STOKES’ STARS CAN URN RIGHT TO BE LEGENDS

IT'S a cricket series like no other. A sporting soap opera with more drama than Coronation Street, EastEnders and Emmerdale combined.

- BY JEREMY CROSS CHIEF SPORTS WRITER

Welcome to the Ashes.

From the iconic moment of the first ball in the opening Test to the last wicket in the final one, this spellbinding rivalry for the famous urn between England and Australia is one of sport's greatest stories.

The opening blows will be landed in the first Test in Perth tomorrow, when two proud nations will hold their breath.

And supporters watching back home will sacrifice sleep for hope that Ben Stokes and his men can write their names into cricketing folklore.

Just one England side has returned triumphant from Down Under with the Ashes since 1986-87.