Captain Andrew Flintoff prepares for departure as England head down under to defend the Ashes against Australia

Flintoff is hoping to become the first England skipper to win a Test series in Australia since Mike Gatting in 1986-87

The ICC's emerging player of the year Ian Bell, and all-rounder Liam Plunkett are touring Australia for the first time

Batsman Alistair Cook is also making his Ashes debut in Australia after a bright start to his international career

Much will rest on the shoulders of paceman Steve Harmison while Ashley Giles faces competition in the spin department

The tourists face a daunting three-month schedule which begins on 9 November against the Prime Minister's XI

The squad lines up for the obligatory photo on the stairs with the flight attendants before departing Heathrow at 2130 GMT