Come on, it’s time for the most eagerly anticipated Ashes since the last one. Over the course of five Test matches, Australia will play England. The first match begins Friday in Perth, and the hosts hope to hold onto the trophy they have had since 2017–18. Our comprehensive guide to the series is available here.
The Ashes, cricket’s longest rivalry (yes, we are purposefully ignoring the USA vs. Canada match), is usually a major event. However, the 2025–26 series has been heightened to an almost unprecedented degree, even though England has a dismal record in Australia, having gone P15 W0 L13 on their last three trips there.
Then why is everyone so excited?
A multitude of things are involved. The first is the way that England has adopted cricket, which one of ESPNcricinfo’s own has called “Bazball,” and the idea that they will try something different from what few English teams in Australia have done this century. In addition, there is the lingering effect of the 2023 Ashes in England, which ended 2-2 but generated a lot of debate over “moral victories” and who actually won.
The rain in Manchester may have been the only thing that kept them from winning the series, but they did recover from a 2-0 deficit. Let’s not review all of it, though. In an attempt to win in Australia for the first time since 2010–11, England has been preparing for the upcoming season there ever since. They have put together what may be their fastest bowling attack to date.
So, is Australia to be concerned?
Given that England hasn’t even gone close to winning a Test match in the (Un)Lucky Country in the interim time and has particularly terrible memories of a taxing visit in 2021–22 that was enshrouded with Covid rules, the answer is no. Australia last lost in India in 2022–2023, and they have won five of their previous seven Test series, including four consecutive ones. They haven’t lost at home since 2020–21 (again by India). They also advanced to the World Test Championship final, but South Africa defeated them for the mace.
Something ‘but’ is approaching here.
You guessed it. However, Australia, who have selected a team with just one player under 30, are in the unique position of having serious doubts about their starting lineup. Notably, Usman Khawaja, the player at the other end, may be on borrowed time, and it appears that they will start with a rookie. Additionally, they have been plagued by mistimed injuries: Josh Hazlewood, one of Australia’s “Big Three” seam attack, is out with a hamstring strain, while skipper Pat Cummins will miss the first Test as he continues to recover from a back stress response.
So, England will be facing a less formidable opponent?
Although Scott Boland (Australian Test bowling average: 12.63) is a more than sufficient backup for Cummins, Brendan Doggett, another probable debutant, has both form and pedigree following his protracted search for a baggy green. In his role as stand-in captain, Steven Smith will also not be missed. Their selection issues have undoubtedly increased the curiosity surrounding the build-up, regardless of if this is the “worst Australia side since 2010-11.”
Well, the ‘phoney war’ of old.
Still as ridiculous as ever, and unavoidable. However, it’s almost time to stop talking trash.
Are there any other explanations for why hopeful Englishmen remain awake at night?
In any case, Australian fields have been a lot of fun to watch in recent years and might help level the playing field. It’s debatable if England has the appropriate attack for the circumstances.
The top-ranked Test batsmen, Joe Root and Harry Brook (the latter for the first significant Test of his unbeaten away record), as well as a healthy Ben Stokes following a shoulder rupture suffered over the English summer, do come. So far, they’ve been fortunate in terms of injuries; Mark Wood survived his own hamstring-knack scare over the weekend. Ollie Pope’s scores of 100 and 90 during the England Lions warm-up game also put an end to the main topic of discussion regarding their batting order, which was who the No. 3 was.
We’re all on the Bazball bus!
Well, until the wheels come off. The series begins in Perth, where Optus Stadium will host an Ashes Test for the first time. England has only previously won there once, at the former WACA Ground. Then comes Adelaide, which last hosted England for a daytime Test in 2013–14, and the pink-ball day-night match at the Gabba in Brisbane. We should be dealing with a series if the Ashes are still alive at the MCG on Boxing Day Test.
The odds seem favourable, don’t they?
Let’s check. Their finest chance in a long time is undoubtedly this one. If nothing else, it is to be hoped that England will not have lost the match in just 12 days of cricket.
Crossing our fingers! Should I know anything else?
Whether England can win a Test, be competitive, or be completely embarrassed, let’s hope Root gets a century on Australian turf at last. Otherwise, Matthew Hayden is taking a walk—and not in a pleasant way.
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