The legendary Ashes rivalry is set to resume on Friday, November 21, 2025, with the first Test taking place at Optus Stadium in Perth between Australia and England. Australia begins the series as the marginal favorite, but unexpected changes are in store. Steve Smith will captain the hosts for the opening Test in the absence of the injured Pat Cummins. Additionally, Josh Hazlewood’s unavailability means Australia will be without both their premier fast bowlers for a home Test for the first time since 2022. Brendan Doggett is slated for his Test debut, and opener Jake Weatherald is expected to come into the side to fix the top-order issues. Cameron Green’s return to the squad is a welcome boost for the Australian team.
England, under the leadership of Ben Stokes, arrives with a fully fit squad, eager to end their long drought of Test victories in Australia. Their last Test win Down Under dates back to the 2010–11 Ashes, with subsequent tours yielding a high number of defeats and few draws. The inclusion of fit-again pace bowlers Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, who would be playing just their second Test together, adds considerable firepower to England’s attack.
For fans in India, live coverage of the Ashes 2025–26 series will be provided by the Star Sports Network. Live streaming services will be available on JioHotstar. The first Test match in Perth will commence at 7:50 am IST on November 21st.