ASHES 1ST TEST: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

TV times, weather forecast, teams news, odds and more ahead of the Gabba showdown

It's the one we've all been waiting for.

On Thursday, the talking stops and the cricket starts as Australia and England lock horns in Brisbane in the first game of the Ashes series.

Here, The Cricketer runs down everything you need to know about the game, where to watch it and who's involved...

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Okay, what's the big deal?

Come on now, enough of that. This is the first match of the winter's Ashes series - the meeting of Australia and England. If you didn't know that, then we have a big problem.

Fine. Where is it?

Brisbane. The Queensland city is home to the Gabba, where England begin their quest to retain the Ashes.

The Gabba? Why's it called that?

The nickname is taken from the suburb of Woolloongabba, in which the 80,000-capacity concrete bowl is situated.

Any chance of an England win?

Some, sure, but only some. Australia haven't lost at this intimidating stadium since the late 1980s and England have endured some very difficult days there in recent years.

When does it all start?

Depends where in the world you are. In Australia, the first ball is due to be bowled at 11am EDT on Thursday. Back in Blighty, night owls will be able to catch the action from midnight. 

^{The Gabba will host the first Ashes Test}

Where can I watch it?

UK viewers should tune into BT Sport 1 (channel 408 on BT TV or TalkTalk, 427 on Sky), where coverage begins at 11pm on Wednesday night. Over in Australia, it's a Channel 9 jobbie.

What if I'm radio gaga?

More power to you. Test Match Special is on air on Five Live Sports Extra (digital radio; digital satellite channel 0144; Freeview channel 706; cable TV channel 864 or 908) and will broadcast every ball. For those who can't stay up, there's a full Ashes breakfast bulletin on the same station and a daily podcast online.

Is The Cricketer covering the Ashes?

Well yeah, of course. Follow our Twitter commentary and visit the site for an in-depth look at each day's play.

How long does it go on for?

Each day is roughly seven hours long, including lunch and tea intervals (tea and dinner when the circus moves to Adelaide for the day-night Test). And five days if it goes the distance.

What are the teams?

England's sticky build-up has loosened a tad of late. Jake Ball is fit and ready to play and batsmen like Mark Stoneman and Dawid Malan have been in good form.

Likely XI: Cook, Stoneman, Vince, Root, Malan, Bairstow, Ali, Woakes, Broad, Anderson, Ball

Australia have a minor worry over David Warner but otherwise the team picks itself from their 13-man squad.

Likely XI: Warner, Bancroft, Khawaja, Smith, Handscomb, Marsh, Paine, Starc, Hazlewood, Cummins, Lyon

^{Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad check out the Gabba pitch}

Whatever will the weather be?

Some rain is forecast on Wednesday but then mid to high-20s, mostly sunny, for the rest of the week. There could be a smattering of showers here or there but not enough to make a major impact on the game.

Who's the favourite?

Depends which voice you listen to. Shane Warne has been talking Australia down of late, while Nathan Lyon has been suggesting their bowlers could end English batsmen's careers. So make of that what you will.

What about the odds then?

England are the 3-1 underdog in places for the first Test, with Australia well fancied at 4-5. You can get 4-1 on the draw.

For the series, it's 17-5 England, 4-7 Australia and 17-2 the draw.

Thanks.

You're very welcome.

MORE FROM THE CRICKETER: England's survival guide for an overseas Ashes tour