On the short bus trip from the team hotel to the Gabba, nerves will be tingling, little will be said, iPods will be fastened to ears and sunglasses will cover eyes. Along the way there will be a greeting from the Barmy Army and their patron saint, Jimmy. The trumpeter will be loud and confronting.
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Once in the change rooms, hydration tests and weight checks will be carried out, suncream will be liberally applied and strapping will take place. For many of the players, this will be a time to reflect on what the Ashes means to them and how hard they have worked to get here.
The warm-up will start about an hour and 15 minutes before play. There will be a cap presentation ceremony as Xavier Doherty receives his fresh baggy green from either Ricky Ponting or one of the game's greats. Merv Hughes gave me mine and, although much of what he said was a blur, one thing stands out. ''There is an emu and kangaroo on the front of your hat,'' Merv told me. ''They never take a step backwards, and I know you won't either."
The coach will wish his troops every success for what lies ahead, and the final words of Ponting will ring loudly in their ears.
Ponting is generally not one for Churchillian speeches or fiery rhetoric. Through the nervous haze of the Gabba Test four years ago, I remember him encouraging us to ''stay in the contest and we'll come out on top'', and, above all, enjoy the atmosphere of such a grand occasion. His words had the desired effect.
Warm-ups today will be short and sharp - some light training drills and then some light running. The fielding coach will then take over all players, excluding Brad Haddin, will go through a series of shoulder drills and throwing technique work. Haddin will make his way to the side where he will catch balls specific to his skill within the team.
After the compulsory element of the warm-up, the players are left to their own needs. Some will head to the nets to see a few out of the hand, and some will choose to do some extra catching. For the bowlers, it will be time to mark out run-ups and have a close inspection of the pitch.
Ben Hilfenhaus will be concerned with the breeze as he does not want to bowl with a breeze that inhibits his outswinger. Peter Siddle will probably look at which end will suit his longer run-up. They will each bowl a few looseners to warm up under the close inspection of Troy Cooley, and head back to the rooms to await the coin toss.
On his way to the middle, Ponting will look to the sky to take note of the atmospheric conditions - but will bat. Andrew Strauss will also look above and probably consider bowling as well, but after Steve Harmison's infamous ball to second slip in 2006 he will also think otherwise.
Many in the stands - and, presumably, at home - laughed upon seeing Harmison's errant delivery. Not me. I was very nervous that morning, and all I could think was, ''At least the Poms are as anxious as me.'' The dressing room remained largely silent.
Players and officials will then put on their whites and prepare for the national anthems. God Save the Queen will be first, and the Barmy Army will make it sound as though the stadium is filled with a million English fans, but when the Advance Australia Fair begins the Australians will realise they are home.
Players will have goosebumps on the backs of their necks, and the palms of their hands will become sweaty. This is one on my great memories of the 2006-07 Ashes and something I will never forget.
After the official ceremony, the bowing team and the two opening batsmen will then rush back to the change rooms for a final drink and final preparations. All of the batting team will gather in the glasshouse to watch what happens.
Anxiety will be high but, once the first ball is bowled, it will be game on and the Ashes will begin.
For England's sake, I hope second slip is ready again.
