelled to Australia facing a challenge from Jacob Bethell for the No 3 spot but appears to have cemented his place in the side for the first Test after impressing in a warm-up clash.

The former England captain's new marriage comes seven years after his first wife Ruth McDonald died aged 46 following a battle with a rare form of lung cancer on December 29, 2018.

All-time great Botham didn't hold back when he was asked about the team's build-up to the first Test on November 21. Stokes did the same as he replied in Perth on Wednesday.

An ECB statement confirmed he had 'been cleared of any concerns,' and although he did not rejoin the practice game, it added that he 'will continue to train as planned'.

It has never happened since Australia's cricketers played in the first Test match in 1877.

Former Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke has splashed about $20million on a sprawling six-bedroom mansion in Sydney's blue-chip suburb of Vaucluse

The very strange insults between Travis Head and his counterpart Ben Duckett didn't get picked up by the on-field microphones during the last Ashes series in 2023.

No sooner had Joe Root landed in Perth than he came face to face with a microphone - and questions about his record Down Under.

Jimmy Anderson stares out at Old Trafford in the November drizzle and talks about the greats that have graced this famous arena, the Ashes and his plans for the future.

England have turned to an Aussie to ensure their Test side is well fed during the grueling five-Test Ashes series awaiting them