The return of the Investec Ashes to English soil is beginning to draw closer, and already there are eyes on each side’s preparations ahead of the historic contest.
Australian seamer Peter Siddle spent much of the 2014 summer with Nottinghamshire, his season-long commitment to the county cut short to return for a training camp in preparation for these series with his country.
Siddle was dropped after showing a lack of pace, but after a tweak to his training regime insisted he was back to his best ahead of Australia’s series against Pakistan.
"I'd trained too hard and that combined with the amount of cricket we were playing and the intensity we play at, it probably did affect me," he said.
"I had to change the training routine a little bit and I'm seeing the benefits at the moment. Hopefully they continue."
"I am still feeling as fit as I ever have. I think that stint in England where I was still playing has given me a good base and I have a lot of kilometres in the legs to keep ticking over.
"I stopped running when I got home (from England) but I played 11 first class games in 90-odd days over there so the fitness side of things is no issue.
"I have been bowling loads in the last few months so that does not change a thing."
Siddle returned to bowl a couple of excellent spells against Pakistan A in his side’s warm up match ahead of the Test series, and saw the return of his zip and customary accuracy.
His inspiration? Mitchell Johnson, England’s tormentor in Australia in the previous meeting between the two sides.
"He bowled for five years straight before he hurt his foot and he was down to bowling high 130s or low 140s at that stage, for a bloke who bowls mid-150kph.
"For him to have that break and freshen up mentally and physically and come back and bowling the best he has just shows, a bit of rest here and there, work on a few things, change a few things and get that rhythm back … I am feeling good and that’s what it is all about."
The Investec Ashes returns to Trent Bridge from Thursday 6 – Monday 10 August. For the chance to secure early access to tickets register your interest here by midnight on Monday 20 October.