IT'S time for all the stories, 'thrash-talk' and build-up to take a backseat. In about 12 hours, Australia and England will lock horns for Ashes bragging rights in Brisbane tomorrow.
Currently, England are the holders of the Urn but will take the field at the Gabba as underdogs. Meanwhile, the hosts are all pumped up for the series and given their impeccable record at the Gabba, there is little to argue against them.
England will be without their marquee all-rounder Ben Stokes and that has already put the visitors on the backfoot. Meanwhile, both teams have already declared their playing 11 for the first Test.
As far as team combination goes for the series, we feel there is little to choose between the two sides. While the Aussies will rely on skipper Smith, deputy Warner, seamer Starc and spinner Lyon, the tourists will pin their hopes on opener Cook, captain Root, and seamers Anderson and Broad.
Sure, England got whitewashed during the 2013/14 summer Down Under, but given the form, strength and weaknesses of both teams, we don't see a repeat. In fact, this could be one of the closely fought Ashes series in the recent memory.
As we near the first ball, let's take a look at some important moments that we might witness during the course of the next 45 days.