The Ashes, contained in a tiny urn, are part of cricketing folklore, fought over by generations of the best cricketers in England and Australia since 1882. Andrew Strauss's England defend the prize this winter
Ricky Ponting, pictured here after Australia's 2006-07 success, has already led his team to two Ashes failures in England - and will be desperate to stop England winning their first series on Australian soil since 1986-87
A long period of Australian dominance comes to an end with an extraordinary series in 2005, Kevin Pietersen's final-day century at The Oval proving enough to wrest the urn back from Australia
The 2006-07 series promises to be another closely-fought series as thousands of England fans head down under looking to celebrate more English success - but those dreams are cruelly shattered
In an awesome display, Australia secure a 5-0 series whitewash with familiar foes such as Matthew Hayden (left), Adam Gilchrist (second left) and Shane Warne (right) sparkling for the final time in an Ashes series
England 2009: Andrew Flintoff's final Ashes series, in which he battles his injury demons, sees him produce a match-winning bowling performance on the final day at Lord's, where the home side go 1-0 up in the series
Australia's victory at Headingley, however, sets up a decider at The Oval. But England produce a stirring display, and victory is sealed when Mike Hussey is caught by Alastair Cook off Graeme Swann
England capitalise on their Ashes success to win three and draw one of their following four Test series. There are few surprises when they name their 16-man squad to return to Australia, with Monty Panesar included
England's preparation looks smooth until, on a pre-tour bonding camp in Germany, some boxing bouts prompt controversy when James Anderson (second right) sustains a rib injury
After a run of poor scores, Pietersen heads to his native South Africa to turn out for the Durban-based Dolphins franchise. Required to bat just twice in two first-class matches, he produces scores of 36 and 0
Australia play two Tests in India in October, narrowly losing the first thanks to a brilliant innings from VVS Laxman (pictured) and finding themselves well beaten in the second match in Bangalore
Worse is to come for Australia - after losing a one-day match in India, they are then beaten by Sri Lanka in a Twenty20 and an ODI and are now without a win for seven matches
England, on the other hand, arrive in Australia full of confidence after beating Pakistan 3-1 in their last Test series - and carrying enough luggage to last a lifetime
It's scorching in Perth but coach Andy Flower wants his side to be ready and puts them through their paces as the Ashes heat rises, with Jonathan Trott showing a good turn of pace
Anderson, working out with fellow fast bowler Steven Finn, proves he has overcome his rib injury ahead of England's opening tour match against Western Australia in Perth on Friday
The series starts at Brisbane's Gabba on 25 November, a venue so intimidating it is sometimes known as the "Gabbatoir". England have won just four Tests here, the last in 1986. (Text by Oliver Brett)
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