The Ashes Preview : England look to flip recent history down under, Australia look to keep home record intact.

joshiadi227
Nov 19, 2025
3 min read

Updated: Nov 20, 2025

The build up to the Ashes 2025 has been rather inconsistent for both sides. As Australia and England square off in what promises to be yet another intriguing Ashes, one thing is for sure that there will not be any shortage of high voltage drama even though both teams are struck by injuries to key players.

For England, this Ashes holds the key. They last won a test match in Australia in January 2011 and Ben Stokes’ side has a golden chance to set the record straight. The English will be without the veteran duo of James Anderson and Stuart Broad for the first time in an Ashes series, but this gives a chance for other talented fast bowlers like Mark Wood, Joffra Archer, Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse to make a mark. Atkinson, Archer and Carse will be playing their first test series down under and needless to say, will be raring to have a go at the hosts.

The batting too looks in terrific form too with Ben Duckett, Zack Crawley, Joe Root and Ben Stokes. But it’s the new additions that will make the difference. Jamie Smith, Oliie Pope and most importantly, Harry Brook are part of the squad and their power hitting will hold the key to England’s chances.

As far as the hosts are concerned, they are also grappling with injuries. Josh Hazelwood has been ruled out, so has Pat Cummins. The onus lies on Mitch Starc as he is the senior in the side although Scott Boland is a beast when it comes to bowling in Aussie conditions. Cummins and Hazelwood are expected to return at some point of time and it would be interesting to see how the series will be poised.

The batting has never looked this vulnerable for Australia. There is no permanent opener, Marnus Labuschagne is struggling as is Steve Smith and the only inform batsman seems to be Travis Head, who had a terrific last summer against India. They need to get their opening combination right against a bowling attack that will keep coming at them.

The worst Australian team since 2010 when England last won, and it's the best English team since then," claimed Stuart Broad on his BBC podcast in a conversation with Jos Buttler. "Not an opinion, it's a fact," he reinstated. Steven Smith meanwhile, has already downplayed the prospect of Bazball being effective Down Under. England have been poor starters in every Ashes series opener, but this time the tide might shift. Needless to say, all the adjectives have been used for what promises to be another riveting Ashes 2025/26 series.

The first ball of the Ashes 2021/22 knocked had Rory Burns' leg stump knocked back by Mitchell Starc. The first ball of Ashes 2023 saw Zack Crawley desptach Pat Cummins to the boundary to start off the summer in Bazball style. Stokes urges his team to contiune Bazball as England look for a second urn in the 21st Century, while Steve Smith put it across bluntly that the Mccullum- Stokes stlye gameplay will be ineffective on these wickets. An enthralling 5 weeks of cricket of drama, banter, controversies and more importantly, TEST CRICKET await us.

The opening test will be played at the Optus stadium in Perth before the teams move to the Gabba for the day night test. The Adelaide oval will host the third test while the iconic MCG will be hosting the boxing day test .The tour will round off with the SCG hosting the new years test.

Australia Squad (first Test only): Steve Smith (C), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster.

England Squad (first Test only): Ben Stokes (C), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope,Joe Root, Jamie Smith (WK) and Mark Wood.