NASSER HUSSAIN: This England attack looks nicely balanced. It’s not quite in the league of the 2005 unit, but the three main seamers all offer different skills: the swing of Jimmy Anderson, the bounce of Stuart Broad and the pace and skiddiness of Mark Wood. Throw in the occasional burst from Ben Stokes, whose slower ball got rid of Adam Voges at the end, plus the off-spin of Moeen Ali, and Alastair Cook has some decent options. The guy who really impressed me, though, was Wood. Usually when a bowler comes on to the international scene, he is not the finished product. But, in his brief England career so far, I’ve not seen Wood look out of his depth at all. New guys occasionally look like liabilities. Not Wood. ...read
THE ASHES 2015: ENGLAND VS AUSTRALIA TEAM NEWS
Chris Rogers enjoys Ashes cricket and it's clear to see why... his 95 was compact and well-organised against England on day two
TOP SPIN AT THE TEST - ASHES SPECIAL: Chris Rogers rarely features in pre-series rundowns of the men to watch, but he obviously enjoys Ashes cricket, scoring 95 on day two in Cardiff.
Moeen Ali takes strength from his faith to make a fast start to the Ashes in Cardiff
MARTIN SAMUEL: The religious observance, remains and Ali says he draws strength from it. He is not the first Muslim to play cricket for England but he is probably the most recognisably devout.
Cardiff was a stunning setting to watch Moeen Ali's heroics- BUMBLE AT THE TEST
Sportsmail columnist and Sky Sports pundit David Lloyd looks back at a dramatic second day of Ashes action involving umpire decisions, water taxis, and an encounter with Trevor Bayliss.
England in 'pole position' in first Ashes 2015 Test says Moeen Ali after spinner's impact and late wickets build momentum
Moeen Ali shone with bat and ball on the second day of the Ashes in Cardiff — and insisted England were in ‘pole position’ against the stumbling Australians.
Moeen Ali proves his worth with bat and ball as spinner stars on day two of Ashes 2015 first Test, but match still hangs in balance
PAUL NEWMAN AT THE SWALEC STADIUM: The wave of euphoria that rightly greeted England’s one-day awakening could have swept Moeen Ali away here and replaced him with Adil Rashid.
Ashes 2015 day two at a glance: England in the ascendancy thanks to late wickets
England ended day two of the first Ashes Test match in Cardiff with a slight advantage after three wickets in the final session moved them ahead. Sportsmail reviews the action from Cardiff.
Mitchell Johnson receives standing ovation from England fans before doffing his cap after worst-ever Test figures
Mitchell Johnson tormented England's batsmen during the 5-0 Ashes whitewash 18 months ago but the Australia paceman came in for some stick from the Barmy Army on Thursday.
Stuart Broad survives controversial catch appeal to draw Australia anger AGAIN
Stuart Broad found himself at the centre of controversy in the Ashes once again - and the subject of more boos from Australia supporters - after surviving an appeal for a catch on day two in Cardiff.
Slow pitch doesn't help England, and neither did the pomp and circumstance of opening ceremony - BUMBLE AT THE TEST
Sportsmail columnist and Sky Sports pundit David Lloyd looks back at the Ashes opener, on a day when he has been wandering around Cardiff in a disguise...
The Ashes 2015 Day Two recap: England vs Australia cricket score from Cardiff
England had a good day on the second day in Cardiff as they added 87 runs to their overnight total and then end the day with Australia 264-5. Re-live Sportsmail's live coverage of all the action.
Ashes live! England vs Australia cricket score - Follow the first Test from Cardiff
England take on Australia in the eagerly-anticipated first Investec Ashes Test at Cardiff this week. Follow the latest with our live scorecard here.
The Ashes 2015 DAY one recap: England vs Australia cricket score from Cardiff
England and Australia renew the oldest rivalry in sport as the 2015 Ashes series begins at the SWALEC stadium in Cardiff. Re-live over-by-over coverage from Day One of the first Test.
Mitchell Johnson struggles reminiscent of 2009 slump but Mitchell Starc justifies the hype on day one of Ashes 2015 first Test
Most of the Ashes preamble has focused on the threat of Australia’s Mitchells — Johnson and Starc — but the pace pair endured contrasting fortunes on the opening day at Cardiff.
Joe Root hits 134 as England battle back from a poor start to reach 343-7 vs Australia on day one of the first Ashes 2015 Test
PAUL NEWMAN AT THE SWALEC STADIUM: Just when it seemed the ghosts of recent Ashes past had returned to haunt England, Joe Root and Ben Stokes showed Australia things might be a little different.
Joe Root provides the real fireworks with a dominant display in first Ashes 2015 Test on a day full of delays
MARTIN SAMUEL IN CARDIFF: Root’s century in 118 balls was the fastest in a first Ashes Test and inside the top six for an Englishman in any Ashes series.
Now it's the turn of the cricket WAGS! Kyly Clarke and Candice Falzon lead glamorous Australian support on first day of the Ashes Test at Cardiff's Swalec Stadium
The first ball of the Ashes series was smashed at Cardiff's Swalec stadium today. Cheering on the Australians was a glamorous collective led by Kyly Clarke.
Joe Root desperate to reclaim the Ashes but admits he rode his luck during the first Test
Joe Root spoke of his burning desire to win back after the Ashes after his superb 134 rescued England on the opening day of the first Test.
Ashes 2015 day one at a glance: England rescued by Joe Root as Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc do damage for Australia
England encountered a mixed opening day in the first Ashes Test against Australia on Wednesday. Here, Sportsmail reviews the action on day one from the Swalec Stadium.
Gary Ballance shows he has the guts to succeed when his technique is tested... I'd take mental toughness over technical brilliance every time in Ashes Tests
NASSER HUSSAIN: Amid all the pressure of the opening day of the Ashes, to score 61 and help drag England out of trouble told us a lot about Gary Ballance's temperament.
Ian Bell is in danger of regressing with England... his next few Ashes innings could be the biggest of his career
TOP SPIN - ASHES SPECIAL: On Wednesday, as England batsman Ian Bell fell leg-before seventh ball to Mitchell Starc for a single, it was as if he was living down to expectations.
Geraint Jones, England's 2005 Ashes keeper, to retire at the end of the season
England's 2005 Ashes-winning wicketkeeper Geraint Jones has relinquished the Gloucestershire captaincy and announced he will retire from cricket at the end of the season.
England can win the Ashes if they carry on playing as they did against us in ODIs, says New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum
Brendon McCullum is pondering how England were able to follow New Zealand’s high-octane example and suddenly transform themselves from World Cup dinosaurs to one-day world-beaters.
Bumble's guide to Cardiff: Shirley Bassey and beers make the Welsh capital my kind of city
It’s got a lot going for it, has Cardiff, but I might be biased because I’m part Welsh. So ‘bore da, sut wyt ti’ to you all and if that’s rude blame my grandad Arthur because he was from here.
Alastair Cook will be a legend whether England win or lose the Ashes to Australia
MARTIN SAMUEL: We all know what Alastair Cook is. He’s a lousy captain. Yet if he wins - and it is a big if, of course - he will be only the third Englishman to triumph in two home Ashes series. So he can’t be a mug.
Brendon McCullum's guide to England and Australia heading into the Ashes: 'Alastair Cook is a stubborn b******!'
Having just played England in all forms of the game off the back of a World Cup final defeat by Australia, New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum knows a thing or two about both sides.
England must bat first and bat all day if Alastair Cook wins toss in first Ashes Test
Former England captain NASSER HUSSAIN addresses the issues which could settle the series. He urges England captain Alastair Cook to bat first and bat big in Cardiff.
Is Ben Stokes plotting a recipe for Ashes success while out for dinner with his son on eve of the opening Test?
England all-rounder Ben Stokes didn't look too impressed as he shared a picture of himself and his young son covered in culinary stickers as they waited for their meal at a restaurant.
As England and Australia prepare to do battle in the oldest rivalry in sport, here are some stats and facts ahead of the series
Alastair Cook will be hoping he can lift 11cm Ashes urn above his head in celebration in six weeks’ time. Here are some fascinating stats and facts about the oldest rivalry in sport.
Steve Harmison roughing up Justin Langer in 2005, Andrew Strauss out for a duck in 2010... a look back at memorable first overs in recent Ashes series
The first ball of an Ashes series. Is there a more keenly-anticipated moment in sport? Wide-eyed batsman crouched in his guard, snarling fast bowler sprinting in; anything is possible.
Nick Compton and Shaun Tait give their verdict on the Australia pace attack ahead of the Ashes
They’ve been labelled the most fearsome pace attack in cricket, but what exactly should we expect from Australia’s fast bowlers? Sportsmail gets the lowdown from two players who knows them well.
Australia are red-hot favourites but England can regain the Ashes if they fight fire with fire... a new, bold team under Trevor Bayliss can cause the opposition real problems
PAUL NEWMAN: Little more than a month ago it hardly seemed worth England turning up for the Ashes. Perhaps now, however, they can dare to dream if they fight fire with fire.
Australia captain Michael Clarke gets pre-Ashes boost as he and his wife announce they are expecting their first child
Clarke may not yet have even begun the biggest series Test cricket has to offer, but he and his wife Kyly are already feeling like winners after announcing they are expecting their first child.
Cardiff prepares to host the first 2015 Ashes Test... here is your guide to the numbers behind the venue for England's opener
England take on Australia in the first Ashes Test on Wednesday, beginning a summer of action which will see them play 25 days of cricket to decide the destination of the little urn.
Alastair Cook tips Ben Stokes to play the 'Andrew Flintoff role' and inspire England to Ashes 2015 victory over Australia
LAWRENCE BOOTH: Alastair Cook has backed Ben Stokes to play the Andrew Flintoff role this summer as England seek to rewind a decade and recreate the Ashes fervour of 2005
Australia captain Michael Clarke admits he considered using four seamers after seeing Cardiff pitch... and says there is no room for individuals in his team ahead of Ashes 2015
Australia captain Michael Clarke has admitted he considered going into the Ashes with four seamers after seeing the grass on Cardiff's SWALEC Stadium pitch on Monday.
Jimmy Anderson must forget about runs and go on the attack from the start
Former England captain Nasser Hussain addresses the issues which could settle the series. He urges England captain Alastair Cook to pack the slip cordon in the hunt for early wickets.
Without an Ashes series victory in England for 14 years... can these mean and moody Australians secure a win to keep the urn?
With the first Ashes Test set to start in Cardiff on Wednesday, Sportsmail runs the rule over the 16-man Australia squad who will attempt to win their first series on English soil in 14 years.
England players gear up for first Ashes Test as squad pose for team photo before preparing for Australia with friendly kickabout
An Ashes series is a true test of a cricketer's mental strength, particularly coming off the back of a 5-0 whitewash, but England's players were showing little signs of the pressure getting to them.
Brad Haddin shrugs off peace talk ahead of Ashes and warns England that Australia are a 'totally different beast' to New Zealand
Australia wicketkeeper Brad Haddin bristled when told how refreshing it had been to see the spirit and smiles of England and New Zealand during their fantastic series of Test and limited-overs matches.
STARS OF SPORT
- Szczesny proposes to girlfriend Marina Luczenko (it's just a shame he's not loved as much by Arsenal) Former No 1 is engaged to Marina Luczenko
- Ings trains with Liverpool team-mates for first time (but sicknote Sterling skips session again) Danny Ings was joined by Mario Balotelli
- Manchester United target Ramos soaks up sun in Ibiza... but will the defender jump ship at Real Madrid? Could be a big transfer ahead for defender
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- The Barmy Army, beer and bizarre mascots... oh, and some cricket: The only guide to the Ashes 2015 you really need SPONSORED
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- Real Madrid complete Danilo deal in £22.6m transfer from Porto Brazilian defender has been unveiled as a Real Madrid player at the Santiago Bernabeu
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Welcome to Hollywood! Gerrard living LA lifestyle as Liverpool legend midfielder rubs shoulders with One Direction star Horan
LA Galaxy debut looms - Cech may be Arsenal's new No 1... but he's still Chelsea's poster boy! Chelsea's welcome to Stamford Bridge includes a picture of the ARSENAL goalkeeper
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Tottenham release new images of 61,000-seater stadium... which will host NFL games with a retractable pitch
Spurs confirm 10-year deal with the NFL
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Gerrard trains with LA Galaxy team-mates for the first time as he joins former Keane in MLS
Former England captain trained for the first time since leaving Liverpool
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- Beckham Jnr and Coughlin join host of US sports stars to strip for iconic ESPN Body Issue Some of the biggest names have bared all for this year's issue
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- Charlton stars Jackson and Henderson surprise fan by delivering season ticket in Del Boy's yellow van Charlton gave one fan a surprise of a lifetime
- Ashes hero Flintoff plays cricket with Parlour outside talkSPORT studio Flintoff and Parlour got in the mood for The Ashes with street game
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- What IS inside a golf ball? Ten sliced open to solve the mystery - and results are surprising Sheer curiosity lead to ten balls being clamped and sliced open
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- She's a keeper! United stopper Lindegaard cosies up to wife Misse Beqiri as he prepares for crunch season Anders Lindegaard posed with wife
- Battle Royal: Prince Charles greets England and Australia ahead of first Ashes Test England and Australia were given a Royal welcome to Cardiff
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Lampard gives fiancee a guided tour of the New York City training centre
After twenty years playing England, Frank Lampard is now loving his new adventure in New York
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Kane watches New York Yankees before Tottenham return
In the week many of his Tottenham team-mates reported to Hotspur Way, Harry Kane is on holiday
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Wozniacki catches up with Vonn at SW19
The pair - who have both been jilted by golfers - met up after Caroline Wozniacki blazed her way into the last 16
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- Lineker leads the sporting celeb crowd on Centre Court for day six of Wimbledon 2015 A host of celebrities and sporting icons watched the action in SW19
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