Ashes live - England v Australia

First Ashes Test, Cardiff:
England v Australia (1100 BST start)

LIVE TEXT COMMENTARY (all times BST)

By Jonathan Stevenson

e-mail tms@bbc.co.uk (with 'For Stevo' in the subject), text 81111 (with "CRICKET" as the first word) or use 606. (Not all contributions can be used)

0848: "Forget the waiting - it's over." Not my words, but the words of a certain Tom Fordyce, who will be all over this first Ashes Test in Cardiff for us today. Here's his first top chat: "The sun is shining bright, there are a few clouds around but nothing to worry the spectators. Even at 7.30 the ground was a hive of activity with the groundstaff making final preparations. As for The Pitch of Great Mystery - who knows?"

0843: Ashes flashback, 1956: England off-spinner Jim Laker produces an astounding performance to take 10 wickets in an innings - the first time that had been done in Test cricket - and take 19-90 in the fourth Test at Old Trafford as England retained the Ashes.

Simon Jones on BBC Radio 5 Live: "It's amazing, I'm really excited about today and it's a brilliant thing for Cardiff, I hope it goes to plan and it all goes smoothly. It's frustrating not being involved, but I can't wait for it to start."

BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew: "The honest appraisal is that Australia are the favourites - they are a young side, but they are a very good side, you don't go to South Africa and win without being able to learn very quickly. England haven't been able to win many Test matches in the last 12 months, so they will need to take every opportunity they get."

From David, Barnstaple, via email: "Alright Stevo, thought I would throw my hat in and say I have Ashes fever, or at least some kind of fever, which is confining me to bed as of yesterday. Never have I been so unwell and yet excited at the same time! Come on England!"

0827: We still don't know what the two teams are going to be, though encouragingly it's probably slightly easier to guess England's with a straight choice between Monty Panesar and Graham Onions for the final spot. The Aussies need someone to step in for the injured Brett Lee - but will it be the tweak of Nathan Hauritz, the swing of Ben Hilfenhaus or the all-round talents of Andrew McDonald?
Australia delay naming Test team

From Tom the tired bear, via text on 81111: "I'm at work all day, but my cricket-hating boss has decided to take her summer holiday this week. Thank the Lord for auto refresh! COME ON ENGLAND! Series prediction - 3-0 England."

0817: Ashes flashback, 1948: Don Bradman, the greatest batsman who ever lived, is given a phenomenal reception by the crowd at The Oval as he walks to the wicket for his last Test innings. He needed only four runs to finish with a Test average of 100, but was bowled for a second-ball duck to end with an average of 99.94.

0813: Everyone has a favourite Ashes memory, and I'm no different. I was lucky enough to be present at the first day of the Edgbaston Test in 2005, a remarkable time to be an England fan as the momentum of the series shifted over the course of the day.
Ashes 2005, report: Second Test, day one

0809: Fabulous weather-based news comes from BBC Radio 5 Live's Mark Pougatch in Cardiff: "The sun is rising, it's a glorious morning on a massive day for Welsh cricket." Get in.

0807: In roughly 143 minutes, Mr Ben Dirs will be taking over from me in the live text chair. Until that time, I hope you can hit me with all the early-morning banter I could dream of - on email, at tms@bbc.co.uk, and on text too, to 81111. At 0900 BST, 606 will open too, completing a stunning hat-trick.

0804: Sport doesn't get a whole lot bigger than this. A mere 1,396 days have passed since England won the Ashes at The Oval in 2005 and since then, we have been counting down to this moment (although apparently there was a series in 2006-07, too). It's England versus Australia, a rivalry to equal any other on earth.
Gallery: Why the Ashes are such a big deal

0800: Let me guess - you couldn't sleep? You've just been pacing around your bedroom all night, counting down the minutes to the biggest sporting event of the summer? Yep, me too. Only 180 to go now, we're almost there. Happy Ashes, everyone.
England & Australia set for Ashes

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