Bumble’s guide to Brum… Where to go for real ale and the best mixed grill!

There’s something for everybody in Birmingham, it’s a wonderfully vibrant city.

The pubs are legendary, particularly the Wellington, a brilliant real ale pub on Bennetts Hill in the city centre, which has got about 20 hand-pulls with descriptions and all sorts. It’s a Mecca for real ale enthusiasts. You’re guaranteed a good time there. I get texts and messages from people on Twitter all the time telling me they’ve been to the Wellington so I must be doing them a roaring trade!

I’ve also got to recommend the Hen and Chickens, which is run by two brothers and is a fantastic pub tucked away in the north of the city. Their mixed grill is out of this world. It’s a bit of a trek from Edgbaston but just put it into your Google Maps and make your way there.

I’m a creature of habit so I’ll be in one of those pubs, probably every night.

But there’s also, just off the beaten track, a little pub with two tables outside called the Craven Arms, near the Mailbox. It’s a lovely unspoilt pub which I always make a trip to.

England fans will provide quite the atmosphere as Australia arrive in town on Friday

The famous Hollies stand will bring the atmosphere – and banter – throughout the match

The Craven Arms is just one of several brilliant pubs around the city and is worth popping into

If you want a curry, you’re spoilt for choice. Some of the greatest curry houses are here. There are simply too many to mention but you can’t really go wrong!

Broad Street in the city centre is like Las Vegas! It’s just one long strip of activity, with people descending from everywhere for all sorts of things. It is a real hive of activity.

I don’t think it’s still here but they had a Ronnie Scott’s in Birmingham — the jazz and blues place — and I once stumbled in and Nils Lofgren from Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band was there just playing a solo set.

If you’re a fan of Gladys Knight there’s a great show on called Midnight Train to Georgia this weekend at the Alexandra and also the Everly Brothers tribute Walk Right Back.

In Birmingham, you can either have it cultural or raw and I have my plans and know exactly where I’ll be at certain times this weekend. Get out there and have some Brum fun!

In the city centre is the Bullring and that’s exactly what the cricket ground will be like today. It will be a raucous atmosphere at Edgbaston and England will thrive off it.

A Nasser Hussain double hundred helped England hammer Australia in the first Test in 1997

Edgbaston will be a proper away game for Australia and the ground is a stronghold for England

There’s a lot to be said about Edgbaston as a stronghold for England and there’s no better place for Ben Stokes and his side to start the Ashes. This is a proper away game for Australia and they will feel that.

Back when I was involved, we played the Aussies first up at Edgbaston in 1997 and gave them a real good hiding. They won the toss and were 50 odd for eight on the first day, then Nasser Hussain got a double hundred for us.

They didn’t know what had hit them and both sets of players will know the atmosphere will be full-on. For excitement alone, I’d compare this series to 2005, when England had a fabulous attack and Australia were a wonderful team.

They have the quicker bowlers this time and I’m slightly concerned England don’t have as much pace. Even if they leave Josh Hazlewood out, what an attack they have. But I get the selection of Broad and he will get under Australia’s skin. They’ve not forgiven him for not walking for that slip catch in 2013. I did a thing for Australian radio the other night and they brought that up. As if those guys always walk off? Absolutely bloody nonsense!

Talking about experience, Nathan Lyon will be the key bowler in this series. The pitches will be bone dry and the spinner will have a huge part to play.

Moeen Ali’s selection is a worthy one, but he didn’t want to play again until Stokes got in contact

Australia’s Nathan Lyon is a world class spinner a will have a huge role to play in the series

Moeen Ali’s selection is a worthy one, but you have to remember he didn’t want to play Tests again. Stokes rang him, so he’s the captain’s pick.

Moeen is a gem of a man and if you listen to his reasoning, it’s clear he is playing for Stokes as he’s a different captain to Alastair Cook and Joe Root and this team is something he wants to be a part of. Yes, his record against Australia isn’t great, but he wants to play for Stokes and that could be crucial.

I’ll be rooting for England like you wouldn’t believe but the cricket man in me thinks Australia will be too strong. How I’d love to be proved wrong.

It’s unbelievably important to get off to a good start and the fans will love it this weekend. Let’s get down to business.