Crunched through the covers for four!!!

Zak Crawley takes guard for the first ball.

It's probably not a good time to mention what happened from the first ball of the last Ashes series, is it?

Here's Pat Cummins...

It's an absolutely stunning day in Birmingham. A stunning day for batting, too.

Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett are ready.

This could go one way or the other, couldn't it? I just have no idea which.

Matthew Henry
BBC Sport at Edgbaston

One shout has just started a wave of cries of “come on England” along the Hollies. This atmosphere is going to be special.

Edgbaston has just paid tribute to the victims of the Nottingham attacks with a moment's silence.

Players and management are wearing black armbands.

The same tributes will be paid on day one of the women's Ashes Test at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on 22 June.

Three people died after a series of attacks in Nottingham early on Tuesday morning.

Huge England and Australia flags are being draped over the outfield.

Ben Stokes looks remarkably calm as he prepares to lead his side out for the anthems. I wish I was that chilled.

A quick reminder for those of you joining us for the first ball that England won the toss and are batting first, and Australia have left out Mitchell Starc in favour of Josh Hazlewood.

It's nearly time...

Michael Vaughan
Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

Image source, Getty Images

On this kind of surface England have a great chance to send a message that Bazball will work against this kind of bowling attack.

Thanks, Sam.

Is anyone else really nervous all of a sudden?

Right then, we'll get a very early look at Bazball and whether it can hold up under the intensity of an Ashes series!

The excitement/ nerves are all getting too much for me so I'll hand you over to the self-titled Glenn McGrath of the BBC Sport cricket team, Ffion Wynne, for the remainder of the build-up and a tantalising opening session...

Jim Maxwell
BBC Test Match Special

There's some anticipation from Australia fans that their high-quality bowling attack will stifle England and make it difficult for them to play the audacious brand of cricket that has been so spectacular to watch over the last 18 months.

But there will be times when England get away on what looks a good pitch. That will put a lot of pressure on the Australia bowlers. And that's why this has the potential to be one of the most exciting Ashes series we have ever watched.

Sporting Badger: Most important toss of the summer...a good start! Bazball incoming!!!

Sir Alastair Cook
Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

Image source, Getty Images

With these conditions it is an easy decision to bat first.

Ben Stokes has got a great poker face today but he can't not be feeling the nerves.

It is a horrible feeling, you are so desperate to get started. Once you are out there then you are fine.

If he is not feeling the nerves then he is super human - though we all think that anyway.

Australia captain Pat Cummins on Sky Sports: "We would've batted first too.

"Mitchell Starc is out and we've brought Josh Hazlewood in. We need to rotate our bowlers, it was a really tough call on Mitch, but it's a nice problem to have with someone like to Josh to come in.

"It [World Test Championship] was great preparation, especially after winning, and we went into it pretty fresh so we feel really well adjusted and got used to the conditions."

Image source, Getty Images

England captain Ben Stokes: "It looks a really good wicket. It's a good toss to win but we've got to get some runs on the board now and make the most of it.

"It's a great feeling to be here with all the hype that's been around the series, so it's a very special moment for me and the rest of the team.

"It's been tough at times to block out the hype that is always around an Ashes series but we've stayed level, kept the external noise out and just got to concentrate on what we do.

"It's great to have Mo [Ali] back, but it's so unfortunate to lose Jack [Leach], he has been a huge part of our dressing room. But I've seen Mo put in unbelievable performances in an England shirt over the years and that's why I went to him because I know what he can offer us with bat and ball.

"It's always a big challenge, Australia obviously just won the World Test Championship so this is hopefully the start of a fantastic six weeks."

England: Crawley, Duckett, Pope, Root, Brook, Stokes (c), Bairstow (wk), Moeen, Broad, Robinson, Anderson.

Australia: Warner, Khawaja, Labuschagne, Smith, Head, Green, Carey (wk), Cummins (c), Lyon, Boland, Hazlewood.

Matthew Henry
BBC Sport at Edgbaston

Loud cheers here as England win the toss…

Big news for Australia at the toss is that Josh Hazlewood plays with Mitchell Starc missing out.

All good options but the tourists have opted to go without their fast left-armer...

Pat Cummins calls incorrectly and Ben Stokes chooses to bat.

"It looks a good wicket," says Stokes. England will have first use of it.

Here we go, folks. Pat Cummins and Ben Stokes are now milling on the outfield, wearing their team blazers over their whites.

The toss is just a few moments away. It looks a decent pitch. Bat first? Bowl first?

Andy Zaltzman
Test Match Special cricket statistician

The answer is B. 194-6. Congratulations to everyone who got it!

No one got it before the multiple choice answers this time. Come back tomorrow for the next question!