And I also know for a fact Australia will not want Woody to play these last two games. It’s so weird; how does he bowl so fast? He’s not a big bloke, it’s just arm-speed, I guess. He’s so skiddy and always at you, so I’m very happy he’s on my team. And it’s not just with the ball, the way he took them on with the bat was gamechanging.” Moment of the series Lyon limps out to bat at Lord’s. There was the comedy of him having to leave the dressing room alongside the previous batter to have a chance of not being timed out, the shame of a brilliant player being ruled out of the series through injury, the sheer grit involved in forcing himself through the pain barrier and the knowledge with hindsight that Lyon’s departure contributed to Australia surrendering a 2-0 lead. Go deep beneath the waves: Hidden cameras give incredible perspectives on ingenious ocean creatures For a hat that has become more synonymous with high fashion, it will not be surprising to learn that baseball caps started life on the sports field. “It was originally known as the Brooklyn cap in the late 1800s/early 1900s, with its origins traced to the local baseball team,” says Dalrymple. But they have become just as apt for the front row of fashion shows or the boardroom as for the pitcher’s mound. Would it have been better to continue to flog the sun-sapped Australians for the remainder of the day and possibly even into the second morning? Something towards 450 sounds nice, doesn't it?

Joe Root knows a thing or two about Ashes plans after three series captaining England against Australia. Mike Atherton's team steamrollered Australia for 118 on the opening day of the 1997 series at Edgbaston, but then lost 3-2. The wise commentators, the former captains and legends, raise their brows as they pass in the corridors - a look that says "here we go" without needing to speak.

One day in and the most hyped Ashes series in a generation has started by more than living up to expectations. Where on earth do we go from here? Farewell to … Low-key retirements. Sure, Broad deserved a send-off but the mawkish buildup to his guard of honour felt longer than Oppenheimer. Even questioning Stokes is tantamount to heresy. It is decisions like these that have helped England to 11 wins in their previous 13 Tests. He got it right in Mount Maunganui and against Pakistan in Rawalpindi before that.

The tension squeezes tighter as the captains emerge, both in their pristine blazers - Ben Stokes in blue and Pat Cummins in green. There's also an array of training gear available from long sleeved zip tops to hoodies and joggers. Men's boxer shorts, baseball caps and t-shirts branded 'The Ashes 2023' are also on sale now. Anticipation is building ahead of the first test and the Castore range could be the ideal way to show your support for England this summer.

Usman Khawaja had an eventful series despite his uneventful batting. Photograph: Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images

What can we expect in 2025? Something completely different. England’s bowling group will be transformed by then and Australia could have lost half their first-choice side. There are big transitions coming and the next Ashes will test who has handled theirs the best. Emma John This time it falls on Zak Crawley, with Pat Cummins, a man who could have been shaped in an Australian factory to bowl fast, standing 30 yards away. Castore have released their Ashes clothing range on the eve of the first clash between England and Australia at Edgbaston. Sir Alastair Cook, who has swapped playing on these mornings for talking about them, carries out the famous urn flanked by flames.What does it mean? Were Australia frightened? The debate will continue throughout the day and again when Australia wakes. The new collection features a number of items to get fans in the mood or to show their support ahead of the first test. Castore have not only unveiled items for supporters such as t-shirts, hats and hoodies but also replicas of the men and women's shirts the players will wear throughout The Ashes.

England are enchanting, riding the wave of hope and expectation from fans that believe in them again.Stokes always says that results come at the bottom of his list of his priorities and, perhaps, at this very moment in the history of the game, the result of this particular Ashes series is not as important as the style with which it is achieved.