England today fielded an Ash in an Ashes Test for the first time. Ashley Giles, known to his team-mates as "Ash", survived a late fitness test to claim his place. Ashley Mallett, the Australian offspinner of the 1960s and '70s, is the only other Ashley to play in an England-Australia Test. But he was more usually known by the nickname "Rowdy" – so-called because he was conspicuously well-behaved in an otherwise extrovert team.

Opener Ashley Woodcock played one Test for Australia against New Zealand in 1973-74, while WH "Gobo" Ashley, a left-arm medium-pacer, played one Test for South Africa against England in 1888-89 – and took 7 for 95.

It's a shame that John Emburey has (finally) retired, otherwise England could have fielded "Ash" and "Ern" in tandem ...

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