Cricket Australia have unveiled the fixtures for next summer's Ashes, with a mere 88 days between the end of the 2013 series in England and the first Test beginning in Brisbane.
Back-to-back series are a rarity for England and Australia, but the schedule has been forced on the two sides because of Australia hosting the 2015 ICC World Cup.
The final Test of the 2013 Ashes series in England ends on August 25 at The Oval, with the first Test of the 2013/14 Australian summer season set to begin on November 21 at the Gabba.
The release of the fixtures also confirmed the absence once again of the one-day international tri-series, with Australia instead to play five 50-over matches against England and three T20 internationals.
The tri-series was originally suspended after the 2007/08 season, but reappeared last summer with Sri Lanka and India before being scrapped once more.
Australia will play Sri Lanka and the West Indies in two separate five-game ODI series this summer.
England will play four tour matches in Australia prior to the 2013/14 Ashes, beginning on October 31 with a clash against a Western Australian XI at the WACA.
"We are delighted to be able to confirm the Ashes fixtures so far in advance of the series. It means fans will be able to plan their trips around the country to follow all the action," Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland said on Wednesday.
"I am sure there will be a lot of fans from the UK who will want to make the trip over and we look forward to hosting them here."
Ashes Series 2013-14
Thursday 21–25 November 2013: First Test at the Gabba
Thursday 5–9 December 2013: Second Test at Adelaide Oval
Friday 13–17 December 2013: Third Test at the WACA Ground
Thursday 26–30 December 2013: Fourth Test at the MCG
Friday 3–7 January 2014: Fifth Test at the SCG
Tour matches
31 October–2 November: WA XI v England at the WACA Ground
6–9 November: Australia A v England at Blundstone Arena
13–16 November: NSW XI v England at the SCG
29–30 November: Chairman's XI v England at Manuka Oval