The 2019 Ashes begins at Edgbaston on Thursday, with England looking to regain the urn after a 4-0 defeat Down Under last time out.

Here, PA looks at the key issues heading into the opener.

What shadow will the World Cup cast?

After four-successive series wins on English soil (1989, 1993, 1997 and 2001), Australia have entered a long period of away day blues. England have won the last four editions in front of their own fans, triumphing in 10 Tests while losing just four in that time. Tim Paine's side will be eager to end a streak that started in the watershed 2005 campaign as well as robbing England of the bragging rights. Andrew Strauss' class of 2010-11 are currently the only team to win the Ashes away from home in the past nine series.

Absent friends

England's leading wicket-taker at the World Cup was Jofra Archer with 20 and when Eoin Morgan needed to cope with the strain of a super over, it was the 24-year-old he turned to. He will have to wait for his Test debut, though, with lingering concerns over a side strain and competition for seam bowling spots incredibly high? An attack featuring the country's record wicket-taker (Anderson) and two men who have just bowled out Ireland for 38 between them (Broad and Chris Woakes) is hardly lacking but Archer's absence still looms large. Australia, meanwhile, appear set to leave Mitchell Starc – who topped the World Cup bowling charts with 27 – on the sidelines. As with Archer, those who take up the workload in his absence will have to turn in fine performances to prevent envious glances in the paceman's direction.