We are a week away from the 1stTest of this season Ashes series, the first to be played in the Covid pandemic years, and as a result there is a little more up in the air than usual. Both countries have just competed in the T20 World Cup, the one expected to win it fell in the semi-final, the one expected to be making up the numbers got up and won it. As a result the preparation of both sides has been compromised by both quarantine circumstances and the Brisbane November Rain, something not foretold in the Guns N Roses song of the same name. Apart from this, England’s lead up has been sublime, under the radar. The addition of a supposedly physically and mentally fit Ben Stokes has lifted their spirits and boosted their belief. Australia has lost a captain and wicket-keeper through yet another media scandal, their young star through yet another concussion, and several of their players under major form pressure. Taking all of this into account it begs the question – can England find a way to regain the Ashes on Australian soil and win down under as they did back in 2010/11? Is that such a far fetched possibility? Today I’ll be discussing the recent history of the two teams, and running the rule over the England squad in search for these answers, on todays edition of The Casual Mankadder, right here on Thoughts From the Metal Cavern.