The countdown to cricket\u2019s greatest rivalry is officially on.<\/p>\n
With less than 12 months until the 2027 Ashes gets underway in England, both Australia and England face defining questions that could shape the outcome of one of the sport\u2019s most anticipated series.<\/p>\n
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Australia retained the urn with a dominant 4-1 triumph on home soil last summer, but winning in England presents an entirely different challenge.<\/p>\n
While the tourists will once again start favourites, a revamped England side under Stephen Fleming will be desperate to reclaim the Ashes in home conditions.<\/p>\n
From Australia\u2019s next opening batsman and bowling attack to England\u2019s new era, selection headaches and the battles that could define the series, there is no shortage of storylines before the first ball is bowled on June 18.<\/p>\n
Fox Sports Australia looks at the biggest talking points heading into what promises to be a blockbuster 2027 Ashes series.<\/p>\n
HOW WILL JOE ROOT AND STEPHEN FLEMING FARE?<\/p>\n
Much has been made of the changes surrounding the English Test team since the last Ashes series.<\/p>\n
With Brendon McCullum stepping down as coach and Ben Stokes retiring from Test cricket, the coach-captain combination that led the transformative \u2018Bazball\u2019 era has departed, opening the door to a new chapter in English cricket.<\/p>\n
Taking over as head coach is Stephen Fleming, the former New Zealand captain who represented his country from 1994 to 2008 and was also a teammate of departing coach McCullum.<\/p>\n
Widely regarded as one of the best coaches in world cricket, Fleming will be looking to leave his mark in the lead-up to the Ashes, with Australian legends Allan Border and Adam Gilchrist both endorsing his appointment.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve got the utmost respect for him. He\u2019s a quality person, a fine thinker of the game and an outstanding tactician as a captain,\u201d Gilchrist told Foxsports.com.au.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust a really sensible, matter-of-fact guy. I don\u2019t think there\u2019s too much outrageous creativity, but through deep thought he does have a creative component.<\/p>\n
\u201cI guess the fact all his coaching has been around T20 (could be a challenge), but that doesn\u2019t mean it can\u2019t be transferred.\u201d<\/p>\n