First Ashes test factbox

(Reuters) - Following is a factbox on the first test match between Australia and England, which starts tomorrow:

WHERE?

The Gabba, named for the Woolloongabba suburb that surrounds it, has a been a fortress for Australia in the 28 tests since the West Indies were the last touring team to win there in 1988. England last won at the ground in 1986 - only their second test victory in Brisbane since World War Two - before the modern concrete bowl replaced the wooden stands and open grass banks. Steve Harmison’s first-ball delivery to second slip famously set the tone for Australia’s 200607 whitewash and Mitchell Johnson’s devastating day two spell 2013-14 triggered another. A lively, greentop wicket is expected at first, offering pace and bounce for the seamers, with spin coming into play as an attacking option if it stays dry and the strip deteriorates later in the match.

WHEN?

(World ranking: fifth) Squad - David Warner, Cameron Bancroft, Steve Smith (captain), Jackson Bird, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine, Chadd Sayers, Mitchell Starc Coach: Darren Lehmann

(World ranking: third) Squad - Joe Root (captain), Moeen Ali, Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Gary Ballance, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Mason Crane, Tom Curran, Ben Foakes, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Chris Woakes Coach: Trevor Bayliss WHAT THE BOOKMAKERS SAY*

Australia win: 4-5 England win: 5-2 Draw: 7-2

Umpires: Aleem Dar (Pakistan), Marais Erasmus (South Africa) TV umpire: Chris Gaffaney (New Zealand) Match referee: Richie Richardson (West Indies)

HISTORY Matches: 20 Australia wins: 11 England wins: 4 1933 England 6 wickets 1936 England 322 runs 1946 Australia inns & 332 runs 1950 Australia 70 runs 1954 Australia inns & 154 runs 1958 Australia 8 wickets 1962 Match drawn 1965 Match drawn 1970 Match drawn 1974 Australia 166 runs 1978 England 7 wickets 1982 Australia 7 wickets 1986 England 7 wickets 1990 Australia 10 wickets 1994 Australia 184 runs 1998 Match drawn 2002 Australia 384 runs 2006 Australia 277 runs 2010 Match drawn 2013 Australia 381 runs

CURRENT TOUR Remaining tests:

Dec. 2-6 (0330) Adelaide Oval (DayNight) Ground Dec. 14-18 (0230) WACA, Perth Dec. 26-30 (2330) Melbourne Cricket Jan. 4-8 (2330) Sydney Cricket Ground * Odds courtesy of www.skybet.com