The Ashes 2015.

Derek S-H

Yes, the greatest sporting event of the year is due to start today!

Both our men and women play Australia, and if the recent mini series against New Zealand is anything to go by, then we are in for an absolute treat.

Our women have every chance of retaining the trophy, the men less so. On paper the teams are fairly well matched - the Aussies have a better top order and a more potent bowling attack, England bat a long way down and the conditions should suit our bowlers better.

But the English "Summer" nearly always intervenes and Cook is not a proactive captain at all, he is naturally defensive, unlike Eoin Morgan who was simply sensational in the shorter formats recently.

I just hope that come August, and the footie returns to barge everything off the sports front pages, there's still all to play for and it can go either way.

hutch

The poms putting up their usual fight I see....

faiz0

Decent recovery by Root and Ballance so far, that drop will cost the Aussies.

davema1kin

Getting to be a decent score now after a shaky start. Aussies will be regretting dropping Root on 0

faiz0

Big final few overs here with the new ball.

Derek S-H

Great innings by Joe (a future England captain for sure) and a gutsy one by Ballance, but the Aussies were too wayward and not consistent enough in their lines and lengths.

The pitch seems quite slow too.

Hard to say how the series will pan out after the first day. We'll have to see how England bowl and the Aussies bat to have a clearer idea. Danger man: Steve Smith, currently the number 1 batsman in the world.

hutch

Decent platform for England that, will have to dig in deep

faiz0

This pitch has got nothing in it, can see Australia racking up a big lead.

Derek S-H

It definitely won't be a great series if they keep producing pitches like that.

It neutered Mitchell Johnson (0-100 ), the Aussie batsmen got impatient and got out and there's uneven bounce.

England's day, I'd say.

faiz0

Great bowling performance by England from tea onwards, barely given the Aussies anything to hit.