Ashes 2025-26: Full schedule, squads, match timings, venues, live streaming details

The much-awaited Ashes 2025-26 will get underway with the opening clash between Australia and England at the Perth Stadium on Friday, November 21. Australia will be led by Steve Smith in the opening Test as regular skipper Pat Cummins is unavailable due to a back injury. Ben Stokes is fit for England and will be keen to make a statement as leader and player.

The hosts have already announced their playing XI for the opening Ashes 2025-26 Test in Perth. Jake Weatherald and Brendan Doggett will be making their Test debuts, while Beau Webster has been left out, with Cameron Green available. Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland will lead the pace bowling attack in Cummins' absence, while veteran Nathan Lyon will shoulder the spin bowling duties.

As for England, apart from talismanic skipper Stokes, they would be depending on seasoned batter Joe Root to deliver the goods. Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, Jofra Archer and Mark Wood are some of the other key members of the squad.

There have been a total of 73 Ashes series contested so far, with Australia winning 34 and England 32, while seven series have been drawn. When England visited Australia in 2021-22, the Aussies thumped them 4-0. Stokes and co. will thus have a point to prove in the latest Ashes series.

Ashes 2025-26 schedule with venues and IST timings

The upcoming Australia vs England Test series will begin with the first match in Perth from November 21 to November 25. The subsequent matches will be played in Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne (Boxing Day Test) and Sydney (New Year Test). Below is the full schedule for Ashes 2025-26.

November 21-November 25: 1st Test, Perth Stadium, Perth (7:50 AM)

December 4-December 8: 2nd Test, The Gabba, Brisbane (9:30 AM)

December 17-December 21: 3rd Test, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (5:30 AM)

December 26-December 30: 4th Test, MCG, Melbourne (5:30 AM)

January 4-January 8: 5th Test, SCG, Sydney (5:30 AM)

Ashes 2025-26: Live telecast and live streaming details

In India, the live telecast of Ashes 2025-26, to be played between Australia and England, will be available on Star Sports network channels. Similarly, the live streaming of the series can be followed on the JioHotstar app and the website. The live telecast of the first Test in Perth will begin at 7:50 AM IST.

Ashes 2025-26 squads

Hosts Australia will miss a couple of their big names in the Ashes opener in Perth. As mentioned earlier, skipper Cummins will be unavailable for the game as he continues his recovery from a stress injury in his back. Fellow pacer Josh Hazlewood was also ruled out after scans confirmed a hamstring strain.

Below are the Australia and England squads for Ashes 2025-26

Australia squad (for 1st Test): Usman Khawaja, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith (c), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (w), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Brendan Doggett, Scott Boland, Josh Inglis, Michael Neser, Beau Webster

Australia playing XI for 1st Test: Usman Khawaja, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (c), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Brendan Doggett, Scott Boland

England squad: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (w), Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Brydon Carse, Jacob Bethell, Shoaib Bashir, Josh Tongue, Matthew Potts, Will Jacks