MATCHSTICKS at the ready - the Ashes starts tonight and, as it's being held in Australia, it's going to mean some late nights for English cricket fans.

So when's it happening?

There are five tests planned.

Ist Test - Brisbane - starts at midnight tonight (Thursday). Lunch will be at 2am, with tea at 4.40am and close of play will be 7am.

2nd Test - Adelaide - will start at 4am on Saturday, December 2.

3rd Test - Perth - starts at 2.30am on Tuesday, December 14.

4th Test - Melbourne - starts at 11.30pm on Christmas day (ouch!)

5th Test - Sydney - starts at 11.30pm on Wednesday, January 3

What can we expect from tonight?

The first test kicks off at the Gabba - known as the Gabbatoir - and it's a venue where England does not have a winning history.

Seven Ashes tours have come and gone since England's last Test win in Brisbane, Mike Gatting's team prevailing by seven wickets after a century from man-of-the-match Ian Botham.

That was in November 1986 and Australia have been unbeaten against any Test side at the venue since West Indies emerged victorious in 1988.

However, Moeen Ali believes England can end Australia's long unbeaten run at the Gabba by defeating their hosts there for the first time in three decades.

He said: "I think there's genuine confidence we can win here."

"It's going to be tough for us. (But) records are there to be broken, and we hope we can do that."

England salvaged a morale-boosting draw in the first Test in Brisbane seven years ago, the springboard for a famous series victory under Andrew Strauss.

But they were overwhelmed on their last visit, largely by Mitchell Johnson - an occasion which Moeen witnessed at first hand, as a spectator on a day off from his tour duties with England Lions.

"Last time we didn't play so well as a team, and there was one guy who was outstanding with the ball," he said.

"I was here with the Lions last time, watching that game. It was amazing to see."

Let's hope Moeen's confidence for this Test isn't misplaced.

Any controversy?

If England are to shock their hosts in Brisbane they will have to do so without Ben Stokes, still at home waiting to hear if he will be charged after a late-night fracas in Bristol eight weeks ago.

Stokes is fit again, after breaking his hand, and has been demonstrating his well-being with a series of social-media posts of his training in the Durham nets.

However, Moeen, admits England are not expecting him to join them any time soon, and insists too the Stokes saga will not put them off their game against Australia.

He said: "I saw him bowling. I told him that's getting hit for six any day!

"We don't know what's going on, but it's not a distraction.

"There's every chance he won't be here at all. If he comes it would be a massive bonus for all of us."

Will there be sledging?

Sledging - the art of winding up your opponent to put them off their game - has started already with taunts about England being frightened by the Aussie side, particularly from Australian Nathan Lyons.

Alastair Cook said he saw the funny side of the pre-Ashes rant.

Cook bumped into Lyon on his way to England's practice session at the Gabba, two days before the first Test, and reports the Australia off-spinner was sweetness and light as they asked about each other's families.

Around 24 hours earlier, however, Lyon was delivering a remarkable press conference which took the Ashes hype to a new level once it hit the news stands.

He recalled England being "broken" by Mitchell Johnson's pace on their last trip down under, and claimed Matt Prior was so "scared" he wanted to head home after just two Tests - a recollection strenuously denied by the wicketkeeper-batsman.

For good measure, Lyon insisted England will find it even tougher this time against Australia's new seam attack of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood in a series which he hopes will again end some careers for the tourists.

However, recalling his chance meeting with Lyon before speaking to the press himself, the England opener said: "It's really strange. I had a really nice 10-minute chat with Nathan.

"He was the first person I saw when I got to the ground ... asking how my kids were, how his kids were.

"It's funny. It makes me chuckle."

So how do I watch it?

This series, BT Sport has exclusive rights to the whole tour. If you are a subscriber, you can watch live online or - if that's too late for you - the company is offering catch-up with daily highlights or replays.