The Ashes Battle Resumes: Everything You Need to Know
Cricket's greatest rivalry reignites this week as Australia and England commence the 74th Ashes series in Perth. After the dramatic 2-2 draw in England during 2023, both teams return to Australian soil for what promises to be the most competitive series down under in over a decade.
Complete Match Schedule and Timings
The 2025-26 Ashes features a reshuffled Test schedule with significant changes for cricket enthusiasts. The action begins on Friday 21st November in Perth with the first ball scheduled for 10:20am local time. For viewers in Sydney and Melbourne, that translates to 1:20pm AEDT, while Brisbane residents should tune in just after midday.
The series maintains traditional Boxing Day and New Year fixtures but introduces a crucial scheduling adjustment. Adelaide loses its day-night Test status, with the pink ball moving to Brisbane's Gabba for the second match. The revised schedule provides bowlers with much-needed recovery time, featuring week-long gaps between the opening three Tests.
The full Ashes 2025-26 schedule:
- First Test: Perth, starting 21 November
- Second Test: Brisbane (day-nighter), 4 December
- Third Test: Adelaide, 17 December
- Fourth Test: Melbourne, 26 December
- Fifth Test: Sydney, 4 January
Team Dynamics and Key Players
Australia enters this series undergoing significant transition, with an ageing squad facing unexpected changes. Injuries to key bowlers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have forced selectors to explore new options, creating uncertainty in both batting and bowling lineups.
The hosts introduce several fresh faces, including Brendan Doggett, who stands to become Australia's third known Indigenous Test player if selected. The 31-year-old fast bowler from South Australia averages 26.46 in first-class cricket and has taken 13 wickets in his past two Sheffield Shield matches, marking an impressive comeback after injury setbacks delayed his initial 2018 squad selection.
Another newcomer, Jake Weatherald, brings aggressive opening batting to the squad. The 31-year-old has earned his opportunity after moving from South Australia to Tasmania and taking two mental health breaks, scoring 1,391 runs at an average of 53.5 since last summer, including a dominant 183 for Australia A against Sri Lanka A in July.
Notably absent is young opener Sam Konstas, who impressed at the MCG last Boxing Day but has struggled for consistency, averaging just 16.3 from his five Tests. Despite being overlooked for the main squad, the 20-year-old remains in Cricket Australia's development plans and will feature for the Prime Minister's XI against England later this month.
Series Stakes and Competitive Outlook
The urn retention rules add extra tension to this series. Should the matches finish level, Australia will retain the Ashes as the current holders, having won convincingly on home soil four years ago. This outcome would extend Australia's possession of the coveted urn to five consecutive series.
England approach this tour with renewed optimism despite their poor record in Australia, having not won a Test there since 2011. The past three Ashes series on Australian soil have been decidedly one-sided, but Australia's ageing squad and injury concerns provide England with their best opportunity in years.
Guardian cricket writers are divided on the eventual winner, though most agree this represents the most competitive Ashes series in Australia since England's triumphant 2010-11 campaign. The outcome may well depend on which team best manages their transitional players and handles the demanding schedule.
How to Follow the Action
Cricket fans have multiple options for comprehensive Ashes coverage. The Guardian will provide live ball-by-ball blogging throughout the series with expert commentary from writers stationed in both Australia and the UK.
Australian cricket writer Geoff Lemon will cover each Test from the grounds, while English journalists Ali Martin and Simon Burnton offer the tourists' perspective. For podcast enthusiasts, Lemon joins Football Weekly host Max Rushden for the Guardian's special Ashes Weekly podcast.
Television coverage in Australia is shared between Channel Seven and Foxtel, with both broadcasters showing every delivery. Seven's commentary team, also available on 7plus, features James Brayshaw, Mel McLaughlin and Emma Freedman alongside cricket legends including Ricky Ponting, Matthew Hayden and England's Stuart Broad.
Foxtel and Kayo Sports counter with their own star-studded lineup including Adam Gilchrist, David Warner, Brett Lee and Michael Vaughan. Radio listeners can tune into ABC's coverage led by Jim Maxwell and Corbin Middlemas, with additional commentary on SEN and Triple M.
As for the traditional Sydney weather question that often affects the New Year Test, historical patterns suggest rain interruptions at the SCG remain likely, adding another unpredictable element to this highly anticipated Ashes contest.
