Ashes 2023: What are the Ashes? Cricket's oldest rivalry explained

Australia and England are going head-to-head in one of the biggest competitions in cricket - the Ashes.

The special series of matches between England and Australia are cricket's most historic rivalry and one of the longest-running face-offs in sport.

The two nations meet roughly every two years, with the winners claiming one of the most famous (and smallest) trophies in sport - the Ashes urn.

It is held alternately in England and Australia, with England hosting this time.

The two men's sides have played each other since 1877 and compete over five Test matches, each lasting five days.

The women's series is a multi-format contest made up of one five-day Test, three T20s and three 50-over matches.

The 73rd series begins at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Friday 16 June. Find out more below about the series' history and the players to watch out for this year.

The story of the Ashes began way back in 1882 when England were beaten at home at the Oval for the first time by Australia.

The series defeat shocked the sporting world at the time and prompted The Sporting Times newspaper to print a joke story on the 'death of English cricket'.

The newspaper said English cricket would be burnt down and the ashes sent to Australia.

When England next toured Australia those ashes became real - a pair of bails were burned and the ashes put into the now famous urn.

The winning players are given a replica to celebrate with, as the real trophy is far too fragile.

More than 100 years later, the original urn lives in the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) museum at Lord's cricket ground in London.

Australia are the current holders of the men's and women's Ashes and it is England's task this summer to regain them.

England's men haven't held the Ashes since 2017 and overall, Australia have won 34 series and England has won 32, and six series have been drawn.

Since losing 4-0 when these sides last met down under 18 months ago, England's men have been flying under captain Ben Stokes.

They have won 11 of 13 Tests and have done so playing a thrilling, attacking style - breaking records, hitting sixes and taking wickets like never before.

However, Australia, ruthlessly beat India to become World Champions earlier this months so are in top form.

In the men's game, Australia have dominated the tournament in recent history.

The Baggy Greens, a nickname given to the Aussies thanks to the caps they wear on their heads, won the series 5-0 in 2006/07, 5-0 in 2013/2014 and 4-0 in 2017/18.

A draw in 2019 meant Australia held on to the Ashes (to get them you have to win them) and in 2021 they won the five-match series 4-0.

England's women's team haven't won the Ashes since 2014.

So England have a lot to do!

The Men's series kicks off first, and England are led by Ben Stokes, who famously helped England win the World Cup in 2019 and played one of the greatest innings of all-time in the drawn Ashes series later that summer.

Other key players include batter and former captain Joe Root and bowler James Anderson, who, now aged 40, could be playing his last Ashes series .

England's new rising star is batter Harry Brook. This winter he scored four centuries in his first seven Tests!

Australia's team is rightly famous with current first, second and third best batsmen in the Test rankings!

In second place is batter Steve Smith, who is world famous for his style and his ability to keep scoring high numbers of runs. Team-mate Marnus Labuschagne is a place above him in the world rankings.

Australia's bowlers will be led by captain Pat Cummins.

The women's teams play a version of the Ashes too.

England will be led by Heather Knight and Meg Lanning will lead the Australia team.

The first women's Test series between England and Australia - the first women's Test series anywhere - was played in 1934-35.

The contest was not officially called 'the Women's Ashes' until 1998, when an autographed bat was burned before the first Test at Lord's, and the ashes were placed inside a cricket ball to make a trophy.

In 2013, a new Women's Ashes trophy was produced.

The Women's Ashes is decided from a mix of matches - Tests, One Day Internationals and Twenty20 International matches as well.

Four points are awarded for victory in a Test match, two each for a draw, and two points for winning a One Day or Twenty20 match.

Australia are the current champions after winning the 2021/22 Women's Ashes.

The first 2023 Women's Ashes Test starts on 22 June and the series goes on until 18 July.