Played as a best-of-three matches, the ‘Ashes’ name and format was adopted from the popular cricket series of the same title, in which England and Australia also compete over a series of games.<\/p>\n
Hosting duties usually alternate between the two nations, but the Kangaroos have opted to tour the northern hemisphere in 2025.<\/p>\n
The tests between 1908 and 2003 featured the now-defunct Great Britain side taking on Australia.<\/p>\n
Great Britain won the inaugural 1908 test series 2-0, with the first match ending in a draw.<\/p>\n
It was played at Park Royal in London – the former home of Queens Park Rangers – to a crowd of around 2,000 people, with the remaining matches in Newcastle and Birmingham.<\/p>\n
Of the 39 test series played so far, England have won 19 and Australia have won 20 – including the last 13 consecutive series dating from 1970 to 2003.<\/p>\n
Great Britain had won 24 of the 39 Tests that took place before 1945 – but the tide has since turned in the favour of the Kangaroos.<\/p>\n
This will be the first Ashes series that England have not played as Great Britain.<\/p>\n
All three Tests will be live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.<\/p>\n