THE ASHES 2015: ENGLAND VS AUSTRALIA TEAM NEWS

Mark Wood has just the right mix of attitude and ability... he was impressive and England kept their discipline on a tough pitch on day two of the first Ashes Test against Australia

09/07/15 23:42

Chris Rogers enjoys Ashes cricket and it's clear to see why... his 95 was compact and well-organised against England on day two

09/07/15 23:41

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 

09/07/15 22:44

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

09/07/15 22:38

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 

09/07/15 22:35

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

09/07/15 22:34

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

09/07/15 22:30

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

09/07/15 21:08

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

09/07/15 20:34

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

09/07/15 19:32

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

09/07/15 18:41

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 

09/07/15 14:51

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

09/07/15 11:37

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  

09/07/15 10:10

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

09/07/15 07:37

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

09/07/15 07:22

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

09/07/15 05:31

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

09/07/15 01:06

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

08/07/15 22:48

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

08/07/15 22:42

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

08/07/15 21:34

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

08/07/15 18:26

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

08/07/15 16:04

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

08/07/15 16:03

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

08/07/15 16:03

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******!'

08/07/15 16:02

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

08/07/15 16:01

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?

08/07/15 16:00

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

08/07/15 16:00

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

08/07/15 15:59

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 

08/07/15 15:59

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

08/07/15 07:53

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 

08/07/15 07:05

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

07/07/15 22:30

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  

07/07/15 20:59

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

07/07/15 16:15

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

07/07/15 15:55

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?

07/07/15 15:35

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

07/07/15 15:31

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  

07/07/15 13:10

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.

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