Phil Haigh
Published November 21, 2025 8:55am
Updated November 21, 2025 8:55am
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Ben Stokes will captain England in Australia for the first time (Picture: Philip Brown/Getty Images)
The Ashes is now underway as England look to win in Australia for the first time in 15 years and regain the famous urn.
The last Ashes series finished 2-2 in England in 2023, but it has been very one-sided in Australia in recent years.
The English won 3-1 in 2010/11 but since then the Aussies have won 5-0, 4-0 and 4-0, with the most recent whitewash in 2021/22.
However, there is hope that Ben Stokes can lead his team to a rare victory Down Under, or at the very least be a lot more competitive than recent trips.
Australia will be captained by Steve Smith in the first Test as Pat Cummins is injured, although the pace bowler is expected to return in the second contest.
The home side will also be without Josh Hazelwood in Perth, so England have a chance to start well against a depleted Aussie attack.
Get ready for some late nights or very early morning as England take on one of the toughest tests in cricket.
Test dates and UK times
First Test – Optus Stadium, Perth
Start date: November 21
UK start time: 2.30am
First session: 2.30-4.30am
Second session: 5.10-7.10am
Final session: 7.30-9.30am
The England squad ahead of the first Test (Picture: Getty Images)
Second Test – The Gabba, Brisbane
Start date: December 4
UK start time: 4.30am (day/night match)
First session: 4.30-6.30am
Second session: 7.10-9.10am
Final session: 9.30-11.30am
Third Test – Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Start date: December 17
UK start time: 12am
First session: 12-2am
Second session: 2.40-4.40am
Final session: 5-7am
Jofra Archer is fit and available for England (Picture: Getty Images)
Fourth Test – MCG, Melbourne
Start date: December 25
UK start time: 11.30pm
First session: 11.30pm-1.30am
Second session: 2.10-4.10am
Final session: 4.30-6.30am
Fifth Test – SCG, Sydney
Start date: January 3
UK start time: 11.30pm
First session: 11.30pm-1.30am
Second session: 2.10-4.10am
Final session: 4.30-6.30am
Australia will ‘target’ England star in the Ashes, says Matthew Hayden
How to watch The Ashes on TV in the UK
TNT Sports will be showing all the action in the UK, so you will need a subscription to watch on their channel or streaming service Discovery+.
The BBC’s Test Match Special will be covering the series on the radio.
While Sky continues to show home England games, there was reportedly little interest from the broadcaster in the overseas series as focus is on Premier League football and the World Darts Championship over the winter.
Ashes venues
Optus Stadium, Perth
Capacity: 61,000
The Optus Stadium in Perth (Picture: Getty Images)
The Gabba, Brisbane
Capacity: 37,000
The Gabba in Brisbane (Picture: Getty Images)
Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Capacity: 53,500
The Adelaide Oval (Picture: Getty Images)
MCG, Melboune
Capacity: 100,000
The Melbourne Cricket Ground (Picture: Getty Images)
SCG, Sydney
Capacity: 48,000
The Sydney Cricket Ground (Picture: Getty Images)
England squad
Batters
- Harry Brook
- Jacob Bethall
- Zak Crawley
- Ben Duckett
- Ollie Pope
- Joe Root
Much is expected of Joe Root for England this winter (Picture: Getty Images)
All-Rounders
- Ben Stokes
- Will Jacks
Wicketkeeper
- Jamie Smith
Bowlers
- Jofra Archer
- Gus Atkinson
- Shoaib Bashir
- Brydon Carse
- Matthew Potts
- Josh Tongue
- Mark Wood
Australia squad
Batters
- Usman Khawaja
- Jake Weatherald
- Marnus Labuschagne
- Steve Smith
- Travis Head
- Josh Inglis
Steve Smith captains Australia in the first Test (Picture: Getty Images)
All-Rounders
- Cameron Green
- Beau Webster
Wicketkeeper
- Alex Carey
Bowlers
Pat Cummins (injured first Test)
- Mitchell Starc
- Josh Hazelwood (injured first Test)
- Scott Boland
- Nathan Lyon
- Sean Abbott
- Brendan Doggett
- Michael Neser
Mitchell Starc will lead Australia’s pace attack (Picture: Getty Images)
Ashes odds
Series winner
4/7 Australia
17/2 Draw
2/1 England
First Test
4/6 Australia
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12/1 Draw
Odds courtesy of Betfair
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