Cricket Discussion | Everything you need to know about the upcoming Ashes series
The biggest series in world cricket is about to start...
The Ashes between Australia and England gets underway on 21 November.
Author | Peter Jones
Australia are the current holders after retaining the urn with a 2-2 draw in England in 2023.
What are the dates?
- First Test: 21-25 November in Perth
- Second Test: 4-8 December in Brisbane
- Third Test: 17-21 December in Adelaide
- Fourth Test: 25-29 December in Melbourne
- Fifth Test: 3-7 January in Sydney
The format of the series
The series is held every two years, with Australia and England alternating as hosts during their respective summers.
Each Test can run for up to five days, with four possible outcomes: an Australia win, an England win, a draw or a tie.
The side that wins the most Tests claims the series and takes possession of the Ashes. If the series finishes level, Australia will retain the urn as the current holders.
Recent winners of the series.
- 2009 in England: England won 2-1 to regain the Ashes
- 2010-11 in Australia: England won 3-1 to retain the Ashes
- 2013 in England: England won 3-0 to retain the Ashes
- 2013-14 in Australia: Australia won 5-0 to regain the Ashes
- 2015 in England: England won 3-2 to regain the Ashes
- 2017-18 in Australia: Australia won 4-0 to regain the Ashes
- 2019 in England: Drawn 2-2 so Australia retain the Ashes
- 2021-22 in Australia: Australia won 4-0 to retain the Ashes
- 2023 in England: Drawn 2-2 so Australia retain the Ashes
Who’s in the England squad?
England head into the series with a largely familiar squad, once again led by Ben Stokes, who has overseen a stable core of players in recent years.
Stokes has undergone surgery on his left knee and hamstring during the past two years and sat out the final Test of the India tour in August because of a shoulder problem.
SuperNewsAffiliate | Ashes warm-up | Final day of England v England Lions supernewsaffiliate.blogspot.com/2025/11/cric...
— Super News Affiliate (@sup3rnew5affiliate.bsky.social) 16 November 2025 at 15:39
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Joe Root returns to Australia still looking for his first Test century in the country. The former captain has pretty much done everything in his career. Starring in a series win ‘Down Under’ would effectively complete the set and make a genuine argument for him being one of England’s best ever.
Harry Brook and wicketkeeper Jamie Smith are set to make their Ashes debuts on Australian soil.
A key selection question focuses on the number three position, with Ollie Pope facing pressure from Jacob Bethell. However, as revealed by a number of media organisations (including SuperNewsAffiliate as seen below), it is expected that Pope will start the series as number three. Pope has hit 3,607 runs since he started his career and will be a key player for this England side.
SuperNewsAffiliate | Ashes News | Ollie Pope expected to stay as England number three supernewsaffiliate.blogspot.com/2025/11/cric...
— Super News Affiliate (@sup3rnew5affiliate.bsky.social) 12 November 2025 at 10:25
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England’s long-term aim has been to arrive in Australia with a formidable group of fast bowlers and the presence of Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Josh Tongue, Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse suggests they have achieved it.
Shoaib Bashir is expected to lead the spin attack, with Surrey all-rounder Will Jacks earning a surprise call-up as his understudy.
Who’s in the Australia squad?
Australia will be without their captain Pat Cummins for the opening Test as he continues his recovery from a lower back injury.
Steve Smith, who boasts a formidable record against England, will take charge of the side in Perth.
Scott Boland is expected to step in for Cummins, having served as Australia’s reserve seamer in recent years. He is likely to line up alongside Mitchell Starc and spinner Nathan Lyon.
Australia’s preparations were further disrupted a week before the first Test when Josh Hazlewood was sidelined with a hamstring problem, opening the door for uncapped pacer Brendan Doggett to feature.
There is also uncertainty at the top of the order. Jake Weatherald has been included as an opening option but is not assured of a debut, with Marnus Labuschagne another possibility. That decision may hinge on whether Cameron Green is fit to contribute as an all-rounder or must play purely as a batter.
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