The Hampshire fast bowler, who featured for the Manchester Originals during The Hundred 2025, Sonny Baker, will make his international debut for the opening ODI game of the three-match series against South Africa at Headingley. The 22-year-old, who is capable of consistently bowling at 90 mph, has picked up 19 wickets so far in 11 List-A games. 

He will be joined in the pace attack by Jofra Archer ater a smooth The Hundred event, who would be playing his first 50-over game since the Champions Trophy 2025, and Brydon Carse. Harry Brook will be leading the side in his second successive series, as Jamie Smith and Ben Duckett will continue to show their dominance in the opening position of the side.

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“We've seen him bowl at some of the best batters in the world, and he had them on toast, so it's been really good to see. He bowls at a high pace, and he can swing it both ways with exceptional death skills as well. To have him in the team and for him to be opening up tomorrow is awesome.” Brook expressed during an interaction.

England name playing XI for opening ODI against South Africa

Just hours after England released a press statement of Jamie Overton deciding to take an indefinite break from the longest format, Brook feels that Baker has all the potential to bring himself into the equation for the upcoming Ashes 2025/26 against Australia down under.

“There have been a few moments. The spells he bowled to Williamson and Warner and then Smith and Bairstow, all four are world-class batters in the shorter format, and he was all over them. He bowled with high pace and high skill. He was awesome to watch this year, and everyone was talking about him.” Brook addressed.

“I don't select the red-ball side, but yeah, he's obviously done really well this summer, and we'll see how he goes tomorrow. He's bowling at high pace with a lot of skill, and it looks like he has quite a lot about him as well.” The England ODI captain revealed.

England’s playing XI for the first ODI vs South Africa

Jamie Smith, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook (captain), Jos Buttler (wk..), Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, and Sonny Baker.

Since the end of the England-India five-match Test series, the craze and excitement for the upcoming five-match red-ball series in the Ashes 2025/26 is getting bigger day by day. The former opening batter and the head coach, Justin Langer, has advised the visitors to continue their aggressive approach to end the drought of winning red-ball series down under.

England has won just one Ashes series in Australia since 1987 and hasn’t won a single five-day clash in the last three trips there. Langer feels that the Ben Stokes-led side, which struggled against the Aussies' bowlers, would need to take on the bowling attack when the opening encounter begins on November 21 at the Optus Stadium in Perth.

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“Call it Bazball or the aggressive approach, but I think England must play that approach in Australia. No question, because it'll put pressure back on. The only players who had success against Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath were those who attacked them. They got back in their face, and they hated it because no one did it.” Langer expressed during the BBC Sounds’ cricket podcast.

Justin Langer provides suggestions to England for Ashes 2025/26

England changed their aggressive approach in the last couple of years, which they continued during the Ashes 2023 in the United Kingdom. That time the series ended at a 2-2 margin. This series would be an acid test for various players as it could be the end of their careers in the longest format.

“It's going to take courage because you have got Mitchell Starc bowling like he does, Josh Hazlewood never misses the spot, and Pat Cummins is a generational bowler. So it's going to take great courage. It's going to be a really, really close series.” Langer shed light during the podcast.

“My question for England will be, have you got the killer instinct to finish off a series if you get a chance? We've seen it, the two-all here in the last Ashes series, two-all against India. England had the chances to win that series. Do you have the killer instinct to win the Ashes in Australia? That's going to be the big question.” The former coach reckoned.

England selectors have added Heather Knight for the upcoming Women’s World Cup 2025 in India in late autumn, anticipating the veteran player to get fit in the next three weeks. The former captain hasn’t played since injuring her hamstring against the West Indies, but is expected to get better in a few weeks.

Danni Wayatt-Hodge will also strengthen their batting order after the selectors overlooked her for the home summer, with her last ODI appearance taking place on the Ashes tour of Australia. The selection committee, going with four spinners, means that their pacer Kate Cross had to miss out on the 15-member squad of the Women's ODI World Cup 2025, as Sophie Ecclestone will lead the spin bowling department.

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The off-spinner, Charlie Dean, and leg spinner Sarah Glenn are also making a return post the West Indies series. England’s seam attack consists of Lauren Bell, Lauren Filer, and Em Arlott, who made her international debut three months ago. Nat Sciver-Brunt, hoping to get back in bowling, can balance the squad with her all-round skills during the World Cup tournament.

Heather Knight returns for England in ICC Women’s World Cup 2025

The World Cup 2025 will run from September 30 to November 02 and will be the first ICC event after head coach Charlotte Edwards and captain Nat Scriver-Brunt took charge. Their head coach felt that even though the competition would pose a huge challenge, they would remain hopeful of competing.

“Conditions mean we have gone for the extra spinner, and we're lucky to be able to have such depth in this department. It's fantastic to welcome Sarah Glenn back. That does mean there's no room for Kate Cross, Maia Bouchier, or Alice Davidson-Richards, which will be disappointing for them.” Edward expressed.

“It's also great to have Danni back in the squad, she's been in good form in domestic cricket and she'll bring dynamism and depth to our batting, alongside Heather, who we are delighted to be able to select. She'll be a huge asset for us.” The England head coach addressed.

England’s squad for Women’s ODI World Cup 2025

Em Arlott, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Emma Lamb, Nat Sciver-Brunt (captain), Linsey Smith, Danni Wyatt-Hodge

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed their white-ball trip to Sri Lanka in the lead-up to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka. The tour will consist of three 50-over clashes and as many T20Is from January 22, as the aim for the two-time champions will be to prepare their best to earn their third title.

England won their first two trophies of the event in 2009 and 2022, as most of their players will look to earn the best experience on the subcontinental conditions. The series will mark the Harry Brook-led side’s first-white-ball trip in more than seven years, with the last visit coming in 2018 when they clinched the ODI series by 3-1 and won the lone T20I.

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The last fixture between these two sides during the shortest format came during the victorious 2022 T20 World Cup event, where they beat Sri Lanka by four wickets in their group-stage clash. The Asian team’s upcoming T20I series comes against Zimbabwe away from home in September.

England to tour Sri Lanka for white-ball series in January 2026

The new white-ball captain of the Three Lions, Harry Brook, has shed light on his appointment to the position: “I am looking forward to getting started, moving us forward, and working towards winning series, World Cups, and major events for the future. England will also end their ongoing home summer with a white-ball series during the second week of September in Cardiff.

It's a hard reality for the players. The first ODI of the Sri Lanka trip starts just a couple of weeks after the scheduled fifth day of the fifth Ashes 2025/26 Test in Sydney. Most of their players will be drained after seven weeks of red-ball fixtures down under.

That could give some chances to the new players to get settled comfortably. However, most of the top World Cup players are expected to arrive in Sri Lanka for the three T20Is as preparation.

England’s white-ball series to Sri Lanka in 2026

The former captain of the Australian side, Steve Smith, has shown his excitement for the upcoming five-match Test series against England in the Ashes 2025/26 during the home summer. The veteran reckoned that it would be great fun for both sets of players to show their skills and determination before the hostile crowd. 

England haven’t won a single Ashes Test in their last three trips since winning the urn back in 2011. They were whitewashed in the 2013/14 series. England recently drew their home red-ball series against India, despite being 2-1 up after the third fixture at Lord’s, which they won.

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“I watched a lot of the series against India, and I felt that was the best Test series for a long time, with the cricket played by both teams. So, I think England is a very good side at the moment.” Steve Smith expressed during a recent interview on Sky Sports Cricket.

Watch: Steve Smith throws England new challenge before Ashes 2025/26

Smith has smashed 3417 Test runs in 66 innings against England at an average of 56.02 and a strike rate of 54.75 with the help of 12 centuries and 13 half-centuries at the best score of 239 runs. At home, he has notched up 5015 runs in 100 innings at an average of nearly 60, scoring 19 fifties and 18 centuries.

"Coming down to Australia, particularly for their batters is going to be a big challenge" 🏏

Steve Smith looks ahead to this winter's Ashes 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/Ut9dvQj0y3

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) August 15, 2025

“They play a very aggressive brand of cricket, and coming down to Australia, particularly for the batters, the wickets, in the last three or four years, have been tricky. We have, obviously, got a very experienced bowling line-up who have played for a long time. They have been incredibly successful.” The New South Wales batter shed light during the same interview.  

“So, I am excited for the summer. Hopefully, it will be a great series. I know, the last Ashes was during Covid. So, the Barmy Army couldn’t come. But this atmosphere will be different. We love to play in front of a big and hostile crowd. So, it will be really good fun.” Steve Smith concluded that Australia looks to retain the Ashes with another drawn and won series.

A few days ago, the former Australian opening batter, David Warner, went after Joe Root, the second leading red-ball run-getter in the history after Sachin Tendulkar, as the latter is yet to score a Test century down under in the Ashes. That remains the only place where Root hasn’t scored a Test century despite playing more than five red-ball encounters.

Warner, at the start of The Hundred 2025 for the London Spirits, claimed that Joe Root would have to take the surfboard off his front foot, which is a perception of how often he gets trapped leg before the stumps against Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins.

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“I can't have any control or say on how people see the game or talk in an interview. It is irrelevant. What more can I do about it? Just keep my surfboard out of the way and make sure it is not a talking point in 100 days. I guess it is all part of the fun, right? We will see what happens, but it is not really in my nature to get too verbal.” Root expressed during the recent interview.

Joe Root responds to David Warner’s surfboard comment before Ashes 2025/26

Root and Warner will meet each other during the derby at Lord’s when the Trent Rockets meet the Spirits. The former has smashed nine half-centuries at an average of 35.68, which is well below his career average of 51.29 as he grabbed 537 runs in the five Tests against India this home summer.

“Having played in Australia a couple of times before, now going with 150-odd Test caps under my belt, I feel I couldn't be more ready for it. The thing that stands out for me is that I probably wanted it (a century) way too much the last couple of times. It took me away from what was important.” Joe Root addressed.

“I was captain, Covid [during the 2021-22 defeat], there was the Stokes incident, the time before that, the Jonny headbutt incident as well. This time, I want to just go and enjoy the tour for what it is. It is a beautiful country, it is a great place to go and play cricket.” The former England captain concluded.

Even though Joe Root has become the second leading run-getter in Test cricket with 13543 runs in 288 innings, he is yet to celebrate a red-ball century in Australia, and that has created issues among the fans to put him among the greats of the game. However, this year’s Ashes in the winter will provide him with a great chance to turn the tables. 

As of now, the right-handed batter has smashed 892 runs in Australia during 27 Test innings at an average of 35.68 and a strike rate of 44.27, with the help of nine half-centuries besides recording two ducks at the best score of 89 runs. This is not the record the veteran would love to end with in what could prove to be his last trip to Australia for the Ashes.

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“Having played in Australia a couple of times before, now going with 150-odd Test caps under my belt, I feel I couldn't be more ready for it. The thing that stands out for me is that I probably wanted it (a century) way too much the last couple of times. It took me away from what was important.” The 34-year-old shows concern.

Joe Root eager to score maiden Test century in Australia during Ashes 2025/26

Australia remains the only place where the former England captain is yet to register a Test century despite featuring in more than five Tests, apart from Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates, where the right-handed batter got no centuries in four and six innings, respectively. At home, he has an average of over 55 for 7329 runs in 147 innings, with 33 half-centuries and 24 centuries.

“There were a lot of distractions. I was captain, Covid (in 2021-22), there was the (Ben) Stokes incident the time before that, the Jonny (Bairstow) headbutt incident as well. This time, I want to just go and enjoy the tour for what it is. It is a beautiful country, it is a great place to go and play cricket.” Root addressed regarding the last two away Ashes.

The best average for Root in Australia during the five-day formats has come at the Sydney Cricket Ground with 165 runs in four innings, while the worst is at the WACA and Bellerive Oval. The opening Test of the trip will start from November 21 at the Optus Stadium in Perth before they move to the Gabba, Adelaide, MCG, and SCG.

The five-match Test series of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy (ATT) 2025 between England and India has broken several digital platforms in viewership on JioHotstar. Over 170 million viewers tuned in to enjoy the seven-week event, making it the most-watched red-ball series on any digital platform.

The reports have also claimed that the fifth and final day of the fifth Test between the two sides at the Kennington Oval in South London saw it hitting a peak of 13 million concurrent views, while the entire series bagged 65 billion minutes of watch time. This just shows the growth of Test cricket between two equal sides as India marked their entry in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 for the very first time to start a new cycle.

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“The extraordinary response to India's tour of England reinforced Test cricket's ability to forge compelling narratives in almost every session of every match. Reaching over 170 million viewers and setting new concurrency records is a testament not just to the thrilling cricket, but also to our commitment to delivering an immersive storytelling and viewing experience.” Siddarth Sharma, the head of Content-Sports, JioHotstar, expressed.

Viewership records created during England vs India 2025 Test series

The five-match Test series is now the most-viewed red-ball series on digital platforms, while the fifth Kennington Oval Test was the most-watched red-ball clash on digital platforms. On the fifth day of the encounter, it displayed the highest peak concurrency on digital for a five-day game.

The opening clash of the series at Leeds in Headingley saw the home side taking a 1-0 lead as they chased 373 runs with five wickets in hand in the fourth innings, despite the Indian team putting several individual centuries on the board in the first innings. The tourists made a strong comeback of a 336-run victory at Edgbaston before the home side got their lead back at Lord’s by 22 runs.

The fourth Test of the series at Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester was drawn after the visitors showed an incredible batting performance with several centuries, especially the two knocks from Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar. In the fifth Test, it was Mohammed Siraj who bailed them out of trouble to end the series at 2-2.

Michael Vaughan, the former England captain, remains active on social media most of the time. He always shares his views on different aspects of the game, as he did during the recently concluded five-match Test series between England and India, as the tourists drew the series at 2-2 after gaining a victory during the fifth and final game at Kennington Oval.

The former Ashes-winning captain has shared a video from the ‘Gems of cricket’ where he mocked his running between the wickets, commenting, ‘quicker between the wickets than I was.’ Just like several batters in the game, Vaughan struggles to find pace in between the wickets and has been dismissed in many instances.

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The viral video shows that in a mountain, a few lads were playing a game in the mud. As the bowler bowls the ball, the striker nails it and skids through the mountain to come at the bottom. On the other hand, the non-striker makes it hard to climb up the mountain, using a lot of energy.

Watch: Michael Vaughan reposts viral video to mock his running between the wickets

Vaughan finished his career with 5719 runs in 147 Test innings at an average of over 41 and a strike rate of 51.13, thanks to 18 centuries and 18 half-centuries at the best score of 197 runs. In the 50-over format, he scored 1982 runs in 83 innings at an average of 27.15 and a strike rate of 68.39 with 16 fifties at the best score of unbeaten 90 runs.

Quicker between the wickets than I was .. https://t.co/oGWKFjjGSc

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) August 11, 2025

Recently, on BBC Test Match Special, he questioned England’s approach in the chase at Oval, highlighting that they lost the clash under pressure, opting for several risky strokes instead of focusing on partnerships.

“You have to say that England did panic. The ball was swinging around, and they went for this high-risk attacking option. They just needed one partnership. They panicked in a way that they can with the way that they play. It’s not panic — it's just the way that they play. They play with a huge amount of aggression.” Michael Vaughan expressed on the BBC Test Match Special.

The former Australia fast bowler, Glenn McGrath, who is a six-time Ashes winner, has made a jaw-dropping prediction on the upcoming five-match Test series between the Arch rivals. He did so during the last series between these two teams in 2023, where the tourists retained the urn after drawing it on a 2-2 margin.

The Ben Stokes-led side, who recently drew another home red-ball series against India after the final fixture defeat at the Kennington Oval in South London, haven’t won an Ashes series since 2015, with two draws and two losses. They haven’t gained victory in an Ashes series down under since 2010-11. Many reckon that this could be the perfect time to change the record.

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“It's very rare for me to make a prediction, isn't it? And I can't make a different one - 5-0. I'm very confident with our team. When you've got Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon firing in their home conditions, it's going to be pretty tough. Plus, that track record England have had, it'd be interesting to see if they can win a Test.” Glenn McGrath expressed on BBC Radio 5 Live.

Glenn McGrath predicts 5-0 victory for Australia during Ashes 2025/26

The former pacer has concerns about the home side’s batting, especially the top three of Cameron Green, Marnus Labuschagne, and Usman Khawaja, none of whom are in good form, while questions have been raised on whether the selectors should consider Sam Konstas at the opening position. He also reckoned that the tourists would need to work on strengthening their bowling attack.

“This series will be a big one for Root. He’s never really done that well in Australia; he's not even got a 100 over there, so he'll be keen to get out there. He's in fine form. Brook's the one that I've enjoyed watching. He just goes out there, plays his game, and takes it on. The Australians will need to get on him pretty early.” The former New South Wales pacer added.

“I love seeing sportspeople go out there and play without fear. That's what Baz is looking to bring into this England team - play without fear. I'd like to see a bit more accountability and the mental side of the game, just them switched on a bit more. It's exciting.” Glenn McGrath concluded as he was in full admiration of England’s aggressive batting style.