Ashes 2019: England v Australia series guide including Test start times, dates, TV channel, betting odds, key players

It all started with a thumping 251-run victory for Australia at Edgbaston before the hosts ran out of time at a interrupted Test at Lord's as they went in pursuit of a series-levelling win.

Buoyed by that performance, England were odds-on favourites at Headingley only to bat abysmally in the first innings as they stared at defeat which would mean the Ashes stay with Australia.

And then came Ben Stokes with one of the most remarkable, match-winning centuries in the history of the sport.

That joy soon turned to despair at Old Trafford as a brilliant Steve Smith returned to the fold after missing Headingley due to concussion and guided his side to a win which meant England could no longer regain the Ashes.

The Aussies then turned their attentions to winning their first series in England since 2001 but they fell short in a mammoth runchase of 399 on the fourth day at the Oval.

Ashes 2019: Results & reports

• First Test (Aug 1-5)
  Venue: Edgbaston, Birmingham
  Result: Australia won by 251 runs
  Report: Aussies complete Edgbaston rout
• Second Test (Aug 14-18)
  Venue: Lord's, London
  Result: Match drawn
  Report: England run out of time
• Third Test (Aug 22-26)
  Venue: Headingley, Leeds
  Result: England win by one wicket
  Report: Stokes special wins it for England
• Fourth Test (Sept 4-8)
  Venue: Old Trafford
  Result: Australia win by 185 runs
  Report: Australia retain the Ashes
• Fifth Test (Sept 12-16)
  Venue: Oval
  Result: England won by 135 runs
  Report: England draw series with Oval win

Ashes 2019: Leading run scorers and wicket-takers

TV information

All five Tests will be broadcast live on Sky Sports with Channel 5 showing highlights in the evening.

Latest odds

Following England's victory at the recent Cricket World Cup, Sky Bet make the hosts 4/5 favourites to regain the urn with Australia 2/1 to win the five-match Test series.

Betting previews

Outright Series Tips: The Ashes gets under way on Thursday as England host Australia at Edgbaston - click here to read Richard Mann's full series preview here.

Series Specials: Richard Mann picks out his best bets from the The Ashes specials markets before Thursday's first Test at Edgbaston. Click here to read

Ashes squads

ENGLAND'S KEY PLAYERS

Rory Burns (Age 28, Tests 6)

Called into the England squad after Alastair Cook's retirement left a gap at the top of the order, the Surrey opener has yet to make the position his own. Burns earned his selection on the back of his excellent county form in recent seasons and averages more than 42 in first-class cricket.

Jason Roy (28, 0)

A central figure in England's limited-overs squad, Roy has been tipped for an Ashes call-up and could benefit from the selector's struggles to find a strong opening partnership. The explosive Surrey batsman has a first-class average of over 35, although he has not played a red-ball game this year.

Joe Denly (33, 2)

Since being dropped from the World Cup squad at the final selection, Denly has scored two centuries and one 50 for Kent in the County Championship, to put himself back in the frame for the longer format. The batting all-rounder has yet to show his best for England.

Joe Root (28, 80)

England's captain and one of their most important batsmen, Root is regularly thought of as one of the top batsmen in the world alongside the likes Virat Kohli, Steve Smith and Kane Williamson. The Yorkshireman averages nearly 50 in Test matches with 41 fifties and 16 centuries to his name.

Ben Stokes (28, 52)

England's star of the World Cup final, Stokes' value to the England squad cannot be underestimated. After missing out against Australia in the last Ashes, the all-rounder will be determined to make his mark in this series and is assured of his place in the middle order.

Jos Buttler (28, 31)

Once thought of as a white-ball specialist, Buttler has brought his range of shots from the shorter format and turned himself into a useful lower-middle order batsman. He has scored five half-centuries and one century since a surprise Test recall at the start of the 2018 summer.

Jonny Bairstow (29, 63)

One of England's mainstays in the middle order in recent series, Bairstow has impressed for England in all three formats over the past few years. The Yorkshireman also retained the gloves against West Indies but that may change if he is pushed up the batting order against Australia.

Moeen Ali (32, 58)

Used by England across all formats, the all-rounder is expected to be England's main spin option against Australia but a disappointing World Cup - where he was dropped for the latter stages - has put his place under pressure. Moeen can also contribute useful runs in the lower order and scored two half-centuries last year against the West Indies and India.

Chris Woakes (30, 26)

Woakes has established himself in the 50-over game, becoming one of England's most reliable bowlers at the death and has an average of just over 32 with the ball in Test matches. He also has one Test century and four fifties to his name since his debut in 2013. A stronger performer in English conditions, Woakes is likely to be a key member of the bowling unit.

Stuart Broad (33, 126)

Having enjoyed one of the best spells of his career in the Ashes in 2015, taking eight for 15, England's second-highest Test wicket-taker of all time - behind new-ball partner Anderson - is a tough man to leave out. But Broad was dropped for Tests in Sri Lanka and the West Indies over the winter and his place could come under threat.

Jofra Archer (24, 0)

Archer just qualified for England ahead of the World Cup and went on to make his mark on the international stage, taking 20 wickets at the tournament. With the ability to bowl over 90mph regularly, the Barbadian-born fast-bowler could cause problems for the Australians, although he picked up a side strain in the World Cup and could be sidelined for the start of the series.

James Anderson (36, 148)

Anderson has taken 575 Test wickets so far in his career and has shown no signs of slowing down, even at the age of 36. With his ability to swing the ball, especially in English conditions, the Lancashire bowler is crucial to England's hopes.

Sam Curran (21, 9)

Awarded man-of-the-match in just his second Test match after making his debut aged just 19, Curran was one of England's key players against India last summer. The youngster also proved his ability with the bat and would offer a left-handed option in England's bowling attack. A return to form with the England Lions against Australia A was very timely for the Surrey youngster.

Jack Leach (28, 4)

The Somerset left-arm spinner made his England debut against New Zealand in 2018 but a broken thumb limited his opportunities before he returned for the tour of Sri Lanka last winter. England could be persuaded by his reliability, with a first-class bowling average of just over 25, and he could be the main threat to Moeen's place.

Mark Wood (29, 13)

One of England's fastest bowlers, Wood has hit over 94mph with the ball on a number of occasions. After making his Test debut in 2015, the Durham fast-bowler has only made a handful of appearances, and picked up an injury at the World Cup with an expected recovery time of four to six weeks. England will hope he is fit to play some part in the series.

AUSTRALIA'S KEY PLAYERS

David Warner (Age 32, Tests 74)

The left-hander is set to return to the Test arena for the first time since being found guilty of ball-tampering in the match against South Africa in Cape Town in March 2018. England will be wary of a man with 21 Test centuries and an average nudging 50, who found top form at the World Cup with 647 runs.

Marcus Harris (27, 6)

Harris topped the run-scoring charts in Australia's domestic Sheffield Shield last season before impressing while opening alongside Joe Burns in his debut Test series against India. He has yet to score a Test century but, with a hundred for Australia A confirming his form, may get the nod ahead of Burns.

Usman Khawaja (32, 41)

The experienced left-hander failed to really fire at the World Cup, with just two half-centuries before a hamstring injury ruled him out of the semi-final. That has put his Ashes place in doubt, but Australia will hope to have him available at number three.

Steve Smith (30, 64)

The former captain was at the peak of his powers as Australia crushed England in the last Ashes series Down Under. He scored an extraordinary 687 runs in seven innings, with three centuries including 239 at Perth. He also starred in the last Ashes series in England with 508 runs in nine innings. Smith, like Warner, returns to Tests after the ball-tampering ban and will be desperate to shine once again.

Travis Head (25, 8)

Head is Australia's top run-scorer in Tests over the last 12 months having made his debut in October. Since then he has amassed 663 runs at an average of 51.00 and his maiden century - 161 against Sri Lanka in their last Test - has firmly cemented his place in the middle order.

Matthew Wade (31, 22)

September 2017 was the last time Wade played in a Test, but his form is very difficult to ignore. The aggressive wicketkeeper-batsman was second only to Harris in the Sheffield Shield last year, hitting over 1,000 runs, and has been in blistering touch for Australia A in England this summer. Could be an attacking option at number six.

Tim Paine (captain, wicketkeeper) (34, 21)

Paine has been front and centre as the face of Australia cricket as it attempts to rebuild its reputation after the ball-tampering scandal of last year. While his leadership is not in question, his batting is - he has just one first-class century in his career and that came back in 2006.

Joe Burns (29, 16)

Burns is Harris' main competition as opener. He cut short his stint as overseas player at Lancashire this summer after just one match, returning to Australia after being diagnosed with a fatigue disorder. Prior to that he hit 180 in Australia's last Test against Sri Lanka in February and found form on his return with a century for Australia A against Sussex in July.

Marnus Labuschagne (25, 5)

If Australia are looking for a batsman with form in English conditions, they need look no further than Labuschagne. He was the first man to reach 1,000 runs in the County Championship with Glamorgan - albeit in Division Two. Yet to fully convince in his five Tests, but could provide cover for Khawaja.

Kurtis Patterson (26, 2)

The man in possession of the number six spot, Patterson scored an unbeaten century against Sri Lanka in just his second Test. He would therefore be very unlucky to miss out at Edgbaston, but poor form on Australia A's tour of England may tip the scales in favour of the likes of Wade.

Pat Cummins (26, 20)

The number one-ranked Test bowler in the world, boasting an exceptional average of 22.02 from his 20 matches. Cummins offers real pace and England's top order will need to be on their guard.

Mitchell Starc (29, 51)

Starc is in peak form after an astonishing World Cup campaign which saw him break compatriot Glenn McGrath's record of most wickets in a tournament, taking 27 scalps. With pace, swing and a searing yorker, the left-armer is a potent weapon. Injuries, as always, will be his main worry.

Josh Hazlewood (28, 44)

The Mr. Consistent of Australia's bowling attack, Hazlewood has been a key figure in their unit for a number of years. A back injury ruled him out of the Sri Lanka series, while he was left out of the World Cup to focus on being fit for the Ashes. Nagging accuracy is his strength and he bowled well in England four years ago, taking 16 wickets from his four matches.

Nathan Lyon (31, 86)

Transformed his game over the last few years to become one of the most attacking and successful spinners in the world. Needs 13 wickets to overtake Dennis Lillee and move third on the all-time Test wicket-taking list for Australia. Lyon bowls brilliantly at left-handers and is a crucial man for the tourists.

Jhye Richardson (22, 2)

A non-playing member of the World Cup squad, Richardson could challenge Hazlewood for a spot in the starting line-up. Made his Test debut against Sri Lanka in February, impressing with an ability to swing the ball at high speed with his skiddy action - attributes that could serve him well in English conditions.

James Pattinson (29, 17)

Over three years on from his last Test appearance, there are calls for Pattinson to make a return. His career has been ravaged by injury, stalling an impressive start with 70 wickets in 17 Tests. Match figures of seven for 77 against Sussex in early July hinted at a return to top form, and the rapid right-armer could force his way into Australia's thinking.

Ashes: By the numbers

The 2019 Ashes series begins at Edgbaston on Thursday, with England looking to regain the urn following a 4-0 defeat in Australia two years ago.

Here, PA takes a look at some of the numbers behind cricket's most famous rivalry.

5,028 - the record number runs scored by Australian batsman Sir Don Bradman in 37 Ashes matches.

19 - Ashes centuries by Bradman. Sir Jack Hobbs holds England's record with 12.

2001 - the last time Australia won the Ashes in England, which also included a Test victory at Edgbaston.

364 - The highest score in a single Ashes innings, made by England's Len Hutton at The Oval in 1938.

903 - Hutton's triple century helped England amass the highest single-innings total in the same match, 903 for seven declared. England won by an innings and 579 runs, the biggest margin of victory in Test history.

195 - Ashes wickets taken by Australian spin king Shane Warne, 38 more than his former team-mate Glenn McGrath in second place.

330 - Ashes Test matches so far, with Australia having won 134 and England 106.

70 - Ashes series to date, England with 32 victories and Australia 33.

2 - England won the second Test of the 2005 series at Edgbaston by two runs, the narrowest margin of victory in Ashes history, and went on to win the series 2-1 to break Australia's stranglehold.

36 - Australia were all out for the lowest total in Ashes history in the first Test of the 1902 series at Edgbaston, but salvaged a draw thanks to rain.

Ashes series dates

• First Test (Aug 1-5)
  Venue: Edgbaston, Birmingham
• Second Test (Aug 14-18)
  Venue: Lord's, London,
• Third Test (Aug 22-26)
  Venue: Headingley, Leeds
• Fourth Test (Sept 4-8)
  Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
• Fifth Test (Sept 12-16)
  Venue: The Oval, London

Related links

• Ashes: Test dates, venues & results
• Ashes betting preview and tips
• Specials betting preview
• England's key players
• Australia's key players
• Richard Mann's Ashes diary: Two
• Richard Mann's Ashes diary: One