The sun has set on an extraordinary summer for English cricket. However, with the recently-proposed Hundred competition – the ECB’s answer to glitzy T20 tournaments like the Indian Premier League and Australia’s Big Bash – the move away from county cricket has the potential to alienate masses of loyal cricket fans.

It was 7am on August 15, 2005, and thousands of expectant Mancunians were bustling their way down Brian Statham Way, eager to get through the Old Trafford turnstiles and discover how this compelling Ashes Test match was going to conclude.

With the Cricket World Cup just around the corner, the nation waits with bated breath for England’s dynamic young side to commence their campaign against South Africa in the tournament’s opening game on May 30.

Despite averaging over 40 in his first four innings in an England shirt, two summers ago Lancashire’s Keaton Jennings was undone by South Africa’s pacemen. Now with recent good County Championship form under his belt, the 26-year-old hopes to press for a place in England’s Ashes squad for the battle against Australia.

The December/January edition is packed with features, interviews and articles across a range of topics.

Lancashire paceman James Anderson has been selected by fans in the all-time English cricket test side XI ahead of the country’s 1,000th match starting this week.

Words rarely fail England seamer Mark Wood but even he struggles to explain the ability that wicket-keeper batsman Jos Buttler possesses.

Fear the wounded animal is Jos Buttler’s warning as England prepare to renew old rivalries for Wednesday’s first Royal London One-Day International against Australia.

Glen Chapple’s Lancashire embark on their latest County Championship campaign on Friday with the best chance of wearing the summer’s crown since their last triumph in 2011.

In the second of two articles this week looking at key figures in this Ashes series, MM investigate the importance of each side’s leading bowler.

The Ashes are the pinnacle for English and Australian cricket.