England’s two options to seize huge Ashes opportunity against vulnerable Australia
Are you ready to be hurt again? Another four-year cycle, another chance for England fans everywhere to get their hopes up ahead of what will – likely – be another 4-0 away Ashes defeat.
Why should this series be different? Why should England supporters, both avid and casual, bother tuning in when history is so certain that another failure beckons? As a reminder of the stats, England haven’t won a match, let alone a series, in Australia since 2011. Played 15, won zero, drawn two and lost 13 is their record in the last 15 years.
Cameron Ponsonby21 November 2025 04:50
Perth is hosting the first Test of the tour but, as usual, it’ll be a long trip for England with the series lasting into the New Year.
Here’s how the schedule for the whole series looks:
First Test, Optus Stadium in Perth: 21-25 November (UK start time: 2.20am GMT)
Second Test, Gabba in Brisbane: 4-8 December (4.30am)
Third Test, Adelaide Oval in Adelaide: 17-21 December (12am)
Fourth Test, MCG in Melbourne: 26-30 December (11.30pm, 25 December)
Fifth Test, SCG in Sydney: 4-8 January (11.30pm, 3 January)
Mike Jones21 November 2025 04:41
LUNCH – England 105-4 (Overs 23)
England bring up 100 with a crackerjack of a shot from Harry Brook! He steps to his left and smashes Starc up and away through the off-side for four.
Stokes plays his first meaningful shot for two down the ground, before leaving the final ball.
Overall, it’s definitely been Australia’s session. England going at just under five an over but four wickets have fallen, including ducks for Crawley and Root.
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
Kieran Jackson21 November 2025 04:25
A few singles around the place for Stokes, who gets off the mark, and Brook.
Four from the over. Perhaps one over left before lunch…
Kieran Jackson21 November 2025 04:19
A maiden for Starc up against Brook, who does go for one wild shot through the off-side to many groans in the crowd.
Fascinatingly, Green takes a wicket and is out of the attack! Nathan Lyon switches ends and will bowl to Ben Stokes…
Kieran Jackson21 November 2025 04:18
A maiden for Starc up against Brook, who does go for one wild shot through the off-side to many groans in the crowd.
Fascinatingly, Green takes a wicket and is out of the attack! Nathan Lyon switches ends and will bowl to Ben Stokes…
Kieran Jackson21 November 2025 04:17
A maiden for Starc up against Brook, who does go for one wild shot through the off-side to many groans in the crowd.
Fascinatingly, Green takes a wicket and is out of the attack! Nathan Lyon switches ends and will bowl to Ben Stokes…
Kieran Jackson21 November 2025 04:16
Starc is back into the attack.
Australia going in for the kill here just before lunch! Harry Brook will be on strike…
Kieran Jackson21 November 2025 04:10
WICKET! England 94-4 (Pope 46)
Ollie Pope departs for 46!
Cameron Green strikes with the final ball of the over! Pope is trapped lbw on his leg-stump.
Given out on-field, Pope reviews and does not get away with it – with umpires call on the leg-stump falling in Australia’s favour!
Bit of a commentator’s curse from me, as the Aussies strike back! In comes Ben Stokes…
(Getty Images)
Kieran Jackson21 November 2025 04:09
Ollie Pope has, by far, been England’s standout performer and he brings up a 50 partnership with Brook via a lovely shot down the ground for four. He then clips to the leg-side for three.
Now just four off a half-century is Pope. England recovering nicely here…
Kieran Jackson21 November 2025 04:06