This match kickstarts the Ashes mission for a 'Bazball '-charged English unit led by Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum. Having not won an Ashes series in Australia since 2010/11 and on a winless streak in their past three tours Down Under, this is the best chance for England to start with a
Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting has delivered his predictions on the upcoming Ashes series, offering his thoughts on the key players for Australia and England and his predicted series scoreline
England's batting core, led by legend Joe Root, will be chasing several milestones in the Ashes series, with the first Test beginning on Friday at Perth's Optus Stadium.
In the 2010/11 Ashes series in Australia, England won by 3-1, their first series win in Australia against their arch-rivals since 1986-87. However, since then, they have failed to win even a Test in Australia on their next three tours, and now the 'Bazball' powered side led by Ben Stokes, is
Australia's fast-bowling resources have taken another major hit ahead of the Ashes series, with ace pacer Josh Hazlewood ruled out of the first Test in Perth, as reported by the International Cricket Council (ICC). The setback follows the earlier unavailability of Australia's regular captai
From his 122 at a tough, cracked and troubling surface at Perth's WACA Stadium back in 2013 in his early 20s, Stokes has come a long way from being a brash, hard-hitting all-rounder to a mastermind behind the chaos that is 'Bazball', alongside the head coach Brendon McCullum. Stokes-McCullum
The star all-rounder, who hadn't played since July due to a shoulder injury, bowled 16 overs across three spells and finished with impressive figures of 6-52. His return is a significant boost for England as they prepare for the Ashes series against Australia, starting on November 21.
Former England pace bowling mainstay Stuart Broad believes the Three Lions have the best shot to stand triumphant in the Ashes for the first time in Australia since 2010-11.
England assistant coach Marcus Trescothick has hailed right-hand batter Joe Root's recent form, saying the former skipper appears to be in complete control of his game and has elevated his batting to another level ahead of the Ashes 2025 series against Australia.
Steve Smith, who is captaining NSW in the Sheffield Shield 2025-26 season and will also lead Australia against England in the upcoming Ashes series, was the lone half-centurian in the entire NSW batting lineup against Victoria.