England cricket supremo Rob Key says captain Ben Stokes will be ready for the heat of the Ashes battle in Australia despite a lack of action following a shoulder injury.

England captain Ben Stokes is "on track" for the Ashes despite a recent shoulder injury, selectors said Tuesday as they handed part-time spinner Will Jacks a surprise place in the squad for the Test series in Australia.

England coach Brendon McCullum has left open the possibility of Harry Brook replacing Ollie Pope as vice-captain during the upcoming Ashes tour of Australia.

England batter Jacob Bethell is unsure if his first hundred in international cricket in Sunday's one-dayer against South Africa has opened the door to the Ashes squad but the 21-year-old is confident he would not let anyone down if given the opportunity.

Pat Cummins says he will do whatever it takes to play the Ashes against England starting in November, with the Australian skipper prepared to "take a few risks" with a back injury that has sidelined him.

England have won just one Ashes series in Australia since 1987 and have failed to taste success in a single Test match in their three most recent trips Down Under.

After being named in the 14-member Australia 'A' squad to play a pair of four-day games against India 'A', Australia opener Sam Konstas is looking forward to the Sheffield Shield matches in October to make a case for his selection in The Ashes squad.

England batter Joe Root said his experience of 158 Tests makes him better equipped than ever to end a victory drought in Australia, as he ramps up preparations for the upcoming Ashes series.

Joe Root has brushed aside David Warner's jibe that he will need to "take the surfboard off his front leg" if England are to triumph in Australia in the upcoming Ashes series.

Australia fast bowler Scott Boland said on Wednesday that the hosts will be unfazed by any England aggression when the Ashes rivals clash later this year.

Dropped Australian Test star Marnus Labuschagne says he is determined to bounce back and prove the doubters wrong, putting his hand up to open in the Ashes series against England.

England paceman Chris Woakes is considering rehabilitation rather than surgery on his dislocated shoulder in a last-ditch bid to make himself available for the upcoming Ashes tour of Australia.

Glenn McGrath has backed Australia to secure a 5-0 clean sweep in the 2025-26 Ashes, predicting another dominant display on home soil when the series begins in November.  

Struggling Test opener Sam Konstas was picked Thursday for Australia A's red-ball tour of India next month, with chief selector George Bailey saying the experience will be invaluable.

With fewer shows during the monsoon season in Bangladesh, many artistes are turning to international concerts. This month, several Bangladeshi musicians have departed for performances across five European countries, while singer Mila and band Ashes are set to perform in Canada.

While many Bangladeshi bands regularly perform both at home and abroad, Ashes is set to make their debut concert tour in Canada. Vocalist Zunayed Evan confirmed the band’s upcoming trip via a post on social media.

Tickets for the Ashes series were snapped up at a record rate when they went on sale on Tuesday with the allocations for the first three days of the Brisbane and Sydney Tests as well as day one of the Melbourne Test all exhausted.

Bangladeshi rock band Ashes is set to release their new album, "Manusher Jonno," with all proceeds going to humanitarian aid. The band will forgo fees and royalties, donating the entire amount to hospital funds for cancer, kidney disease, paralysis, and eye treatment patients. The 10-song album is slated for release later this year.

Winter tends to mark the arrival of the concert season, with November and December bringing a host of live music events both in Dhaka and beyond. This year is no different, as a concert titled “The Capital” is set to light up the stage on November 15, showcasing performances by 10 bands from around the country.

Yesterday, United Communication organised an incredible event, the first season of "Dhaka Rock Carnival: Shadhin Bangla Betar", which delivered a memorable musical experience to the city.