To cricket fans, there’s nothing more exciting than a first Ashes Test. Forget your World Cups and Twenty20s – winning the Ashes is the biggest feather in a cap for any cricketer from old rivals England and Australia. Today sees the start of the latest chapter in the 135-year sporting story and you’ll be able to watch all of the action Edgbaston 1st Test action between England vs Australia no matter where you are in the world with our 2019 Ashes live stream guide.
Watch an Ashes live stream when away from your country
For cricket fans in the UK, Australia, India or the US and looking to find out how to watch the Ashes, we’ve got all the details about the broadcasters with the rights to show the England vs Australia Test series in your region below.
Which dates are the fixtures?
First Test – August 1-5 (Edgbaston)
Second Test – August 14-18 (Lord’s)
Third Test – August 22-26 (Headlingley)
Fourth Test – September 4-8 (Old Trafford)
Fifth Test – September 12-16 (The Oval)
Ashes 2019 live stream: how to watch every England vs Australia cricket Test from anywhere
How can I watch the Ashes on TV this summer?
Find out more in our handy how to watch guide.
Watch Ashes 2019 UK vs AUS NOW TV with a VSports Pass from Free Trial 7Day
Alternative: http://bit.ly/2GI3yDd
What is the latest Ashes news?
England begin their quest to reclaim the Ashes at their Edgbaston stronghold on Thursday, with captain Joe Root vowing to lead from the front.
Little more than a fortnight after capturing the nation’s imagination by winning the World Cup in an unforgettably tense Lord’s final, England take on their oldest, fiercest rivals Australia in the first of five Specsavers Test matches.
The omens are good for England, who have not lost an Ashes series on home turf since 2001 and have won each of their previous 11 internationals in Birmingham, but it is the tourists who head in as holders of the urn following a 4-0 success Down Under 18 months ago.
That was Root’s first Ashes as captain, meaning he has still to achieve a childhood ambition of steering his country to glory in the sport’s biggest Test series.
“I dreamed about it from being a little boy and obviously it became more real having been put in a position to have that opportunity,” he said.
“It’s easy to get carried away but it is something growing up as a kid you want to be a part of. When you get the opportunity to captain your country, that’s a privilege for anyone and it’s an opportunity for this team to put themselves in the bracket with some famous teams.”
Root heads into the opening match having reclaimed the number three slot in the order, a problematic position in recent years but one he finally feels ready to flourish in.
“It gives me an opportunity to lead from the front,” he said of his promotion.
“It is another opportunity to take my leadership forward and show the rest of the group that it is something I’m more than prepared to do, that I’m not expecting anyone to do something that I wouldn’t.
“Hopefully this can be a series where I stamp my authority in the role and make it my own.”
England named their XI on the eve of the match, Jofra Archer made to wait for his Test debut after the combination of a side strain and stiff competition from the experienced trio of James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes all selected.
Australia captain Tim Paine declined to follow suit, keeping his side under wraps until the toss.
Paine was bullish about the Edgbaston factor in his pre-match press conference, responding with incredulity when asked if there was ‘a more intimidating’ venue in cricket.
“Than this? I could name you 15,” he said, a response which is likely to spur on the Barmy Army and rowdy fans who populate the Hollies Stand.
Paine was appointed as captain in the aftermath of the Cape Town sandpaper scandal and is set to lead a side featuring all three of the ball tampering trio: Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft.
Asked about his expectations for the team’s on-field conduct, Paine revealed they had been using an inspirational quote attributed, inaccurately, to a former British Prime Minister.
“Our guys understand what’s expected of them. They are role models not just for Australian people but all around the world,” said Paine.
“There’s been a quote hanging around the changing room this week from Winston Churchill and that’s that ‘behaviour doesn’t lie’.
“We can talk all we like about how we’re going to behave, ultimately you guys will see how we behave and can judge for yourselves.”
