The start of the Ashes between England and Australia also sees the inaugural ICC World Test Championship get under way.
Here is everything you need to know about the tournament...
What is it?
The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) consists of nine countries competing in 72 Test matches across a two-year period, with the aim of finding out the best Test team in the world. The two teams who top a points table over that period will go for glory in a one-off World Test Championship Final at Lord's in June 2021. Then a new cycle will start, so new Test champions will be crowned every two years.
Who is competing?
The top nine ranked Test nations are all involved, so it is between Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and West Indies. England's fixtures will see them play Australia, West Indies and Pakistan at home and South Africa, Sri Lanka and India away.
What is the format?
Over a two-year period each team will play three series at home and three away consisting of two, three, four and some five Tests. There are 120 points available per series shared out equally over the number of games. For example, a three-Test series has 40 points available per match to the winner. If the match is drawn, points are awarded on a 3:1 points ratio - so in a Test where 60 points are available for a win, a draw will see both sides take 20.
Are all matches included?
Only matches between the nine teams competing are included in the tournament, so any games against Afghanistan, Ireland and Zimbabwe will still have Test status but the results will not be counted in the WTC.
