Australia expect Ashes frenzy

James Sutherland has urged fans to act fast © Getty Images

Tickets for the Ashes go on sale in under 24 hours - and they are expected to be snapped up by Australian fans quicker than ever before.

Those who have registered with the Australian Cricket Family - which stands at more than 100,000 - can purchase tickets from June 1, but Cricket Australia predicts most first-day seats to be sold within a matter of hours.

James Sutherland, chief executive of Cricket Australia, said: “This is the moment Australians have been waiting for.

“Australian cricket fans in their thousands will be hitting the phones and going online to secure their tickets for the 2006-07 international season.”

“Competition will be fierce so get in early and make sure you are part of the biggest celebration of cricket in this country in living memory.”

Australia captain Ricky Ponting echoed Sutherland’s call, urging fans to provide vital support as his side attempt to regain the Ashes.

“The Australian team can’t wait for this Ashes series to start and having a sea of green and gold supporters in the stand will give us a massive boost,” he said.

“Make sure you get in early on June 1 and we'll see you during the biggest ever summer of Australian cricket.”

England play five Tests against Australia, the first starting in Brisbane on November 23.

The other Tests are in Adelaide (Dec 1-5), Perth (Dec 14-18), Melbourne (Dec 26-30) and Sydney (Jan 2-6).

A Twenty20 international and a Tri-Series featuring New Zealand follows the Tests.