England Cricketers Hope To Rise From The Ashes

England and Australia will renew the oldest rivalry in cricket on Wednesday in Cardiff, with the tourists defending the urn they regained in devastating style 18 months ago.

To describe Australia's 5-0 whitewash in the last series as traumatic for England barely does it justice.

The defeat prompted the disintegration of the team and ultimately a complete overhaul of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) senior executives, much of it exacerbated by the ham-fisted, self-defeating scapegoating of Kevin Pietersen.

Since the teams last met, three of the most senior players – Matt Prior, Jonathan Trott and Graeme Swann – have retired, and a fourth, Pietersen, will not be considered for selection this summer.

England also have a new coach, Australian Trevor Bayliss, a new director of cricket in Andrew Strauss, and the ECB has a new chief executive and a new chairman too.

The only senior figure still in their job in fact is the captain, Alastair Cook.

And as has been the case ever since, he will take the field under acute pressure over his position and with a team full of promise, but low on experience and proven match-winning pedigree.

Australia by contrast arrive in a state of tranquil, menacing equilibrium.

Fast-bowler Mitchell Johnson, the destroyer-in-chief last time, is fit and bristling, he has fast-bowling support, and several of Michael Clarke's team have improved dramatically since last time.

It may be a long summer.

THE KEY BATTLES

:: Alastair Cook & Adam Lyth v Mitchell Johnson & Mitchell Starc

The captain's form and leadership will be under scrutiny but the answer to his problems is deceptively simple.

Score runs and both problems ease; England will be better placed to challenge Australia.

Johnson and Starc, a left-arm bowler who did not show his best form here four years ago, are formidable and occasionally frightening with the ball.

For Test ingénue Lyth, this is a huge challenge.

:: James Anderson v David Warner

Warner is the Australian English crowds love to hate.

In 2011 he started the tour by taking a swing at Joe Root in a Birmingham bar, but he's more likely to inflict violence on England's bowlers this time.

If Anderson, now England's leading wicket-taker, and Stuart Broad can stop him, Australia can be denied momentum.

:: Ben Stokes v Steve Smith

Steve Smith is the most improved player in world cricket, growing from an erratic leg-spinner who could bat a bit, into the number-one rated batsman in the world.

In Stokes England have the next great hope, a player of huge all-round potential whose aggressive approach looks made for the Ashes.

A good summer for either might be the difference.

:: Moeen Ali v Michael Clarke

Australia's captain is one of the best players of spin bowling in the world.

Ali is a man England hope - but aren't yet certain - can become a match-winning off-spinner.

He proved he can turn games against India last summer.

Doing it against Australians who have had a year to study the tapes will be a different matter.