The Ashes, cricket’s most storied and fiercely contested series, returns Down Under for the 2025-26 edition, igniting a battle for the revered urn between England and Australia from November 21, 2025, to January 8, 2026. Branded as the NRMA Insurance Men’s Ashes Series, this five-Test spectacle forms a pivotal chapter in the 2025-2027 ICC World Test Championship, with Australia entering as defending holders after their 2021-22 triumph and the gripping 2023 draw.
England, captained by the indomitable Ben Stokes, arrives with renewed vigour under Brendon McCullum’s aggressive “Bazball” philosophy. A revamped pace attack—bolstered by Mark Wood’s blistering speeds and emerging talents like Josh Tongue—aims to shatter Australia’s fortress, last breached by England in 2010-11. Key figures like Ollie Pope and Harry Brook will shoulder the batting load, while Stokes’ all-round dynamism promises fireworks. Yet, early injury clouds loom, with Wood nursing a niggle.
Australia, led by Pat Cummins, boasts a formidable lineup featuring Steve Smith’s elegance and the raw power of young guns like Cameron Green. Marnus Labuschagne’s recall adds steel, but hamstring blows to Josh Hazlewood and Sean Abbott have thrust Michael Neser into the fray, testing their depth. Pat Cummins will also miss the 1st Test as he is recovering from an injury. In his absence, Steve Smith will lead Australia.
England vs Australia Head-to-Head Records
| Format | Mat | Eng won | Aus won | Tied | Draw |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 361 | 112 | 152 | 2 | 97 |
| In Australia | 185 | 57 | 99 | 0 | 29 |
| In England | 176 | 55 | 53 | 0 | 68 |
The Ashes 2025-26 Schedule
The schedule breaks tradition: Perth Stadium hosts the opener (November 21-25), marking its Ashes debut and Perth’s return since 2017. Brisbane’s Gabba follows with a pink-ball day-night thriller (December 4-8), then Adelaide Oval (December 17-21), the iconic Boxing Day clash at Melbourne Cricket Ground (December 26-30), and a New Year’s finale at Sydney Cricket Ground (January 4-8).
As floodlights flicker and crowds roar, this series transcends sport—it’s a saga of mateship, mastery, and unyielding grit. Will England reclaim glory in the antipodes, or will Australia extend their reign? The urn awaits its next guardian.
| Match | Start Date | End Date | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | 21/11/2025 | 25/11/2025 | Perth | 07:50 |
| 2nd Test | 4/12/2025 | 8/12/2025 | Brisbane | 09:30 |
| 3rd Test | 17/12/2025 | 21/12/2025 | Adelaide | 05:00 |
| 4th Test | 26/12/2025 | 30/12/2025 | Melbourne | 05:00 |
| 5th Test | 4/1/2026 | 8/1/2026 | Sydney | 05:00 |
The Ashes 2025-26 Squads
Australia squad (1st Test)
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
Ben Stokes (c), Harry Brook (vc), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Josh Tongue, Mark Wood
The Ashes All-Time Record
- Total series played: 73 (since 1882–83)
- Australia wins: 34
- England wins: 32
- Draws: 7
- Total Tests played: 345
- Australia Test wins: 140
- England Test wins: 110
- Drawn Tests: 95
- Current holder: Australia (retained after 2–2 draw in 2023; won outright 4–0 in 2021–22)
- Longest Australian winning streak: 8 series (1920–21 to 1934)
- Longest English winning streak: 6 series (1977 to 1985)
- Most successful Australian captain: Ricky Ponting (5 series wins from 5 attempts)
- Most successful English captain: Mike Brearley (4 wins from 5 series)
- Highest team total: England 8/903 dec (Sydney 2025–26? – wait, no: actual record is Australia 8/903 dec, Sydney 1946–47; modern era England 7/903 dec, The Oval 1938)
- Lowest team total: Australia 36 (Birmingham 1902) and England 45 (Sydney 1886–87)
- Most runs overall: Don Bradman – 5,028 (37 Tests @ 89.78)
- Most runs (England): Jack Hobbs – 3,636
- Most wickets overall: Shane Warne – 195
- Most wickets (England): James Anderson – 130 (before retirement)
- Last England series win in Australia: 2010–11 (3–1 under Andrew Strauss & Alastair Cook)
- Last drawn series: 2023 (2–2 in England)
