Ashes 2025-26: Australia-England schedule revealed as Gabba not hosting series opener for first time in 40 years – Eurosport

by Admin
October 16, 2024

Cricket Australia have revealed both the dates and locations for the next Ashes series, which takes place at the back end of next year.

There is a new starting venue for the famous rivalry, with the Optus Stadium in Perth set to host the opening Test match.

The five-Test series then travels to Brisbane, which normally hosts the opener. The Gabba is an Australian stronghold – but will be playing host to a day-nighter this time around, which may well shake things up.

Adelaide hosts the third Test, before the traditional Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, with Sydney hosting the final match in the series in early January.

It is a mouth-watering series, with Ben Stokes trying to become the first England captain since Andrew Strauss to win the famous urn on Aussie soil.

With Brendan McCullum set to oversee the side, the duo have long been planning for this Ashes, with James Anderson’s retirement partly caused by the intention to give other quick bowlers plenty of Test experience before they head down under.

It will be a new-look England bowling unit that takes on Australia, with no Anderson and no Stuart Broad either.

Gus Atkinson, Matthew Potts and Brydon Carse will certainly have their work cut out, while England will be hoping the extreme pace and experience of Jofra Archer and Mark Woods will both be fit to travel.

Ben Stokes of England during Day Five of the LV= Insurance Ashes 5th Test Match between England and Australia at The Kia Oval

Image credit: Getty Images

England have long been preparing for this series, having not won the Ashes since 2015 when they beat Australia 3-2 on home soil.

But their recent record in Australia has not been strong – losing 4-0 in 2017-18 and by the same scoreline last time in 2021-22.

Two draws is the best England have to show from their last 15 Test matches on Australian soil, but with Stokes and McCullum at the helm, there are high hopes that next year’s tour might go in a different direction.