The Ashes returns to the airwaves this week with the fifth Test kicking off at The Oval despite England's hopes of lifting the urn being extinguished by the great British summer.

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Hosts England entered the fourth Test 2-1 down but dominated Australia in the opening three days at Old Trafford before rain wiped out the vast majority of Day 4 and Day 5.

Australia have officially retained the urn but England can still prevent a series defeat with a big display at The Oval in front of another inevitably boisterous, partisan home crowd.

The theatre of cricket and the medium of radio are perfect bedfellows, locked in an inseparable hundred-year embrace since the first ball-by-ball accounts were tentatively floated out across the nation in the 1920s.

The biggest names in the game have offered their insights - painting pictures of the scenes unfurling before them with Test Match Special burrowing deep into the hearts of sports fans across the nation.

Fans across the nation will be delighted to be able to hear the action described live and uninterrupted across the weeks, and we've got all the details you need to know about radio coverage below.

RadioTimes.com brings you a comprehensive round-up of how to listen to The Ashes on radio, including the first Test schedule.

More from The Ashes: Ashes TV coverage | Ashes schedule | Ashes squads | Ashes predictions | Ashes highlights | Sky Sports Ashes commentators | Test Match Special Ashes commentators

Listen to The Ashes on the radio

BBC Test Match Special has the rights to broadcast ball-by-ball commentary of The Ashes, with the team set to bring full coverage throughout every day of action.

In 2023, as in 1930 when the first Ashes series was broadcast on British radio, the BBC are back with bumper coverage of matches throughout the summer.

Jonathan Agnew will spearhead the list of Test Match Special presenters and commentators.

Broadcasts will be aired on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and via their online player, with build-up of each match starting prior to the time listed above.

BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra is available on digital radio and online. It is not broadcast on AM/FM radio.

Test Match Special has been broadcast via Radio 4 long-wave radio in the past, but this is the final Ashes series to be aired on the platform.

The service is being gradually shut down before a complete switch off, meaning the only way to listen to TMS will be via a digital radio after this summer.

The Ashes schedule 2023

1st Test: England v Australia

Date: Friday 16th – Tuesday 20th June

Venue: Edgbaston

Time: 11am

2nd Test: England v Australia

Date: Wednesday 28th June – Sunday 2nd July

Venue: Lord's

Time: 11am

3rd Test: England v Australia

Date: Thursday 6th – Monday 10th July

Venue: Headingley

Time: 11am

4th Test: England v Australia

Date: Wednesday 19th – Sunday 23rd July

Venue: Old Trafford

Time: 11am

5th Test: England v Australia

Date: Thursday 27th – Monday 31st July

Venue: The Oval

Time: 11am

Read more: Best cricket players in the world 2023 | Best cricket players of all time | Highest wicket takers in Ashes history | Highest run scorers in Ashes history

If you’re looking for something else to watch, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide or visit our Sport hub for all the latest news.

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