The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced that it is cracking down on ticket touts ahead of this summer's Ashes series against Australia.

Demand for tickets to both Test and one day international matches has reached record levels, and the ECB has issued a warning that punters may be refused entry to matches if tickets bought from unauthorised sources are found to be forgeries. All of the grounds that are hosting matches as part of the Ashes series have established a ticketing action group in partnership with the ECB, and a number of measures will be enforced to prevent ticket touting.

The ECB is also appealing to supporters to help combat the problem by providing details of suspected touts to the governing body.