England's tally of 22 Test wins at the Sydney Cricket Ground is their highest at any venue in Australia.
Always spurred on by huge support, England often save their best performances for the SCG and Alastair Cook's men will need to do the same if they want to avoid a series whitewash.
In total there have been 54 Ashes Tests played at this historic ground dating back to 1882 with the hosts tasting victory 25 times while seven matches have ended in draws.
England will have happy memories of the last time they played in Sydney, when Chris Tremlett bowled Michael Beer to seal an historic 3-1 series win.
There were tears when the two teams met seven years ago. Australia cruised to a 10-wicket victory, celebrated a 5-0 whitewash and said farewell to three legends in Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Justin Langer.
It was the first time since the 1920-21 Ashes that one side had won every Test.
England supporters will smile when recalling the 2003 encounter which Nasser Hussain's team won by 225 runs.
Trailing 4-0 and with only pride at stake, the tourists made 362 in the first innings with Mark Butcher’s 124 the highlight. Australia’s reply was all about Steve Waugh who, battling the critics and some poor form, reached a stunning century off the final ball of the second day. Waugh’s home ground rose as one to salute their hero.
Adam Gilchrist then smashed a ton as just one run separated the sides at the halfway stage.
Michael Vaughan, then the world's best batsman, responded with 183, his third century of the tour as Australia were set a record 452 to win.
They did not come close as Andy Caddick took 7-94 to complete a 10-wicket haul, which gave England something to finally smile about.
Four years earlier England lost by 98 runs in a Test they should have won. Chasing 287 to level the series at 2-2, the tourists looked comfortable as Hussain and Mark Ramprakash took the score to 110 for two – only for Stuart MacGill to leave the tourists in a spin with 7-50.
England dominated the 1995 Test, which became famous for Mike Atherton declaring with Graeme Hick unbeaten on 98 as the skipper pushed for a Test victory.
Atherton’s decision meant England had a day and a session to bowl out the hosts, but it was not to be as a spirited eighth-wicket stand between Warne and Tim May that lasted 77 minutes denied the tourists.
England-Australia Sydney records
England wins: 22
Australia wins: 25
Draws: 7
England - highest total: 644; lowest total: 45
Australia - highest total: 659 for eight; lowest total: 42
1882: Australia won by five wickets
1882: Australia won by six wickets
1883: England won by 69 runs
1883: Australia won by four wickets
1885: Australia won by six runs
1885: Australia won by eight wickets
1887: England won by 13 runs
1887: England won by 71 runs
1888: England won by 126 runs
1892: Australia won by 72 runs
1894: England won by 10 runs
1895: Australia won by an innings and 147 runs
1897: England won by nine wickets
1898: Australia won by six wickets
1901: England won by an innings and 124 runs
1902: Australia won by seven wickets
1903: England won by five wickets
1904: England won 157 runs
1907: Australia won by two wickets
1908: Australia won by 49 runs
1911: Australia won by 146 runs
1912: England won by 70 runs
1920: Australia won by 377 runs
1921: Australia won by nine wickets
1924: Australia won by 193 runs
1925: Australia won by 307 runs
1928: England won by eight wickets
1932: England won by 10 wickets
1933: England won by eight wickets
1936: England won by an innings and 22 runs
1946: Australia won by an innings and 33 runs
1947: Australia won by five wickets
1951: Australia won by an innings and 13 runs
1954: England won by 38 runs
1955: Draw
1959: Draw
1963: Australia won by eight wickets
1963: Draw
1966: England won by an innings and 93 runs
1971: England won by 299 runs
1971: England won by 62 runs
1975: Australia won by 171 runs
1979: England won by 93 runs
1979: England won by nine wickets
1980: Australia won by six wickets
1983: Draw
1987: Australia won by 55 runs
1988: Draw
1991: Draw
1995: Draw
1999: Australia won by 98 runs
2003: England won by 225 runs
2007: Australia won by 10 wickets
2011: England won by an innings and 83 runs