Features

Also: who has played the most Tests since 2005 without appearing in a T20I?

Aborted launch to pace race leaves Joe Root banking on usual diet of seam and swing

Fast bowlers as Test leaders are a rarity, usually only called on in an emergency

England have lost nine of their last 10 Tests in Australia, but with Root in form and a promising pace attack, they will hope to change the narrative

England have only won five Ashes series in Australia since 1945 - and one since the 1980s

Time for Joe Root's men to set aside their baggage and take on the old enemy once again

Ashwin completed 300 Test wickets at home and bagged 50 in a calendar year for the fourth time

All the bantz, the jousts, and little bit of eavesdropping from the social media playground and beyond

And what are the best innings figures in an Ashes Test down under?

The series will continually be stalked by Covid-19, but the chance to hold the urn aloft on home soil beckons

After being hit by injury last season questions have been asked about whether Warner can dominate Test cricket again

Data on release points and trajectory are helping to break down the mysteries of why some bowlers are harder to face than others

They will sometimes miss an edge or two, and sometimes it will happen in clumps, but that doesn't make a bad umpire

His 14 for 225 are the best figures by any bowler in a Test match against India

Australia have a good attack, established stars with the bat, and a new captain who is the best man for the job

Ashwin and Jadeja have been supreme, but since 2016, the quicks have been spectacular too

A set of ignominious records that the Black Caps now own after their dismal display in Mumbai

National team's white-ball success and players' availability behind influx of Englishmen

Ajaz was persistent in his 10-for much like his immigrant family has been, but he would have probably liked more from his team-mates

Ajaz also bowled a higher percentage of overs than any spinner in the first innings since 1952