Birmingham: England return to 'Fortress Edgbaston' for the first Test against Australia today looking to round off an already memorable season by completing a World Cup and Ashes double. If the World Cup remains the pinnacle of the 50-over game, for England and Australia there's nothing quite like a renewal of Test cricket's oldest rivalry. But now there's arguably more at stake for both sides than the series result.

Australia have not won at Edgbaston in any format since 2001, a run that includes their recent World Cup semi-final loss to England, when Roy made a sparkling 85. England, by contrast, have won their last 11 internationals at the raucous Birmingham ground. For England, a home season billed as the most important in a generation started brilliantly with their impressive run to a first men's World Cup title. International cricket in Britain emerged from behind its satellite television paywall for the first time since the celebrated 2005 Ashes so that millions could watch England's nerve-shredding Super Over win against New Zealand at Lord's earlier this month.