The 2025–26 Ashes’s — the 5-Test Test series between Australia and England —starts on 21 November 2025 and runs through 8 January 2026. The series is part of the 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship and marks another chapter in the oldest competition in cricket as England travel to Australia to try to recover the urn.
Fixtures & Venues
The five Tests and their broad dates/venues (confirmed by the ECB and Cricket Australia):
- 1st Test — Optus Stadium, Perth (Perth Stadium): 21–25 November 2025 (the “West Test”).
- 2nd Test — The Gabba, Brisbane: 3-8 December (day–night Test).
- 3rd Test — Adelaide Oval, Adelaide: 16-20 December.
- 4th Test — [Venue around Boxing Day window, typically Melbourne (MCG) or similar] — 25-29 December.
- 5th Test — Sydney (SCG) / final Test across early January — 3-7 January finish.
(Exact match windows and local start times are available from the individual match centres — Cricket Australia and ESPN Cricinfo provide schedules and ticketing links. )
Squads, leaders and injury watch
Australia
Australia named squads for the opening Test(s) with some selection curiosity around batting options and all-rounders. Notable items: Jake Weatherald was named in the Australia squad for the first Test in Perth and emerged as a competitor to open; selectors have included a mix of experience and a pair of uncapped fast-bowling options for Perth. Pat Cummins’ fitness has been a continuing talking point — selectors have stated cautious optimism about his role in the summer though he was considered unlikely for the opener earlier in his recovery. Steve Smith has been mentioned stepping into leadership roles when Cummins is unavailable.
England
England named a 16-man touring squad in September with Ben Stokes as captain. The squad balances speed and spin, with the returns of players such as Shoaib Bashir and Mark Wood from injury, Harry Brook assigned vice-captain, and Will Jacks included as a red-ball option. The selection shows England aiming to mix experience (Root, Stokes, Archer) with younger pace and spin options.
Key players to watch
- Australia: Marnus Labuschagne (batting anchor), Steve Smith (when leading/available), Cameron Green (all-round matchwinner when fit), capacity new faces like Jake Weatherald for top-order depth. Fast-bowling depth will be closely watched, particularly Pat Cummins’ availability.
- England: Ben Stokes (captain and match-influencer), Joe Root (experience at No. 3 ),Harry Brook (aggressive number 4 and vice-captain), Jofra Archer / Mark Wood for raw pace, and arising spinners (Shoaib Bashir) to use Australian pitches
Conditions & tactical angles
- Perth (Optus Stadium): Traditionally one of the faster, bouncier Australian exterior where quick scoring and pace bowlers can get reward; Optus has bigger boundaries than the old WACA but still favors strokeplay and bounce. Perth has been chosen to kick off the series — a tough place for touring sides to begin.
- Brisbane (Gabba day–night): The Gabba historically favors disciplined pace and bounce but has also seen relatively even contests; a pink-ball day–night Test adds tactical complexity (visibility, ball behavior).
- Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney: Expect the Adelaide Oval to reward batting and skillful spin/pace combinations; Boxing Day at the MCG (if scheduled) is typically a high-profile Test with big crowds; SCG (if the final Test is there) tends to assist spin as the match goes on.
Tactics will rotate around willing fast bowling spells up front, precise fielding (Ashes margins are often tiny), and the use of spinners late in the series when pitches can turn — especially if matches run long into the 4th/5th days.
Context & stakes
- Australia go into the series as the current holders of the Ashes after the 2021–22 victory and the 2023 drawn series, so England need to win the series in Australia to reclaim the urn on foreign soil — a historically difficult task. The series also contributes points to the ICC World Test Championship (WTC), so there are both pride and championship implications.
Form guide & recent lead-ins
Both sides played bilateral series and global white-ball competitions in the lead-up; form in red-ball cricket (home and county/state performances) will be scrutinized for selection decisions. Australia’s domestic form, their domestic quicks, and England’s county returns influenced squad selection and touring plans. (See team match centres and squad announcements for up-to-date availability and warm-up fixtures.)
Broadcasting, tickets and how to follow
- Broadcast: Cricket Australia (TV partners) typically provide coverage across Foxtel/Channel 7/Kayo in Australia, while the BBC and Sky/other regional broadcasters carry the series in the UK and elsewhere. Match centres on ESPNcricinfo and Cricbuzz provide ball-by-ball text, stats and live commentary.
- Tickets: On-sale and ticketing details are on the Cricket Australia match pages for each venue; the Perth opener was widely reported as trading strongly. Early purchase is advised for marquee tests such as Perth and the Boxing Day Test because of demand.
Predictions & narratives to watch
- Opening intensity: How England negotiates Perth’s pace and bounce early will likely set the tone. An early win in Perth drastically increases a visitor’s chance in the series; conversely, a home win would settle Australia’s summer.
- Captaincy & injuries: Pat Cummins’ fitness, Steve Smith’s leadership if Cummins is delayed, and Ben Stokes’ recovery/availability are storylines that can tilt matches. Selection gambles (e.g., picking an extra seamer or an extra batter) will be analysed.
- New faces: Any beginners who seize the moment (e.g., new fast bowlers in Perth or an opener like Weatherald) could become series characters quickly.
Quick facts (at a glance)
- Series dates: 21 Nov 2025 – 8 Jan 2026.
- Number of Tests: 5 (part of WTC cycle).
- Opening venue: Optus Stadium (Perth).
- Key selection headlines: Jake Weatherald named in Australia’s 15-man Perth squad; England’s touring party includes Stokes (captain) and Brook (vice-captain).
Where to get deeper, live updates
- ESPNcricinfo Match Centre — fixtures, full squads, live scores and deep stats.
- Cricket Australia (official) — match centres, tickets, broadcast partners and official news.
- BBC / Sky Sports / Reuters / The Guardian — high-quality match reports, features and analysis.