´óÏó´«Ã½

David Warner will be sitting much more comfortably if it's right that Broad is sitting this game out.

I'm going to miss that battle.

Charlie: This is an impossible choice even without Jimmy. Robinson was the best English bowler in 2021, Woakes is consistent and can bat. Broad is... Stuart Broad and Wood has to play at the Gabba. 40 minutes to go and all I can decide is that we need to play with 12 players.

Geoff Lemon
Australian journalist on Test Match Special

Image source, Getty Images

I'm told the ground is sold out - 42,000, so it should be loud. But there's enough ex-pats in Brisbane to ensure some England support.

Mark Wood is currently marking out his run. He's playing. The suggestions are he'll be joined by Chris Woakes, Ollie Robinson and Jack Leach in England's attack.

It's a tough decision but I'd want either Broad or Anderson in there for this opener.

Steven Finn
Former England bowler on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Test Match Special

If England win or draw this match, their chance of success in the series significantly increases. Momentum in series like these is crucial.

Very ominous there from Mike.

Who else has snacks at the ready? Coffee and lots more coffee? I fear my diet may take a hit in the next few weeks.

Let me know your plans to get through the night.

Mike: When I rolled my pastry out earlier it accidentally ended up looking like Australia. Maybe my rolling pin has the same skills that octopus had at predicting sporting events.

Image source, Twitter

It's overcast in Brisbane at the moment, dare I say it a swing bowler's morning.

There has been so much talk about the weather over the last few days. The forecast is not great but it is better than it was a few days ago.

´óÏó´«Ã½ cricket correspondent on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Test Match Special

England have voluntarily gone into the first Test of an Ashes series without more than 1,000 Test wickets!

Jim Maxwell
´óÏó´«Ã½ Test Match Special

I don't get England's selection. You play your best team! The way Broad had the X over Warner in the last series... you play him!

´óÏó´«Ã½ cricket correspondent on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Test Match Special

I wonder if the fact England are going to play a second day-nighter in the fifth Test has changed England's selection going into this first Test. We don't think Stuart Broad is playing in this Test now - we're fairly certain of that.

We already know James Anderson is not playing today - rested rather than injured - but there are strong suggestions coming from Brisbane that England have also left out Stuart Broad.

He's currently smiling and laughing with someone on the boundary edge.

Huge call.

Image source, Getty Images

The players have arrived at the Gabba and are going through some warm-ups.

The toss is 20 minutes away.

Image source, Getty Images

Bradman's brilliance and Botham's swagger. Warne's wizardry and Flintoff's firepower. Smith's splendour and Stokes' superhero efforts.

The Ashes has a back catalogue to better any of the greats.

What will 2021-22 bring? England couldn't, could they?

Image source, Getty Images

Hello.

That feeling in the pit of your stomach, hours spent watching previous glory days, cricket dominating the sporting headlines.

It can mean only one thing. The Ashes are here. The first Test begins in less than an hour's time.

Image source, Getty Images

Strap yourselves in, set the alarms and pour the coffee.

Here begins six weeks like no other in sport.

Image source, Getty Images

And the groggy days...

Image source, Getty Images

The sleepless nights...

Image source, Getty Images

And the lows...

Image source, Getty Images

For the highs...

Image source, Getty Images