As the visitors England have already lost the Ashes 2025-26, where the hosts Australia are leading the five-match series by 3-0 with two to go, England made two changes in the playing XI for the upcoming fourth Test, the Boxing Day Test  at Melbourne. 

England have completely failed in the Ashes 2025-26, while they had the expectation to produce one of their best performances on Australian soil. After losing the first two Tests by eight wickets each, they suffered an 82-run defeat in their last Test. Although they had some momentum on this tour, their indisciplined performances affected them hugely. 

It is time for some redemption despite already losing the series. While a 4-0 or 5-0 series status will make them really poor, England are desperate to find a better status by producing some quality performances in the last two Tests on the tour. 

The Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne is ready for the 2025 Boxing Day Test. While the match will begin on December 26, Boxing Day, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced the squad for the upcoming Melbourne Test on December 24.

England's change for Melbourne Test: Gus Atkinson replaced injured Jofra Archer

There are two changes for England for the upcoming Boxing Day Test, including one forced change. While Jofra Archer has been ruled out from remainder of the tour due to a left side strain, Gus Atkinson is set to replace Archer. Atkinson was dropped from the third Test at Adelaide due to mostly ineffective performances in the first two Tests of this tour. While he remained wicketless in the series opener at Perth, he got three wickets in the day/night pink-ball Test at Brisbane. 

See Also: ECB to investigate England team’s Noosa break ahead of 4th Ashes 2025/26 Test

England's change for Melbourne Test: Jacob Bethell replaced out of form Ollie Pope

Meanwhile, the 22-year-old Jacob Bethell is set to replace the no.3 batter Ollie Pope. In this tour, Pope's scores were 46, 33, 0, 26, 3, and 17 runs, respectively. 

The batting all-rounder Jacob Bethell has played four Tests, where he has scored 271 runs with an average of 38.71, including three half-centuries, and also picked up three wickets. During India's tour of England in 2025, Bethell featured in the last Test, which was his only Test this year before the forthcoming Boxing Day Test. 

England's playing XI for the Boxing Day Test in the Ashes 2025-26

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (Captain), Jamie Smith (wk), Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue. 

The Boxing Day Test is only a day away. This time at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Australia will host England for the 4th of the ongoing Ashes 2025-26 season on this very iconic day. Not only cricket fans but also fans of other sports are aware of the Boxing Day Test, a celebrated holiday that is on the 26th of December every year. 

Cricket connected with this day back in 1950, when Australia played a Test match against their archrival England at the iconic MCG. Back in old-school England, rich families used to give their servants Christmas presents in boxes. Somewhere along the way, cricket got added to the mix in the 1950 Ashes in Melbourne. 

The historic 1950 Australia vs. England Boxing Day Test took advantage of the public holiday, drawing large crowds and creating a festive atmosphere. Its success led to the tradition becoming a regular feature of Australia’s international cricket calendar. Over the decades, the Boxing Day Test has hosted many famous teams and legendary performances, earning a reputation as one of the most prestigious and eagerly anticipated Test matches in world cricket.

Read More: Watch: Rohit Sharma takes field in Mumbai vs Sikkim contest in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025/26

What is Box Day Test?

On December 26, multiple countries across the globe marked it as a holiday. For which, people love to gather in large numbers to watch their favorite game live from the ground. Along with cricket, on this particular day, other sports events also can be arranged because of a possible large attendance. For sports lovers, especially for the cricket lovers, this day is no less than a moment of carnival. 

The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Australia and SuperSport Park in Centurion, South Africa, are well-known venues for Boxing Day Tests. The MCG has been hosting Boxing Day Tests since 1950. It is one of the most iconic and largest cricket stadiums globally, with a capacity of over 100,000 spectators.

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 has suffered a major setback with several top England players set to miss the tournament. With the IPL and PSL clashing in the 2026 season, the dominance of the IPL has once again impacted player availability, and the England Cricket Board’s (ECB) strict workload policy has added further trouble for the PSL.

According to recent reports, England’s centrally contracted red-ball players will not receive No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) to play in PSL 11. The ECB has prioritised the County Championship and England’s home Test summer, which includes a three-match Test series against New Zealand in June 2026. While the IPL continues to remain an exception, players who skip or go unsold in the IPL are expected to rest rather than join other overseas leagues.

England players unavailable for PSL 2026

As per current ECB guidelines and contract structures, the following England players are unlikely to feature in PSL 11:

• Ben Stokes
• Harry Brook
• Mark Wood
• Jamie Smith
• Gus Atkinson
• Rehan Ahmed
• Saqib Mahmood
• Ollie Robinson
• Matthew Potts
• Brydon Carse
• Zak Crawley
• Joe Root (unlikely due to workload management)

Most of these players hold red-ball or multi-format central contracts, making them unavailable during the PSL window, which runs from March 26 to May 3, 2026.

ALSO SEE: Watch: Alex Carey dedicates maiden Ashes 2025/26 century to his late father in Adelaide

Why ECB has blocked PSL participation

The ECB has tightened its NOC policy to protect player fitness ahead of a busy international calendar. With the County Championship starting in April and international commitments immediately after, the board is unwilling to risk injuries or burnout. The IPL remains the only overseas league given special clearance due to its commercial agreements and fixed calendar slot.

Impact on PSL franchises

The absence of marquee England names significantly affects PSL franchises, especially with the league expanding to eight teams in 2026. Teams are now expected to shift focus towards:

• Unsold IPL players
• Australian and West Indies cricketers
• Emerging overseas talent

With growing competition from the IPL and limited access to England’s elite players, PSL 2026 faces a challenging road ahead as it works to retain global relevance and star appeal.

England captain Ben Stokes has urged his side to “show a bit of dog” as they prepare for a must-win third Ashes Test against Australia at the Adelaide Oval, with the five-match series hanging delicately in the balance. Trailing 0-2 after heavy defeats in Perth and Brisbane, England face a familiar yet daunting challenge, one that Stokes believes his team is mentally equipped to handle.

Drawing parallels with the 2023 Ashes in England, where his side bounced back from a similar deficit, Stokes insisted that the clarity of the task remains unchanged. “We’ve been in this position before,” he said on the eve of the Test. “Everyone knows what needs to happen. If anything, it makes things simpler and clearer.”

Rather than viewing the situation as pressure-filled, Stokes believes the deficit has sharpened England’s focus. He dismissed any suggestion that the players now owe him or the management a response for their backing, stressing trust over obligation. “These are the moments where the players you back are trusted to deliver,” he said. “I would never say you owe me. Go out, back yourself, and do what needs to be done.”

Watch the video:

If any team can do it, this team can.

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) December 16, 2025

Backing you to have a BIG week, JT! 👊🔥

Hear from Ben Stokes on our preparation, fight, belief, the Oval pitch and much more ahead of the 3rd Test 👇

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) December 16, 2025

ALSO SEE: 'I am forever grateful...' - Matheesha Pathirana pens down emotional goodbye post for CSK after joining KKR at IPL 2026 auction

Show a bit of dog Stokes challenges England ahead of Adelaide Test

Stokes pointed to England’s Lord’s Test win against India earlier this year as an example of how intensity and confrontation can spark a response. “That’s fight to me,” he explained. “Looking your opposition in the eye and showing a bit of dog gives you the best chance.”

England have made just one change for Adelaide, recalling Josh Tongue in place of Gus Atkinson, while sticking with Will Jacks as the spinning all-round option ahead of Shoaib Bashir. Despite questions around selection, Stokes made it clear that mindset matters more than personnel. 

“We’ve had proper, meaningful conversations,” he said. “All the talking is done now. What matters is what gets shown on the field.” With England winless in Australia for 15 years and the series on the line, Stokes’ message is clear: resilience, fight, and belief must now translate into performance.

English Test captain Ben Stokes has urged critics not to describe England’s series-opening performance in the ongoing Ashes as “arrogant”. England suffered an eight-wicket defeat to Australia in the first Test of the five-match series in Perth. Stokes stated that although the result was disappointing, England were “great” during certain phases of the match.

He added that he had no issue with people criticising the team’s execution but felt the label “arrogant” was unfair. Stokes emphasized that the team did not have the performance they wanted but played well in important moments during the Test.

"Look, you can call us rubbish, call us whatever you want. We didn't have the Test match that we wanted to. We were great in passages of that game, but I think 'arrogant' might be a little bit too far. But that's okay. We'll take the rough with the smooth. I'd rather words like 'rubbish', but 'arrogant', I'm not so sure about that," stated Stokes, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

Stokes Says Fans Are Disappointed but England Still Chasing Ashes Glory

Stokes acknowledged the disappointment that English fans must be feeling after the heavy defeat. However, he remained firm that the team’s primary goal remains unchanged to win the Ashes series. He reminded that it is a five-match contest and England still have four Tests left to turn things around.

See Also: Jasprit Bumrah to retire from Tests? Ravichandran Ashwin reveals shocking desire for veteran pacer

"We know that there'll be a lot of disappointed fans in England after that first defeat. But it's a five-game series, we've got four games to go, we've lost the first one - we're absolutely desperate to come home with that goal from before we even started the series, which is to win the Ashes," concluded Stokes. England posted 172 and 164 in the two innings, failing to capitalise on their 40-run first-innings lead. Australia cruised to victory thanks to a Travis Head century and a 10-wicket match haul from Mitchell Starc. England’s next challenge will be the pink-ball second Test starting December 4 in Brisbane.

Travis Head has a reputation for changing the tempo of a match within a handful of overs. But on a fiery Perth surface in the opening Test of the 2025-26 Ashes series, he unleashed arguably the most destructive knock of his career. Facing a tricky target of 205 after Australia were rattled by Ben Stokes’ spell earlier in the match, Head walked out to open and simply tore England apart.

The left-hander smashed 123 runs from just 83 balls, peppering the boundaries with 16 fours and four sixes, and turned what could have been a tense chase into a statement victory. Australia romped home by eight wickets inside two days, a rare instance of Ashes carnage finishing before the weekend truly began.

Along the way, Head not only thrilled the Perth crowd but also rewrote several chapters of cricket’s record books. Here are the five milestone achievements from his unforgettable century.

1 Second-fastest century in Ashes history

Head needed only 69 balls to reach his hundred, placing him among the absolute best in 147 years of Ashes rivalry. The only name ahead of him? The legendary Adam Gilchrist, who smashed a 57-ball hundred at the very same venue back in 2006.

Gilchrist ended unbeaten on 102 from 59 deliveries that day, a knock that still lives in Ashes folklore. Head’s innings now joins that elite stratosphere, highlighting the modern Australian approach of fearless, counterattacking cricket when the pressure is on.

2 Fastest fourth-innings hundred in Test cricket

Chasing in Test matches is a mental test, the scoreboard pressure, fielders around the bat, every mistake magnified. But Head made the fourth innings look like a Saturday afternoon net session.

He broke a 122-year-old record, surpassing Gilbert Jessop, whose 76-ball hundred at The Oval in 1902 had stood untouched for generations. Head’s strike-first intent turned a competitive chase into a sprint and left England with no time to react or reset their plans.

3 Joint-fastest Test hundred by an opening batter

Head’s attacking instincts have transformed him into a dynamic Test opener. With his 69-ball ton, he now shares the fastest century by a Test opener with another Australian power-hitter: David Warner - 69 balls vs India, Perth, 2012

Warner went big in that innings with 180. Head matched the speed and nearly matched the punch, proof that Perth continues to be a playground for Aussie stroke makers.

ALSO SEE: Taijul Islam breaks Shakib Al Hasan's all-time Test record for Bangladesh

4 Highest strike rate ever in a successful Test run chase

Head played like he was chasing a T20 total, not one set by arch-rivals England in the Ashes. His 123 off 83 balls came at a staggering 148.19 strike rate, now the all-time highest while successfully chasing in Tests.

He overtook England’s Jonny Bairstow, who set the previous record with a 147.82 strike rate while hunting down 299 against New Zealand in 2022. This was pure domination, England bowled short, full, wide, straight… but nothing slowed him down.

5 Joint third-fastest century by an Australian in Test cricket

Australia has produced some of the most aggressive batters in Test history - Gilchrist, Warner, Hayden… and now Head comfortably sits among those giants.

Fastest hundreds by Australians in Tests:

1. Adam Gilchrist - 57 balls (2006 vs England)
2. JM Gregory - 67 balls (1921 vs South Africa)
3. Travis Head - 69 balls (2025 vs England)
   David Warner - 69 balls (2012 vs India)

For Head to be tied on that list shows just how much of a game-breaker he has become.

A knock that defines a modern Ashes era

This innings wasn’t just about records, it was a statement:

• England had sniffed a famous win after Stokes’ fiery spell
• The pitch was lively and the match finely poised
• Head turned pressure into fireworks

In less than 29 overs, Australia sealed an eight-wicket win in a Test that lasted barely two days, a rarity in Ashes history.

The Travis Head effect

Head has made a habit of producing match-turning centuries at high tempo, his Ashes hundred at Brisbane in 2021 being another example. But this one felt definitive, a declaration that in this rivalry, Australia have a new tone-setter. If this is how the series has begun, England’s bowlers could be in for a long, or perhaps very short, few weeks.

England have kept their cards close to their chest ahead of the first Ashes Test in Perth, naming a 12-man squad that includes off-spinner Shoaib Bashir alongside a formidable pack of express quicks. With Mark Wood passed fit after hamstring soreness and bowling with serious heat in training, the visitors look increasingly likely to unleash an all-pace attack for the series opener starting Friday.

The final call rests between Bashir and seamer Brydon Carse, a decision heavily influenced by conditions at the traditionally quick and bouncy Perth Stadium. Pitch curator Isaac McDonald has promised plenty of pace and carry, aligning with England’s long-held plan to go all-seam. But with signs of dryness on the surface, Bashir remains firmly in the conversation.

Bashir’s Return and England’s Pace Gamble Shape Ashes Opener

Despite struggling in the lone warm-up match after returning from a broken finger, Bashir has earned England’s trust over the past year. The 22-year-old became the youngest English bowler to reach 50 Test wickets earlier this year and has been the team’s preferred spinner in red-ball cricket. His selection would mark the rare instance of an England player appearing in an Ashes Test without currently being attached to a county side.

However, the prospect of an attack featuring Wood, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Stokes, and Carse, all touching 90mph, has drawn comparisons to the fastest English outfits of the past, including the storied 2005 and 1970-71 touring groups. With only five players in the squad having Test experience in Australia, England believe their lack of “scarring” could be a hidden advantage.

ALSO SEE: Mushfiqur Rahim becomes first Bangladesh player to achieve this feat in Tests

Atkinson echoed that sentiment, saying the group’s freshness brings clarity rather than fear: “No scars. A huge opportunity to do something special.”

Australia, meanwhile, are set to debut opener Jake Weatherald and may hand a first Test cap to quick Brendan Doggett following injuries to Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. With both sides dealing with new faces and fresh dynamics, the opening Test promises a fiery start to what is already shaping as a blockbuster Ashes summer.

Squads

England 12-man squad for 1st Test:
Ben Stokes (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Mark Wood.

Australia squad (1st Test):
Steve Smith (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster.

The countdown has begun for one of cricket’s greatest rivalries as Australia and England gear up for The Ashes 2025–26, a five-match Test series running from 21 November 2025 to 8 January 2026. This edition brings a rare twist to tradition. For the first time since the 1982–83 series, the Ashes in Australia will not begin at The Gabba. Instead, the curtain-raiser will be played at Perth Stadium, while The Gabba hosts the second Test, a historic pink-ball day-night encounter, the first of its kind in Ashes history for the venue.

The Ashes has spanned more than 140 years, producing 73 memorable series so far. Australia lead the tally with 34 series wins, England have claimed 32, and seven have ended in a draw. Australia have held the urn since 2017, and despite entering as favourites once again, this series carries a sense of intrigue and unpredictability.

Where to Watch the Ashes 2025–26

Here’s a region-wise breakdown of platforms broadcasting and streaming the series:

India

TV: Sony Sports Network

Streaming: Sony LIV
Fans who prefer OTT streaming may also find coverage on Jio Hotstar depending on regional arrangements.

United Kingdom

TV: TNT Sports

Streaming: discovery+
The channel is also accessible via Sky, BT, and Virgin packages.

Australia

TV: Fox Cricket and Channel 9

Streaming: Kayo Sports, Foxtel, 9Now

United States

TV & Streaming: Willow TV

Pakistan

TV: PTV Sports

Streaming: Tamasha / Tapmad

Sub-Saharan Africa

TV: SuperSport

Streaming: SuperSport App

Full Schedule: Ashes 2025–26

Local Time Schedule

IST Schedule

Head-to-Head in Tests

ICC World Test Championship (2025–27) Standings

Australia Squad (Ashes 2025–26)

Steve Smith (Captain), Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster, Scott Boland.

England Squad (Ashes 2025–26)

Ben Stokes (Captain), Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue, Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse.

What to Expect This Series

Australia: Favourites but with Questions

Australia come in strong, backed by a destructive pace unit of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, and Scott Boland. However, doubts linger over:

• Pat Cummins’ fitness (he is ruled out of the opening Test)
• Their top-order’s consistency in recent home series.

England: Their Best Chance in 14 Years?

England’s last Ashes triumph in Australia came in 2010–11. Yet many believe this is their best shot since then.
Reasons include:

• A more complete pace attack
• Joe Root’s hunger for a first Test century on Australian soil
• The fearless “Bazball” approach

If Jofra Archer stays fit, his pace could tilt the series.

Key Players to Watch

Australia

• Steve Smith: Still their most reliable Test batter.
• Marnus Labuschagne: Crucial at No. 3.
• Starc & Hazlewood: The two who can swing momentum in sessions.

England

• Joe Root: The pillar of England’s batting.
• Jofra Archer: Potential series-defining weapon.
• Harry Brook: Vice-captain with a modern, attacking style.

Tips for a Smooth Ashes Viewing Experience

• Subscribe to your preferred broadcaster before the series begins.
• Use a stable, high-speed internet connection (10 Mbps+ recommended).
• Keep apps updated for the best streaming quality.
• Check time zones, Australian Tests start early for many regions.
• Use a legal VPN only where geo-blocking applies.

England captain Ben Stokes delivered an outstanding performance on Day 1 of the tour match at Lilac Hill Park in Perth, ahead of the upcoming 2025-26 Ashes. Leading the England XI against the England Lions, he picked up six wickets for 52 runs in 16 overs.

Despite his strong spell, the England Lions still managed to score 382 runs in almost 80 overs before the end of the day’s play. His early wickets set the tone, yet the Lions’ batting lineup fought back to compile a strong score.

Stokes dismantled the batting order with three separate two-wicket bursts. He removed Tom Haines and Jacob Bethell early on, then struck again to dismiss Jordan Cox and Rehan Ahmed, tightening England XI’s grip on the game.

Stokes’ Rhythm Ahead of Ashes First Test 

Ben Stokes added another double-strike late in the innings, removing Tom Lawes and Will Jacks as England Lions collapsed from 310-5 to 322-8 within five overs. His superb figures of 6-52 played a key role in bowling out the Lions for 382, showcasing his dominant form ahead of the Ashes.

Watch the video here

Ben stokes picks up a 5W haul against Eng Lions in their warm up game before Ashes pic.twitter.com/qWMNi6nmlS

— cricmawa (@cricmawa) November 13, 2025

See Also: Shardul Thakur to join Mumbai Indians in all-cash trade deal for IPL 2026

Stokes appears to be in excellent rhythm, having bowled 140 overs across four home Tests against India earlier this year, where he picked up 17 wickets and scored 304 runs at an average of 43.42. This six-wicket haul is a strong warning to Australia ahead of the 2025-26 Ashes. England, under Stokes' captaincy, take on Australia in the first Test at the Optus Stadium in Perth starting November 21.

The England captain, Ben Stokes, has arrived in Australia in advance of the much-anticipated Ashes Test series of 2025-26. A photo of the star all-rounder taken outside the airport has already made headlines across Australian newspapers as both teams prepare for what promises to be another thrilling cricketing contest between two fierce rivals.

For Australia, the mind games appear to have already begun. While former cricketers such as David Warner and Glenn McGrath have made bold predictions about the series, one local daily has gone a step further, taking a mocking swipe at the visiting England skipper.

The Australian newspaper The West Australian labeled Ben Stokes as “England’s Cocky Captain Complainer” on the front page of its latest edition. The article also reminded readers of 'crease-gate' from the 2023 Ashes in England, where Jonny Bairstow was stumped by Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey, causing much rage among English fans and players.

Australian Media Takes Aim at Stokes and ‘BazBall’

Referring to Stokes’ arrival, The West Australian ran a sharp headline that read: “England’s Cocky Captain Complainer, still smarting from crease-gate, lands in Perth early thinking dopey ‘BazBall’ can take the Ashes.” The remark is seen as part of the traditional pre-Ashes banter that often heats up before the contest officially begins.

See Also: BCB strongly denies physical abuse allegations against Nigar Sultana Joty

This isn’t the first time the Australian press has taken jabs at England ahead of an Ashes series. Back in 2013, the Brisbane Courier Mail refused to mention Stuart Broad’s name, calling him “the 27-year-old medium pacer” after he didn’t walk following an edge.

The 2025-26 Ashes series is scheduled to commence on November 21 at the Optus Stadium, Perth and will signify the next chapter of cricket’s oldest rivalry. It will also contribute toward the 2025-27 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, adding extra significance to the Australia-England battle.