The 2025–26 Ashes: Full Series Guide, Schedule, Venues, and Players to Watch

Australia and England are ready to resume cricket’s oldest and fiercest rivalry in a five-Test Ashes series starting this November. The battle for the tiny urn returns Down Under — and we’ve got everything you need to know right here: schedules, venues, broadcast details, pitch reports, team analysis, and key players to watch.

What Is The Ashes?

The Ashes is cricket’s most storied contest, played between England and Australia every two years. The term originates from an 1882 newspaper obituary published after England’s shocking home defeat to Australia. It humorously declared that English cricket had died and that “the ashes” would be taken to Australia.

When England won the return tour later that year, their captain was presented with a small terracotta urn — said to contain the ashes of a bail. Since then, the urn has symbolized cricket supremacy between the two nations. The original trophy now sits in the MCC Museum at Lord’s, while each winning team receives a replica.

Australia currently hold the Ashes, having drawn 2–2 in England in 2023 following a dominant 4–0 home win in 2021. England will be desperate to reclaim the urn after decades of struggle Down Under.

2025–26 Ashes Schedule and How to Watch

The first Test begins in Perth on November 21, with play starting at 02:30 AM (UK time) after a 02:00 AM toss. All matches will be broadcast live on TNT Sports.

Series Fixtures:

1st Test: Nov 21–25 – Optus Stadium, Perth

2nd Test: Dec 4–8 – The Gabba, Brisbane (Day-Night Test)

3rd Test: Dec 17–21 – Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

4th Test: Dec 26–30 – MCG, Melbourne (Boxing Day Test)

5th Test: Jan 4–8 – SCG, Sydney

Venue and Pitch Insights

????️ Perth – Optus Stadium

Only five Tests have been played here.

Average 1st innings score: 395

Australia have won four of the five.

First innings runs/wicket: 34.9 | Fourth innings: 19.4

Traditionally England’s tour starts with a brutal introduction to Aussie pace and bounce. However, the Optus surface has been tamer than the old WACA, where England won just once in 13 Tests. India’s 295-run win here in 2023 showed that visiting teams can succeed if they adapt quickly.

????️ Brisbane – The Gabba (Day/Night Test)

Australia have lost only twice here since 1987.

Average 1st innings runs/wicket: 32.9 | Fourth innings: 36.1

Pink ball likely to dominate under lights.

The Gabba is Australia’s fortress, but the pink-ball Test adds intrigue. Expect movement and seam in the twilight sessions, where bowlers like Mitchell Starc become lethal. Captains may even time declarations to exploit the evening conditions.

????️ Adelaide Oval

1st innings average: 44.8 runs/wicket

Only three draws in the last seven day Tests.

England last won here by an innings in 2010.

Adelaide has hosted several day-night Tests recently, but this series will see a traditional day match. The pitch once had a flat reputation but has been lively in recent years. Expect swing under the lights and turn for spinners late in the match.

????️ Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) – Boxing Day Test

1st innings average: 40.3 runs/wicket

Only one draw in the last ten Tests.

Australia have won seven of those.

The Boxing Day Test at the MCG is an Australian sporting institution. With crowds near 90,000, the atmosphere is electric. Historically, it’s one of England’s better hunting grounds, offering seam and swing. But they’ll need to overcome Steve Smith (average 78 at the MCG) and Pat Cummins (41 wickets in eight matches).

????️ Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG)

1st innings average: 46.1 runs/wicket

Four of the top wicket-takers here are spinners.

Australia unbeaten in their last ten Tests at this venue.

If the Ashes go down to the wire, Australia will fancy their chances here thanks to Nathan Lyon and the spin-friendly surface. England’s challenge will be finding a reliable spin option — perhaps Will Jacks or Shoaib Bashir — to exploit similar conditions.

Recent Ashes Results in Australia

Squads

Australia

Captain: Pat Cummins
Batters: Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Matt Renshaw
Wicketkeeper: Alex Carey
All-rounders: Cameron Green, Beau Webster
Bowlers: Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland

(Final squad to be confirmed.)

England

Captain: Ben Stokes
Batters: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jacob Bethell
Wicketkeeper: Jamie Smith
All-rounder: Will Jacks
Bowlers: Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Brydon Carse, Shoaib Bashir, Matt Potts, Josh Tongue, Gus Atkinson

Team Analysis

???????? Australia

Still formidable at home, Australia rarely lose a series on their soil — but this is not the settled side of old. Usman Khawaja’s form is patchy, and Pat Cummins’s fitness is a concern. Their strategy could depend heavily on his availability.

Their biggest edge remains their mentality — relentless, ruthless, and backed by a home crowd that thrives on the rivalry. If they strike early in the series, England could be in for another tough tour.

???? England

England’s “Bazball” revolution continues to divide opinion — fearless to some, reckless to others. Their high-tempo batting can overwhelm opponents but also invites collapses. The pace battery of Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, and Gus Atkinson is built for Australian conditions, but keeping them all fit will be the challenge.

Ben Stokes’s leadership and fitness will define their campaign. If England’s fast bowlers stay healthy and their top order holds firm, they have the firepower to end years of misery Down Under.

Players to Watch

Marnus Labuschagne (Australia) – After a slump, he’s back in red-hot domestic form. A key cog in Australia’s batting, Labuschagne’s obsession with perfection could be England’s nightmare.

Beau Webster (Australia) – With Green recovering from injury, Webster may fill the all-rounder role. His batting depth and useful seamers could prove vital balance.

Jofra Archer (England) – England’s X-factor. His pace and bounce are tailor-made for Australian wickets. Fitness remains the only question mark.

Jacob Bethell (England) – A bold selection. The young left-hander will likely bat at No. 3, tasked with proving his technique in the toughest environment of all.

Final Thoughts

The 2025–26 Ashes promises to be another gripping chapter in cricket’s greatest rivalry. Australia will look to defend their turf and extend England’s 38-year drought Down Under, while England’s aggressive brand of cricket might just be bold enough to rewrite history.

Stay tuned to cricketclues.com for cricket betting tips throughout the series for daily match previews, stats breakdowns, and expert analysis from our team of writers.