The 2023 Ashes series begins on Friday morning at Edgbaston.

A rejuvenated England side under the captaincy of Ben Stokes will try to beat World Test champions Australia and lift the urn for the first time since 2015.

We have all the key information ahead of a potential five-match classic between two old foes.

Dates and venues

First Test

Dates: June 16-20

 Venue: Edgbaston, Birmingham

Second Test

Dates: June 28-July 2

Venue: Lord's, London

Third Test

Dates: July 6-10

Venue: Headingley, Leeds

Fourth Test

Dates: July 19-23

Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester

Fifth Test

Dates: July 27-31

Venue: The Oval, London

State of play

England

Ageless duo James Anderson, 40, and Stuart Broad, 36, will lead England's attack alongside rising star Ollie Robinson, who currently takes wickets at an average of 21.27.

Opening batsman Ben Duckett is a player to watch out for, especially after his eye-catching 182 against Ireland earlier this month.

Jonny Bairstow, who will take the wicketkeeping gloves at Ben Foakes' expense, is another name that leaps off the page following his memorable 2022.

The Yorkshireman played in eight Tests and scored 1,066 runs at an average of 82.00, hitting six centuries in total.

If England are to regain the Ashes, they will need Bairstow in a similar vein of form as part of a powerful middle order which includes Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Stokes and multi-format sensation Harry Brook.

Brook, 24, will be playing against the Aussies in a Test for the first time and the talented right-handed batsman currently averages 81.80.

Australia

David Warner, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja and Alex Carey feature in a formidable batting lineup. 

And Australia have a new superstar in the form of 6ft 7in all-rounder Cameron Green.

The 24-year-old made his Test debut against India in December 2020 and is now one of the first names on the team sheet.

Green averages 36.00 with the bat and 33.84 with the ball.

Australia also boast another new weapon in bowler Scott Boland, 34, who picked up key wickets in the World Test Championship final victory over India — and currently averages 14.57 in the format. 

Boland, Green, captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon will give Bazball its sternest examination yet.

Injuries

England

Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum will be without frontline spinner Jack Leach, who has been ruled out of the whole series and replaced by Moeen Ali.

Jofra Archer will play no part, while fellow X-factor seamer Olly Stones is unlikely to feature either.

Australia

Metronomic bowler Josh Hazlewood was Cummins' only injury concern but he is expected to be available for the Edgbaston Test.

What have the captains said?

Stokes: "It's not like any other series. There's the pressure, the hype and the extra noise that comes with it, but we’re ready for all that this summer.

"We've had some good results in the last year and the mindset in the group is so strong. Everyone is fully committed to what we’re doing."

Cummins: "Whether we like it or not, Ashes tend to define eras and teams. We've played awesome cricket for the last two years and being there at the end holding the trophy feels really well deserved.

"That's great for our team and Ashes are hard to win. It's not going to be easy but if we were to win it, that is legacy-defining stuff."