Ashes 2025-26: Australia and England Squads compared, who fares better?

With over 140 years of enriching history, Australia and England, again, go head to head against each other in an Ashes Series, commencing from 21^st November 2025 at the Optus Stadium, Perth. The five-test rubber runs until 8^th January 2026, with Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney as the other venues (in order) for the rest of the four games. The series holds humungous importance as ever, with stakes, pride, prestige, and bragging rights up for grabs, in addition to crucial World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 points. The Australian Summer has never been hotter. 

The Historical Context of ‘The Ashes’

The cricketing clash between the two proud nations is one of sports’ greatest rivalries, which began in 1882-83. During that season, Australia, captained by Billy Murdoch, defeated England on the latter’s soil, and then the English media voiced out their brutal opinions. A leading national daily, ‘The Sporting Times’, published an obituary, announcing the passing away of English Cricket in a condolence statement. Moreover, it stated that the ashes of the wooden bails, covering the stumps, will be transported to Australia post the funeral. That name stuck, and a subsequent English tour to Australia, led by Ivo Bligh, vowed to "regain the Ashes" and thus began the famous rivalry. The symbolic trophy, a small terracotta urn, was presented to the skipper after England won that series. It was brought back to Britain and is now housed at the Lord's Cricket Ground, London. Consequently, the series between the sides became popular as ‘The Ashes’. Since then, the biennial event’s miniature yet renowned trophy has been considered to be the same ash vessel, a replica of which is now awarded to the winners.

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The two arch-rivals have so far contested 340 test matches. The Aussies have triumphed on 140 instances, whereas the Englishmen have won on 108 occasions. Ninety-two games have ended in a draw. The series winners’ tally stands marginally in favour of Australia. The current hosts have won 34 trophies as compared to England’s 32. There have been seven drawn series as well, and on six of them, Australia have retained the urn. The men from Down Under have retained the trophy since the 2017-18 season. England last lifted the Ashes in 2015, at home, after emerging victorious 3-2. Further, it’s worth noting that it has been 15 years since England last won a test match in Australia. They had then defeated their rivals, away, in their den, by claiming the 2010-11 series 3-1.

The Australia and England Squads' Comparison for The Ashes 2025-26

Both the home side, Australia, and the touring party, England, come in with a balanced but formidable unit. The sets of players chosen in the mix make the squads cover all bases. While the Aussie men prefer to play the traditional brand of test cricket, on the contrary, their opponents, quintessentially, have been known for playing an attacking style in the red ball format of the game. Both groups are full of strokemakers and carry raw pace in their ranks as well. 

Top Order -

Australia:  Usman Khawaja, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green
England:  Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Jacob Bethell

The hosts enter the series with a string of doubts over their batting order. Sam Konstas has been overlooked, and the only thing that seems certain is the position of Usman Khawaja at the top. The latter is at the tail end of his career, and he might have a different opening partner in Jake Weatherald, come Perth. If handed a debut, Jake will be the sixth different batting partner to Khawaja since David Warner's retirement. Marnus Labuschagne is back in form, courtesy of some great returns in Sheffield Shield Cricket. With Cameron Green going full tilt again, he's expected to play the all-rounder role. 

England, on the other hand, come with a definite assurance. Their top order has been tried, tested, and looks sorted, having been given a great and consistent run since 2019. Their fearless approach to playing, synonymous with 'Bazball', has often laid the foundation of some impeccable victories. If the tourists are to have a great summer in Australia, the standout duo of Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley must click. The only worry that might persist would be the dwindling batting form of Ollie Pope as the series progresses. 

Middle Order -

Australia: Steven Smith, Travis Head
England: Joe Root, Harry Brook

The middle order is the backbone and lifeline of any test side, and this time it is no different. It comprises the engine room and would play the maximum role in deciding the series. Steve Smith, the stand-in skipper for the first test, and Joe Root are the epicentre players of their respective sides and the reliable glue between the top and lower order. Their batting prowess and experiences make them great, and the series would surely revolve around their performances. A test hundred in Australia has eluded Root, the current number one batter in the ICC rankings, ever since, and this might be his best chance to add that to his glorious repertoire. 

Harry Brook, ranked second in the ICC test list, is the modern-day sensation and has taken the cricketing world by storm. His almost negligible game time in Australia, hitherto, might give him a rough start initially. However, the English vice-captain is skilled magnificently and possesses all that it takes to succeed Down Under. Travis Head, similarly, loves to take the attack to the opposition, and England must not expect any mercy from him. 

All Rounders -

Australia: Cameron Green, Beau Webster
England: Ben Stokes, Will Jacks

The Aussie all-rounders seem bleak against the English leader, Ben Stokes, who is a cricket institution in himself. Batting, bowling or fielding, the latter is a literal workhorse and is second to none. His immaculate ability to keep going makes him tenacious and determined more than ever to win this Ashes series. He is also in great touch, having had an invaluable role to play in the Indian series during the UK summer. The only issue that might prick the visitors is Stokes' tryst with frequent breakdowns. England would wish for him to be at his fittest and go full throttle at their opponents. He is arguably the sport's greatest ever player. 

Beau Webster might have to make way for Cameron Green as the lone fast-bowling all-rounder in the playing eleven. Make no mistake, the former performed exceedingly well against India last summer and fulfilled Green's absence effectively. 

Wicket Keepers -

Australia: Alex Carey, Josh Inglis
England: Jamie Smith

Australia's incumbent wicket-keeper, Alex Carey, has consolidated his position with the gloves in hand perfectly. Having debuted in The Ashes 2021-22, he has grown in his duties behind the stumps and has made useful batting contributions with the tailenders. The Southpaw has braved the effects of time and has had an assured international career so far. 

England's Jamie Smith is one of the few prodigious cricketing talents making rounds. The Surrey player has had an impactful initiation to test cricket, both with the bat and while donning the gloves in his hands. His ability to go 'horses for courses' makes him versatile and mature beyond his young age. He might lick his lips seeing the bounce on the Aussie pitches. 

Fast Bowlers -

Australia: Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland, Brendan Doggett, Michael Neser, Sean Abbott
England: Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Brydon Carse, Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue, Matthew Potts

Both teams boast some heavy pace batteries, raring to go, and striking poles at above 90 miles an hour. The Aussie trio of Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood are a menace and a nightmare for any batting line-up. Playing together, they have amassed 466 wickets at an average of 24.50 in 38 test matches. However, Pat Cummins, the Aussie skipper, and Josh Hazlewood are recovering from their respective injuries and hence not expected to play any role in the first game. The players that would fill those gaps bring with them rich pace bowling talent. Scott Boland, among them, is England's nemesis, having bowled exceptionally well in the limited game time he has had for his national team. 

The English quicks lack playing time with the red ball on the Australian pitches, and otherwise as well. Most of them have been hit by frequent injury bugs over the years. Therefore, it would be interesting to see how they manage their workloads under gruelling conditions over a period of two months. If fit, they will unleash fire at the opposition batters and go neck and neck with their Aussie counterparts. Jofra Archer and Mark Wood can prove to be potent weapons for Ben Stokes. England, for the first time, possess an arsenal of bowlers that do not rely on traditional swing and seam bowling. They are now faster, fierier and lethal.  

Spinners -

Australia: Nathan Lyon 
England: Shoaib Bashir

The two spinners enter with a vast difference in experiences. Nathan Lyon has been plying himself for a long time now and has racked up 562 test wickets, yet. He is arguably one of the greatest off-spinners of all time and is never far away from wickets, besides providing a break to the pacers through his lengthy spells. He has had a massive say regardless of the conditions, and that makes him irreplaceable.

Shoaib Bhashir, on the contrary, is just in his second year of the longest format of the game. The English team management trusts him with the ball in his hands. His height to extract the bounce off the pitch, and the accuracy to hit the right lengths, could aid him in having fruitful returns for his side. 

The Conclusion

Experts say that this English side has all that it takes to succeed Down Under. As is evident, they possess similarities with the 2011-12 Ashes series-winning squad, and the players feel confident in their ranks to do so. Australia are never an easy force to reckon with anywhere, let alone in their backyard. However, they have been plagued with injuries of late, and a few uncertainties surround their batting form too. It will be crucial for both sides to set an early marker and lay the blueprint for the series progressing ahead.

Nevertheless, it would be a humdinger of a battle, with premium cricket on display, at some very aesthetic stadiums, among thousands of passionate fans of Australia and the Barmy Army. The buzz is real and at an all-time high. The former players have been raking up some mind games, and so are the current ones. The Aussie media has been at its bashing best and leaving no stone unturned in mocking the English group. The analysis and all the preparations are done. The predictions are already in. Expect fireworks under the scorching southern hemisphere sun. It will surely be a glorious couple of months of cricket. After all, the greatest rivalry in any sport is waiting to heavily treat the fans globally. It's almost time. 

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