The following is a preview with betting tips for both the 2025-26 Ashes Series and the First Test in Perth.
The 2025–26 Ashes series will run between 21 November 2025 and 8 January 2026. Australia are the holders of the Ashes, having won in 2021–22 and drawn in 2023.
The five-match series will form part of the 2025–2027 ICC World Test Championship. Australia currently lead that competition with a 3-0-0 record. England sit 6th out of 9th with a 2-1-2 series record.
2025-26 Ashes Schedule
The Test Match schedule is as follows. The figures in X-Y-Z format show Australia’s head-to-head Test record against England at each venue/location.
First Test – Optus Stadium, Perth
November 21-25
9-3-1 record (at the WACA)
Second Test (day/night) – The Gabba, Brisbane
December 4-8
15-5-4 record
Third Test – Adelaide Oval
December 17-21
19-5-9 record
Fourth Test – Melbourne Cricket Ground
December 26-30
25-7-19 record
Fifth Test – Sydney Cricket Ground
January 4-8
23-7-22 record
Recent Ashes Series Scores in Australia
It doesn’t make for pretty reading for England. Since winning the 2010/11 series, England have lost 13 and drawn 2 matches out of 15.
2021/22: Australia won 4-0
2017/18 Australia won 4-0
2013/14 Australia won 5-0
2010/11 England won 3-1
2006/07 Australia won 5-0
2002/03 Australia won 4-1
Since the end of World War II, England have won the Ashes in Australia just five times (1954-55, 1970-71, 1978-79, 1986-87 and 2010-11).
First Test in Australia
I was curious to see how England has fared in the first Test of each series in Australia.
2021: Australia won by 9 wickets (Brisbane)
2017: Australia won by 10 wickets (Brisbane)
2013: Australia won by 381 runs (Brisbane)
2010: match drawn (Brisbane)
2006: Australia won by 277 runs (Brisbane)
2002: Australia won by 384 runs (Brisbane)
Looking back further, England have not won the opening Test of an Ashes series in Australia since 1986.
Perth Tests
These matches were all played at the WACA rather than Optus Stadium.
Australia have won eight Ashes Tests in a row in Perth.
2021: no Test in Perth
2017 (3rd Test): Australia won by an innings and 41 runs
2013 (3rd Test): Australia won by 150 runs
2011 (3rd Test): Australia won by 267 runs
2006 (3rd Test): Australia won by 206 runs
2002 (3rd Test): Australia won by an innings and 48 runs
1998 (2nd Test): Australia won by 7 wickets
1994 (5th Test): Australia won by 329 runs
1991 (5th Test): Australia won by 9 wickets
1986 (2nd Test): match drawn
England’s sole victory in Perth was in 1978.
Australia Team News
Regular Test captain Pat Cummins is currently targeting a mid-series Ashes return from a back injury. Steve Smith will captain the side in Cummins’ absence. Fellow pace bowler Josh Hazlewood is also out due to a hamstring injury. Scott Boland and debutant Brendan Doggett are expected to play in the absences of Cummins and Hazlewood, while Michael Neser has been brought into the squad as cover.
In better injury news, all-rounder Cameron Green returns following a successful lower-back operation.
At the top of the order, Sam Konstas has been left out after a disappointing series in the Caribbean.
One thing Australia won’t be short of is experience. Cameron Green will possibly be the only player under 30 in the XI.
England Team News
Mark Wood reported hamstring tightness during a warm-up game, but he has since been passed fit for the series opener. This is big news given his introduction turned the tide after he was left out of the first two tests in the 2023 series.
Perth Weather Forecast
The Perth weather forecast at the time of writing is:
Friday: Mostly sunny. 16-27. No rain.
Saturday: Possible shower. 16-25. 0–1mm of rain.
Sunday: Shower or two. 15-22. 0–3mm of rain.
Monday: Partly cloudy. 14-21. 0–1mm of rain.
Tuesday: Partly cloudy. 12-23. No rain.
Overall, that weather forecast looks friendly for England, with no 30+ degree weather expected and only one day above 25.
First Test Preview
This will be the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium. Bellerive Oval in Hobart was used as the fifth venue in 2011/22 and prior to that the Perth Tests were played at the WACA.
Australia have won four of five Tests at Optus Stadium. The one match that they lost was against India in November last year. That was India’s second visit to the stadium. No foreign side has won their first ever Test at Optus Stadium. Looking at it another way, however, the team that batted first has won all five Tests at Optus Stadium. This might be a case where winning the toss is crucial.
The absences of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood will have given England a huge boost of confidence ahead of this Test match, but it’s hard to overlook the combination of England’s poor record in Perth and their poor record in the opening Test of an Ashes series in Australia. While England have brought good Test form into the series, their form outside England remains much weaker than their home form.
Ashes Series Preview
Josh Hazlewood’s return date is currently unknown while Pat Cummins is expected back for either the second or third Test. England will be keen to strike now while Australia are undermanned.
For England, this will be their first Ashes Series in Australia under the Bazball mindset of Kiwi head coach Brendon McCullum. They rallied from 0-2 down to almost win the 2023 series in England. Will they be able to carry that momentum into this series?
Another factor going into this series is age. Australia will likely field an XV with ten players north of 30, five of whom are 35 or older. They are vastly experienced, but are too many squad members past their prime?
Betting Tips
Compare match odds
Compare series odds
In the series futures market, 1.66 (Betfair) for Australia looks to be good value given the weight of history against England. At the time of writing, other prominent bookmakers are offering as low as 1.529 on this selection. The SCG has been a draw-heavy venue in recent years (6 of the last 11 Tests drawn), so for those who want to hedge against a 2-2 series score, I would recommend Australia to retain the Ashes at 1.40 (bet365).
In the first Test market, injuries to Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood muddle the waters, but I will side again with history and take Australia at 1.78 (Dabble). Other prominent bookmakers are offering as low as 1.70 for this selection at the time of writing.