2025/26 Ashes guide: Who is in the squads for England and Australia? When did England last win the Ashes? Where is the first Test?
By Rhys Jones
Published 19/11/2025 at 10:56 GMT
React to this story
Here is everything you need to know ahead of the start of the 2025/26 Ashes, including the squads, recent results and more. Our guide also includes a look at when England last beat their bitter rivals in an Ashes series and the schedule for this year's edition. The first Test is set to get underway in Perth on November 21 at 2:20am GMT.
Key for Tongue in Ashes is to 'enjoy it' as bowler recalls India struggles
Video credit: TNT Sports
Cricket's oldest and most iconic rivalry is back, and every ball of the 2025/26 NRMA Insurance men’s Ashes series will be live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
The upcoming series will be the 74th instalment as England head Down Under in search of a first Ashes victory since 2015.
Can Ben Stokes lead his side to the urn? Or will Pat Cummins be the skipper with the bragging rights come January?
There is plenty to keep an eye on in this Ashes series, and TNT Sports has you covered with a handy guide with some key information.
Who is in England's squad?
England have named a 12-player squad for the first Test in Perth on Friday.
Stokes leads the group, and he will hope his body can survive five Tests in seven weeks after undergoing several operations in the last two years and recently returning from a shoulder injury.
- England captain Stokes responds to criticism from 'has-beens' and vows side will be ready for first Ashes 2025 Test
- Australian media like 'bulldogs' because this is England's best chance at winning Ashes in 15 years, says Finn
Joe Root heads to Australia still in search of a first century in the country, while several players will be featuring in their first Ashes series in Australia.
England:
Batters: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook (vc).
All-rounder: Ben Stokes (c).
Wicketkeeper: Jamie Smith.
Bowlers: Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Brydon Carse, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir.
Who is in Australia's squad?
Pat Cummins is not in the squad for the opening Test, but retains the captaincy, and will still be in Perth alongside Australia's coaching team.
Scott Boland has a point to prove as Cummins' replacement after his Ashes appearance in 2023 saw him finish with figures of 2-231 across the two Tests he played.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/11/18/image-891319a5-cfad-4bb6-84bb-4384d4ea32a7-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Smith on 'great feeling' to get backing as England's No. 1 wicket-keeper
Video credit: TNT Sports
The hosts are also without Josh Hazlewood, who was ruled out of the first Test with a hamstring injury. The uncapped Brendan Doggett has a strong chance to play in his stead in Perth.
Sean Abbott also joins Hazlewood on the sidelines, with both picking up injuries during a Sheffield Shield match between New South Wales and Victoria.
Australia:
Batters: Usman Khawaja, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head.
All-rounders: Cameron Green, Beau Webster.
Wicketkeepers: Alex Carey, Josh Inglis.
Bowlers: Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon, Sean Abbott, Brendan Doggett, Michael Neser.
Where is the first Test?
For the first time since 1982, the opening Test of an Ashes series in Australia will be played in Perth instead of Brisbane.
The Gabba had long been the opener to an Ashes series Down Under, but will instead host the second Test on December 4.
Perth Stadium will be home to the first Test, and will be a clean slate for the tourists, who have not played at the new ground yet.
Australia won the first four Tests played there until losing to India in November last year.
England, however, have a pretty poor record in Ashes Test matches in Perth, winning just one and drawing three, whilst Australia have won 10 times.
When did England last win the Ashes?
The Ashes first took place in 1882-1883 in Australia, with England winning the inaugural three-Test series 2-1.
A total of 73 Ashes series have gone by and Australia have the edge on England with 34 wins compared to England's 32.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/11/18/image-a97f8d1e-00b8-472c-970f-b21c58095741-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Smith: England 'have to embrace' noise in Ashes media storm
Video credit: TNT Sports
Seven series have ended in draws, and six of those saw Australia retain the urn.
Recent Ashes results
| Year | Host | Score | Winner |
| 2023 | England | 2-2 | Draw |
| 2021/22 | Australia | 4-0 | Australia |
| 2019 | England | 2-2 | Draw |
| 2017/18 | Australia | 4-0 | Australia |
| 2015 | England | 3-2 | England |
| 2013/14 | Australia | 5-0 | Australia |
| 2013 | England | 3-0 | England |
2025/26 Ashes schedule and start times (all times UK)
- November 21-25: First Test (Perth Stadium, Perth, play starts at 2:20am, coverage begins at 1:30am on first day, then 2:00am for remaining days)
- November 29-30: England v Prime Minister's XI (Canberra, play starts at 3:40am)
- December 4-8: Second Test (Day-night match, The Gabba, Brisbane, play starts at 4:30am, coverage begins at 4:00am)
- December 17-21: Third Test (Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, play starts at midnight, coverage begins at 11:30pm)
- December 26-30: Fourth Test (MCG, Melbourne, play starts at 11:30pm on December 25, coverage begins at 11:00pm)
- January 4-8: Fifth Test (SCG, Sydney, play starts at 11:30pm on January 3, coverage begins at 11:00pm)
- - -
Watch every ball of the 2025/26 Ashes live on TNT Sports and discovery+
Advertisement
Advertisement