Ashes 2025–26: Full Schedule, Venues, England and Australia Squads, and Key Storylines
The Ashes 2025–26 begins on 21 November in Perth and runs until 8 January in Sydney. Here’s the full schedule, venues, probable England and Australia squads, and key storylines including Ben Stokes’ return and Pat Cummins’ fitness race.
Sydney – September 2025
The countdown has begun for cricket’s greatest rivalry. The Ashes 2025–26 promises to be one of the most gripping contests in recent memory, as England travel to Australia for a five-Test battle that will run from 21 November 2025 to 8 January 2026. With injury returns, squad reshuffles, and iconic venues hosting the matches, anticipation is at an all-time high.
Ashes 2025–26: Complete Schedule
Cricket Australia has confirmed the fixtures for the upcoming series, with a mix of traditional contests and new scheduling patterns. Notably, for the first time since 1982–83, the Ashes will not begin at Brisbane’s Gabba but instead at Perth Stadium.
📅 Full Ashes Test Match Schedule
- 1st Test – Perth Stadium, Perth | 21–25 November 2025
- 2nd Test (Day/Night) – The Gabba, Brisbane | 4–8 December 2025
- 3rd Test – Adelaide Oval, Adelaide | 17–21 December 2025
- 4th Test (Boxing Day Test) – Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Melbourne | 26–30 December 2025
- 5th Test (New Year’s Test) – Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), Sydney | 4–8 January 2026
This iconic five-match series will once again span Australia’s most prestigious venues, offering a blend of traditional red-ball cricket and the modern spectacle of a day-night Test.
England Squad Outlook
England enter the series with renewed optimism under coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes, who is making steady progress after a shoulder injury.
🔹 Key England Developments
- Ben Stokes: Expected to captain, with his batting already showing signs of recovery.
- Mark Wood: Returning from knee surgery and could be a critical factor in England’s pace attack.
- Jofra Archer: Back in rhythm after a stunning 4–18 spell in the recent ODI series, managed carefully for the Ashes.
- Jamie Overton: Ruled out after taking an indefinite break from red-ball cricket.
🔹 Probable England Squad
- Batting: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ollie Pope
- All-Rounder: Ben Stokes (C)
- Wicketkeeper: Jamie Smith
- Pace Attack: Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Gus Atkinson
- Spin Options: Shoaib Bashir, with Rehan Ahmed or Jacob Bethell in contention
England’s focus will be on balancing their aggressive “Bazball” philosophy with the challenges of Australian conditions, where bounce, pace, and durability are always tested.
Australia Squad Outlook
Defending the urn on home soil, Australia will once again lean on its experienced core. However, injuries to key players have cast a shadow on their preparations.
🔹 Key Australia Developments
- Pat Cummins: The skipper faces a race against time to recover from a lumbar stress fracture. His presence could be decisive for Australia’s fast-bowling arsenal.
- Mitchell Starc & Josh Hazlewood: Expected to shoulder the pace burden if Cummins is unavailable.
- Nathan Lyon: Continues as Australia’s frontline spinner, with experience of bowling in all conditions.
- Batting Core: Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Travis Head remain the pillars of Australia’s middle order.
🔹 Probable Australia Squad
- Batting: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head
- All-Rounders: Cameron Green, Mitchell Marsh
- Wicketkeepers: Josh Inglis or Alex Carey
- Pace Attack: Pat Cummins (C, fitness pending), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland
- Spin: Nathan Lyon
Australia’s selectors will also keep a close watch on Sheffield Shield performances in the lead-up to the series, with four domestic games scheduled to fine-tune their squad.
Key Storylines to Watch
- Stokes’ Leadership Return – After battling injuries, Ben Stokes’ leadership could be England’s biggest weapon in shifting momentum.
- Jofra Archer’s Redemption – England’s x-factor pacer is being carefully managed for peak performance in Australia.
- Cummins’ Fitness Race – Will the Australian captain recover in time, or will the pace attack rely more heavily on Starc and Hazlewood?
- Spin vs Pace Balance – Nathan Lyon’s experience versus England’s younger spin options could shape results on slower pitches.
- Venue Dynamics – With the first Test in Perth, conditions will favor fast bowlers, setting the tone for the entire series.
What This Ashes Means
The Ashes remains cricket’s most prestigious bilateral contest, steeped in tradition since 1882. For England, the 2025–26 tour offers a chance to reclaim the urn after Australia’s dominance at home in recent series. For Australia, it is about defending their fortress and proving their depth in the face of injury concerns.
With legendary venues, iconic players returning, and a balance of tradition and modern cricket spectacle, the 2025–26 Ashes promises drama, intensity, and world-class Test cricket at its very best.
