Ashes 2021/22 grounds: where Australia and England will play the five Tests of iconic cricket series

The Ashes were first played in 1882 and ever since, it has been the biggest prize for both England and Australia to beat the other in their test series.

The Ashes take place usually every two years in alternate countries with the summer tests taking place in England and the winter series being hosted by Australia.

Due to Coronavirus restrictions in place in Western Australia, the location of the fifth test has yet to be confirmed. Perth was due to host the fifth and final test match, but unfortunately it is still under strict Covid-19 lockdown precautions and will be unable to welcome the two sides.

Here is all you need to know about where the other four tests are set to be played

Brisbane Cricket Ground

The Brisbane Cricket Ground is more commonly known as the Gabba and will host the first test match which begins on Wednesday 8 December at midnight GMT.

It has acquired the name the Gabba due to its location in the Brisbane suburb of Woolloongabba.

It is set to be the centrepiece of the Summer 2032 Olympics and will be upgraded for the games.

It was first built in 1895 and has a capacity of 36,000 for international cricket matches. The first time a Test match was played at the ground was in 1931 between Australia and South Africa.

England do not have the best of records at this particular ground and out of the 20 matches that have been played between the two sides at the Gabba, England have only won four and only two of those came after the end of the Second World War.

The highest score England have put on at the Gabba was during the 2010/11 series when Alastair Cook made an unbeaten 235, Andrew Strauss scored 110 and Jonathon Trott made 135 not out to total 517/1.

Adelaide Oval

The Adelaide Oval - located in North Adelaide, South Australia - will host the second test match on 16 December.

The first international test match that took place at the ground was an Ashes test match between 12-16 December 1884.

James Anderson is the second highest non-Australian wicket taker at the ground with 16 wickets in eight innings and an average of 29.50.

England’s cricket team have won nine out of the 32 matches to have been played at the Adelaide Oval and drawn five others. The greatest victory came in 1892 when England defeated their opposition by an innings and 230 runs. Their most recent win at the ground was in 2010 when England beat the Aussies by an innings and 71 runs.

In 2017, during the last Ashes series in Australia, Australia beat England by 120 runs.

The Adelaide Oval will host the first day/night test of the 2021/22 Ashes series and with the ball expected to move more, England are hopeful James Anderson will return to the squad.

Melbourne Cricket Ground

The MCG was built in 1858 and is located in East Melbourne, Victoria. It was the host to England and Australia’s first ever recorded test match. Australia won the match but England went on to draw the series.

The Australian cricketer Fred Spofforth took the first hat-trick in Test cricket at the MCG in 1879.

Melbourne have hosted England a total of 57 times and England have won 19 of those times and drawn eight times. One match was abandoned in 1971.

England’s greatest victory at the MCG came in 1912 when they beat the Aussies by an innings and 225 runs while their latest win at the ground came in 2010 when England beat their opposition by an innings and 157 runs.

Englishman Jack Hobbs, who played between 1908 and 1929, holds the record for the most career runs for a non-Australian with 1,178 runs in 18 innings.

Sydney Cricket Ground

The fourth test match will take place in Sydney. It is located in Moore Park, Sydney, New South Wales and was established 173 years ago in 1848.

The first test match to be held at the ground was the first ever Ashes Test series in February 1882. Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting holds the record for the most career runs at the ground with 1,480 runs to his name in 27 innings while Aussie Cricket legend Shane Warne holds the record for the most wickets (64) at the ground.

England and Australia have played each other at the ground 56 times and it is England’s most successful Australian ground.

The Aussies have won 27, England have won 22 and the pair have drawn seven times. The Australian’s biggest defeat over England came in England’s last tour down under when they were beaten by an innings and 123 runs.

England’s last win at the ground came in 1989 when they beat their opponents by an innings and 83 runs.

Where will the fifth test be played?

It is currently unknown where the fifth test will be played since the decision to move the game away from Perth.

Melbourne and Sydney may host two Ashes test matches while the Bellerive Oval in Hobart, Tasmania has also made a pledge to host the final Ashes test match. A decision is expected shortly.

England’s first test match begins tomorrow at midnight GMT and is available to watch on BT Sport.

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