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England to start 2013 Ashes defence at Trent Bridge with Old Trafford another returning venue

The England and Wales Cricket Board have released the itinerary for next year's international fixtures, with Trent Bridge playing host to the first Ashes Test. It is another packed schedule for England, with series against New Zealand in all three formats between May 16 and June 27 before the world's top-eight teams contest the Champions Trophy. The Oval, Cardiff and Edgbaston are the home grounds for that tournament but, as ever, the focus will be on the arrival of Australia. Scroll down for video Ashes heroes: England will begin the defence of the Ashes at Trent Bridge They will play two four-day warm-ups, against Somerset and Worcestershire, before the opening Test in Nottingham on July 10. The second Test, at Lord's, follows immediately on July 18 before Australia face Sussex in another tour match at Hove. The next two Tests are also back to back, with Old Trafford the venue for the third match, as it was in the memorable 2005 series, and Durham's first taste of

A 'dog's breakfast' and 'motley mob' - Australian media

The Australian media has torn into the 16-man squad to tour England in this summer's Ashes series, calling it a 'dog's breakfast' and questioning whether the 'motley mob' is the worst to ever leave their shores. The selections of 35-year-old batsman Chris Rogers, who has just one Test cap to his name, and the appointment of wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, also 35, as vice-captain, drew particular criticism, with one paper likening them to 'Dad's Army'. A perfect storm of perceived weaknesses - a lack of specialist spinners and top quality batsmen, and a fear of conflict within the squad - led Aussie pundits to fear a 5-0 whitewash. Scroll down for video Brave face: Captain Michael Clarke (centre), vice-captain Brad Haddin (left) and fast bowler Peter Siddle following the announcement of Australia's 16-man squad for the Ashes tour of England this summer 'It's a dog's breakfast of a squad with some hardened old heads infused in a desperat

Good news for England as Broad and Bresnan pick up four wickets apiece

England's quicks enjoyed a fruitful return to LV= County Championship action on the day Australia named their squad for this summer's Ashes. Stuart Broad and Tim Bresnan were quickly back into the groove as they grabbed four wickets apiece, although Jimmy Anderson had to wait until the final hour of the day before picking up his double. England's Test internationals had been allowed a break following the tour of New Zealand while Bresnan was back in championship ranks for the first time since he underwent elbow surgery. In the wickets: Broad (right) picked up four for Nottinghamshire on Wednesday The Yorkshire right-armer took a wicket with his first ball on his way to figures of four for 41 as Durham were dismissed for 237 at Chester-le-Street. Only Phil Mustard's 70 helped the hosts to a batting bonus point before another England candidate, Graham Onions, made early inroads into Yorkshire's batting before stumps. Onions removed opener Adam Lyth for a duck and

My guide to the party of unknowns Australia are sending over for the Ashes

Australia named their 16-man squad for this summer's Ashes series on Wednesday. Here, former England captain and Sportsmail columnist Nasser Hussain runs the rule over Michael Clarke's inexperienced Baggy Green side... Scroll down for video In good spirits: Australian captain Michael Clarke, center, laughs along with newly appointed vice captain Brad Haddin, left, and fast bowler Peter Siddle AUSTRALIA SQUAD FOR THE ASHES (JUNE 26 - AUGUST 25): MICHAEL CLARKE (captain) AGE: 32 TESTS: 92 ASHES TESTS IN ENGLAND: 10 VERDICT: Fantastic player with a great record as a batsman since taking over the captaincy but can get opened up by moving ball in England. Thinks outside the box as captain. BRAD HADDIN (vice-captain) AGE: 35 TESTS: 44 IN ENGLAND: 4 VERDICT: Good selection. Feisty player who has had a lot of rucks with England players. Not the greatest keeper but a good counter-attacking batsman with a decent record against England. JACKSON BIRD AGE: 26 TESTS: 2

Is that all you've got? As Aussies name worst Ashes squad in recent memory

It might be dangerous to start sounding like Glenn McGrath but the temptation when casting a first glance at Australia’s Ashes squad is overwhelming. The weather rather than the opposition could be the biggest threat to England winning 5-0 this summer. Certainly they will never have a better chance of a thumping Ashes victory. How Australia would have loved on Wednesday to be able to name McGrath (whose supreme confidence in his side was seldom misplaced) in a 16-man party for the first of back-to-back series to contest cricket’s biggest prize. They would also have loved to be able to turn to people of the quality of Shane Warne, Ricky Ponting, Matthew Hayden, Adam Gilchrist and Mike Hussey. Scroll down for video On the front line: Michael Clarke walks ahead of former captains Mark Taylor (left) and Steve Waugh as the Australians announced their squad for the Ashes series in England this summer On the same page: (from left) Waugh, new Aussie vice captain Brad Haddin, Clarke and

Red-hot Horschel storms to victory in Zurich Classic of New Orleans

Billy Horschel charged to a maiden PGA Tour victory as an eight-under-par 64 gave him a one-stroke win over DA Points at a stormy Zurich Classic of New Orleans. The 26-year-old from Florida was simply brilliant on the final day and even a weather delay on the last hole did not put him off. Horschel had played his first shot on the par-five 18th when the weather horn sounded for a threat of storms, with he and his peers heading back to the clubhouse for the second time in the day. Ups and downs: Billy Horschel reacts badly (left) after missing a birdie putt... but (right) celebrates wildly Leaderboard Click here for the final standings Upon returning, Horschel finished with a huge birdie putt - the ninth of his round against one bogey - to take him from 19 to 20 under par for the tournament. And it proved crucial, too, as playing partner Points also birdied to finish 19 under par. 'I hadn't made a long one all week,' Horschel said on Sky Sports 2. 'I said, '

Haven't you already got one of those, Maria?

Maria Sharapova successfully defended her WTA Porsche Grand Prix title after beating Li Na 6-4, 6-3 in the final in Stuttgart on Sunday. The top-seeded Russian swept to her second title of the year after winning in Indian Wells, and became the first player to retain the Stuttgart title since Lindsey Davenport in 2005. And, for her troubles, Sharapova was awarded a blue convertible Carrera, just days after she became a brand ambassador for the car manufacturer. 'I thought it'd be the toughest match of the tournament, but I played my best tennis today,' Sharapova said. 'I was able to step it up.' Need a ride? Maria Sharapova poses with her blue Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet after her win in Stuttgart Back-to-back: The Russian successfully defended her title in Germany after beating Li Na in Sunday's final Winning moment: Sharapova celebrates her victory, her 16th in a row on clay Sharapova used the Stuttgart tournament as her first clay-court event