FACTBOX-Cricket-Venues for the Ashes series

Factbox on the five venues for the Ashes series between Australia and England that gets underway on Dec. 8: BRISBANE (first test: Dec. 8-12)

Ground: The Gabba (capacity: 42,000) Last England win: 1986-87 series

An impenetrable fortress for many years, Australia suffered their first defeat at the Gabba since 1988 against India in January, a result that will give England some confidence given their dismal record at the venue. Usually full of pace and bounce, the pitch in the 2017-18 series was labelled as "soft" despite Australia romping home by 10 wickets.

ADELAIDE (second test: Dec. 16-20) Ground: Adelaide Oval (capacity: 53,500)

Last England win: 2010-11 series Victory in Adelaide a decade ago set the tone for England's last series win Down Under, and the visitors will be hoping for something similar at a ground that has produced big runs and offered little respite to bowlers.

But the introduction of day-night matches at the venue in recent years has somewhat altered that equation, with Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon both proving instrumental in Australia's thumping win in the 2017-18 series. MELBOURNE (third test: Dec. 26-30)

Ground: Melbourne Cricket Ground (capacity: 100,000) Last England win: 2010-11 series

The second-largest cricket stadium in the world and the first to host an Ashes test, the MCG will welcome back https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/australia-state-greenlights-full-crowds-australian-open-ashes-cricket-2021-11-18 a capacity crowd for the match starting on 'Boxing Day' following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in the state of Victoria. The two sides had to settle for a draw due to rain four years ago while Australia ran out comfortable winners in 2013. England, however, have fond memories of the MCG from 2010 when a century from Jonathan Trott inspired them to an innings win.

SYDNEY (fourth test: Jan. 5-9) Ground: Sydney Cricket Ground (capacity: 48,000)

Last England win: 2010-11 series One of Australia's most famous sporting venues, the SCG delivered an entertaining draw between the hosts and India in the last match here in January on a pitch that had plenty in it for both bat and ball, especially the spinners.

Usman Khawaja and Pat Cummins helped Australia to a resounding win last time around at the SCG, but England will take confidence from the fact that they are the only team to have beaten the home side here -- 2003 and 2011 -- since 1995. PERTH (fifth test: Jan. 14-18)

Ground: Perth Stadium (capacity: 60,000) Last England win: N/A

Hosting an Ashes test for the first time since taking over from the WACA (Western Australia Cricket Association) ground in 2018, the Perth Stadium wicket is not as quick as its famed predecessor but is expected to assist the seamers. Australia have won both games -- against India and New Zealand (day-night) -- they have played at the venue, a welcome edge given that acclimatisation to conditions will hold the key in the potential series decider.

(Compiled by Dhruv Munjal in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford )

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