Ashes 2019: England v Australia fixtures, dates and how to watch on TV in the UAE

What: The Ashes

This is a series of Test matches played between England and Australia. It is usually held every two years, with the two countries taking turns to host it. It normally comprises at least five, sometimes six, five-day matches. It has been held 70 times since England hosted the first series – this one being a one-off match – in 1882.

When: August-September

The first of five Tests to be held in this year's edition will get under way on August 1 at Edgbaston, Birmingham. The last day of the final Test is scheduled to be held on September 16 at the Oval, London.

Where: England

The series will be held in five stadiums across four cities: Edgbaston (Birmingham), Lord's (London), Headingley (Leeds), Old Trafford (Manchester) and the Oval (London).

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13 weird and wonderful trophies in sport

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 08: Steve Smith and David Warner of Australia celebrate with the Ashes Urn in the change rooms during day five of the Fifth Test match in the 2017/18 Ashes Series between Australia and England at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 8, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

You are looking at a tiny urn being held by captain Steve Smith, left, and vice-captain David Warner after Australia beat England in a five-match cricket Test series in 2017. It is a replica of the actual urn which supposedly holds the ashes of a burnt cricket bail, which was presented to England captain Ivo Bligh as a personal gift after a friendly match during the 1882/83 tour in Australia. The replica is handed to the winner of this Test series usually held every two years between the game's traditional rivals. Getty Images

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A brief history:

England and Australia are cricket's traditional rivals. They have played 346 Tests against each other since 1877, with England winning 108 times and Australia 144. They have drawn on 94 occasions.

Although they played their first ever Test at Melbourne in March 1877, the Ashes series kicked off with a solitary Test at the Oval in London in December 1882.

After England's defeat in that game, a mock obituary appeared in the Sporting Times newspaper declaring the death of English cricket. "The body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia," the obit read, inspiring captain Ivo Bligh to make the pledge to bring the "Ashes" home from Australia after the return series.

While Australia have won more Tests than England, the series head-to-head is much closer, at 33-32 to Australia, with five series having been drawn.

However, it should be noted that while Australia are holders of the urn – by virtue of having won it at home in 2017 – England have won five of the last eight series and not lost at home since 2001.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 22: England captain Joe Root holds a replica Ashes urn as he poses for a portrait on July 22, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) — England captain Joe Root holds a replica of the Ashes urn as he poses for a portrait on Monday in London. Gareth Copley / Getty Images

Captains:

England: Joe Root

Australia: Tim Paine

Squads:

England: Joe Root, Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler (wk), Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes.

Australia: Tim Paine, Cameron Bancroft, Patrick Cummins, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner.