Why is the Ashes called the Ashes? Cricket’s fiercest rivalry explained
ENGLAND and Australia will face off in Brisbane tonight for the first test of the Ashes 2017. But why is the Ashes called the Ashes?
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England’s cricket team are in Australia where they are hoping to win their first Ashes trophy Down Under since 2011.
The Ashes has become one of the most hotly contested events in the sporting calendar and both teams will be desperate to claim the bragging rights.
Why is the Ashes called the Ashes?
The competition as we know it dates back to 1882, when Australia beat England at home for the first time.
WATCH FREE ASHES HIGHLIGHTS
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In a game that stunned the English cricket community, the Aussies fought from behind to snatch victory by just eight runs.
When England traveled to Australia for the next series, a pair of bails were burned and placed in the now-iconic Ashes Urn.
The two teams now compete every two years to win back the Ashes.
England cricket team go paintballing ahead of Ashes
Tue, November 14, 2017The England cricket team have been enjoying themselves paintballing in Townsville ahead of the first Ashes test against Australia
The England cricket team tried their hand at paintballing in Townsville
When does the Ashes start?
The first Test in Brisbane starts at 12am GMT (10am local time) on Thursday, 23 November - with the build up starting Wednesday night.
Lunch will be at 2am GMT, with tea at 4.40am GMT. The scheduled close of play is 7am GMT.
What channel is the Ashes on?
BT Sport have secured the rights to the Ashes this year and will broadcast the entire series.
Coverage of the first Test begins on BT Sport 1 at 11pm Wednesday night and runs until 8am.
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Ashes schedule
November 23-27, first Ashes Test, Brisbane (12am)
December 2-6, second Ashes Test, Adelaide (day-night; 4am)
December 14-18, third Ashes Test, Perth (2.30am)
December 26-30, fourth Ashes Test, Melbourne (11.30pm, December 25)
January 4-8, fifth Ashes Test, Sydney (11.30pm, January 3)
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Who will win the Ashes 2017?
Here are the latest Ashes odds from Betfair (accurate as of 5.20pm on November 22).
Betfair’s Katie Bayliss said: “Australia are clear favourites to regain the Ashes Urn and are odds on at 4/9 but interestingly punters have been backing England in the last couple of days for the upset.
“The Aussies may have home advantage and experts may be predicting a tough couple of months for the tourists, but punters clearly feel the Australians' superiority has been exaggerated."
Captain Joe Root says England are "ready to go" in their defence of the Ashes.
"Even when we have been playing football in the warm-up, the intensity has stepped up," Root told BBC Sport.
"We're in a really good place. We just want to get out there now."
Winner of the first test:
Australia 5/6
England 11/4
The Draw 7/2
Winner of the series:
Australia 4/9
Draw 17/2
England 3/1
