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.

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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.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has shared the revised list of Central Contracts for England Men's International Cricket for the 2025-26 season. A total of 30 players will be provided contracts, 14 two-year central contracts, 12 annual central contracts, and four development contracts. The new contracts will support greater stability for players while also recognizing their performance levels and managing players across formats.

Among the list, Sonny Baker, Liam Dawson, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton, and Luke Wood have received England Central Contracts for the first time. Meanwhile, Eddie Jack, Tom Lawes, and Mitchell Stanley have signed England Development Contracts for the first time, joining Josh Hull, who continues in the same category.

The ECB stated that the Central Contract system covers both red-ball and white-ball cricket, factoring in each player’s likelihood of featuring for England across formats in the coming period, while also recognizing consistent performances over the past year.

Rob Key on the Updated Contract Structure

“This year’s central contract group reflects the depth and strength of talent we have across England Men’s cricket. We have awarded two-year deals to our multi-format players so we can manage their workloads responsibly and give them the stability they need to perform across formats,” said Rob Key, Managing Director of England Men’s Cricket, as quoted by the ECB.

He further added, “We have also secured a number of white-ball players on longer agreements to help us plan effectively around the growing franchise calendar and ensure England remains their priority. This structure allows us to support our players properly while maintaining strong squads across all formats as much as possible.”

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England Two-Year Central Contracts (30 September 2027)

Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Ben Stokes, Josh Tongue

England One-Year Central Contracts (30 September 2026)

Rehan Ahmed, Sonny Baker*, Shoaib Bashir, Zak Crawley, Liam Dawson*, Saqib Mahmood*, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Phil Salt, Mark Wood, Luke Wood

England Development Contracts

Josh Hull, Eddie Jack, Tom Lawes, Mitchell Stanley

The T20 format will be the new focus of international cricket, with two top teams colliding for a 3-match T20I series. Starting on Saturday, New Zealand will be hosting England in a 3-match T20I and ODI series. The first T20I match between NZ and ENG is scheduled for Saturday at the Hagley Oval cricket stadium.

New Zealand recently hosted Australia in a three-match T20I series. They lost the series by 0-2, and this series loss will impact the team morale while playing against England. England is heading to New Zealand after winning the T20I series against Ireland. They will be expected to continue the momentum against the Kiwis.

Also Read: NZ vs ENG Dream11 Prediction 1st T20I match Fantasy Cricket Tips, Probable Playing XI

NZ vs ENG Match Details

• Match: New Zealand vs England, 1st T20I

• Date: 18th October 2025

• Time: 11:45 AM IST

• Venue: Hagley Oval, Christchurch 

• Live Streaming: FanCode

NZ vs ENG Weather Report

NZ vs ENG Pitch Report

The surface here will be good for batting with very short boundaries on either side. We can expect a high-scoring fixture, and both teams will prefer chasing.

Top Batters to Watch – NZ vs ENG

• Jos Buttler (ENG): 3836 runs in T20I 

• Tim Seifert (NZ): 1788 runs in T20I 

• Phil Salt (ENG): 1452 runs in T20I 

Top Bowlers to Watch – NZ vs ENG

• Adil Rashid (ENG): 141 wickets in T20I

• Mitchell Satner (NZ): 124 wickets in T20I 

• Matt Henry (NZ): 39 wickets in T20I 

NZ vs ENG Recent Form

NZ vs ENG Today Match Prediction Scenarios

Scenario 1: If NZ Bat First

• Powerplay Score: 50–55

• Predicted Total: 160–175

• Match Result: ENG to win

Scenario 2: If ENG Bat First

• Powerplay Score: 55–65

• Predicted Total: 180–200

• Match Result: ENG to win

Who Will Hit the Most Sixes?

Who Will Hit the Most Fours?

NZ vs ENG Predicted Playing XIs

England 

Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (c), Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Jordan Cox, Brydon Carse, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid, Luke Wood.

New Zealand 

Tim Robinson, Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway (wk), Daryl Mitchell, Tim Seifert, Mitchell Santner (c), James Neesham, Michael Bracewell, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy.

NZ vs ENG Complete Squads

England Squad

Harry Brook (c), Zak Crawley, Jacob Bethell, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Sam Curran, Rehan Ahmed, Tom Banton (wk), Jordan Cox (wk), Philip Salt (wk), Jos Buttler (wk), Sonny Baker, Luke Wood, Adil Rashid, Brydon Carse.

New Zealand Squad

Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Robinson, Tim Seifert.

NZ vs ENG Today Match Prediction – Who Will Win Today?

We predict that England will win the 1st T20I match. The likes of Phil Salt, Jos Buttler and Adil Rashid will be key players to watch out for.

NZ vs ENG Match FAQs

Q1. Where can I watch the NZ vs ENG live match?

You can watch the live streaming on the FanCode app and website.

Q2. Who will win today’s NZ vs ENG T20I match?

According to our today match prediction, England are favourites to win this encounter.

Q3. What is the head-to-head record between New Zealand and England in T20Is?

England holds the upper hand in T20I head-to-head meetings against New Zealand 

England have named their playing XI for the first T20I against New Zealand, which will be played in Christchurch on Saturday, October 18. The team was announced two days before the match. Harry Brook will return as captain after missing the Ireland tour. Most of the squad is the same as the one that played against South Africa in Manchester last month, with just a few changes.

Jordan Cox, who scored his first T20I fifty against Ireland, keeps his place at No. 7. Brydon Carse comes into the side in place of Jofra Archer. Cox replaces Will Jacks, who is being rested as England manage his workload ahead of the Ashes. Both Cox and Sam Curran impressed during *The Hundred* for the Oval Invincibles, which helped them earn their spots in the team. Cox, who was named Player of the Tournament and hit a quick 35-ball 55 against Ireland, will continue as a middle-order batter.

Back in action on Saturday ⏳

Our XI for the first IT20 against @BLACKCAPS 💪 pic.twitter.com/pAqOKorsOV

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) October 16, 2025

Curran will play a flexible role in the batting order alongside Tom Banton. Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson will handle the spin duties, with Jacob Bethell as an extra option. The pace attack will be led by Curran, Carse, and Luke Wood.

England will play three T20Is against New Zealand the first two in Christchurch on October 18 and 20, followed by the final game in Auckland on October 23. The two sides will then meet again for a three-match ODI series on October 26, 29, and November 1.

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Veteran Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell recently unveiled his combined Australia-India-England ODI XI, sparking interest among cricket fans worldwide. The 37-year-old shared his selections in a video released by Fox Cricket on their official YouTube channel on Tuesday, October 14.

The announcement comes just days before India’s highly anticipated white-ball tour of Australia, which promises exciting contests between the world’s top teams. Maxwell’s picks reflect his understanding of the modern ODI format and the standout players who have dominated in recent years.

India’s tour of Australia begins on October 19 with a three-match ODI series, followed by five T20 internationals. The series will serve as a key build-up for both sides ahead of next year’s major ICC tournaments.

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Glenn Maxwell’s Combined ODI XI Features India-Australia Stars, Excludes England Players:

For the opening pair, Glenn Maxwell had to choose between Rohit Sharma, Sachin Tendulkar, David Warner, Jonny Bairstow, and Mark Waugh. Without hesitation, he picked the iconic Indian duo — Rohit and Sachin — to open his dream ODI lineup.

When it came to the middle order, Maxwell had another tough choice among Virat Kohli, Joe Root, Ricky Ponting, Eoin Morgan, Michael Clarke, and Michael Bevan. He selected Kohli at the crucial No. 3 position, followed by Australia’s legendary captain Ricky Ponting and consistent finisher Michael Bevan, forming a strong and balanced middle order.

For the all-rounder position, Glenn Maxwell chose Shane Watson, preferring him over notable names like Yuvraj Singh, Kapil Dev, Andrew Symonds, Mark Waugh, Andrew Flintoff, and Ben Stokes. In the wicket-keeping role, he went with former Indian captain MS Dhoni, picking him ahead of legendary options such as Adam Gilchrist and England’s Jos Buttler.

In the bowling section, Glenn Maxwell had an impressive list of options to choose from, including Javagal Srinath, Anil Kumble, Jasprit Bumrah, Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee, Shane Warne, Adam Zampa, Darren Gough, and James Anderson. The selection featured some of the finest pacers and spinners from India, Australia, and England’s cricketing history.

At No. 8, Glenn Maxwell selected former Australian speedster Brett Lee, known for his fiery pace and 380 ODI wickets. He chose Anil Kumble as his lead spinner and added India’s ace fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, widely regarded as one of the best across formats, at No. 10.

To complete his lineup, Maxwell included the legendary Glenn McGrath at No. 11, emphasizing his consistency and control. Interestingly, his combined Australia-India-England ODI XI did not feature a single English cricketer, highlighting the dominance of Indian and Australian players in his all-time selection.

Glenn Maxwell Reveals His Ultimate Australia-India-England Combined ODI XI:

Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ricky Ponting, Brett Lee, Anil Kumble, Jasprit Bumrah, Michael Bevan, Shane Watson, MS Dhoni (WK), and Glenn McGrath

The Hong Kong Sixes 2025 will start from November 7 to 9. It’s a exciting sixes hitting cricket tournament, with each team playing six overs per match. In the last season in 2024, 12 international teams took part. They were split into four groups of three teams each, and every team played the other two teams in their group once. The top two teams from each group moved on to the quarter-finals, while the third-placed teams played in the Bowl league.

The two best teams from the Bowl league then played in the Bowl final. The winners of the quarter-finals went on to the semi-finals, and the semi-final winners played in the final. Teams that lost in the quarter-finals got another chance in the Plate semi-finals, with the winner moving on to the Plate final.

Hong Kong Sixes 2025: Tournament & Teams Details

England all-rounder Chris Woakes has announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing the curtain down on a decorated career that spanned more than a decade. The 36-year-old confirmed the news on Monday, September 29, just days after being overlooked for the Ashes squad in Australia.

Woakes, who made his international debut in 2011 during England’s limited-overs tour of Australia, went on to represent his country in 62 Tests, 122 ODIs and 33 T20Is. Along the way, he became a double World Cup winner lifting the ODI crown in 2019 and the T20 title in 2022, and was named Player of the Series in the 2023 home Ashes after inspiring England’s comeback against Australia.

Chris Woakes retires after 15 years as one of England’s most reliable all-rounders

“The moment has come, and I’ve decided that the time is right for me to retire from international cricket,” Woakes said in a heartfelt statement. “Playing for England was something I aspired to do since I was a kid dreaming in the back garden, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have lived out those dreams. Representing England, wearing the Three Lions and sharing the field with teammates over the last 15 years, many of whom have become lifelong friends, are things I’ll look back on with the greatest pride.”

A dependable new-ball bowler and more than useful batter, Woakes carved out a reputation as one of England’s most reliable all-rounders. He finishes his Test career with 192 wickets, including match-winning spells such as his 11 for 102 against Pakistan at Lord’s and six for 17 against Ireland at the same ground. With the bat, his unbeaten 137 against India at Lord’s in 2018 remains one of his most cherished moments in an England shirt.

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In one-day internationals, Woakes took 173 wickets, with his standout performance coming on debut when he bagged six for 45 against Australia in Brisbane. His calm presence under pressure also made him a vital part of England’s white-ball revival post-2015, culminating in their historic World Cup win at Lord’s in 2019.

His final international appearance came in the Oval Test against India, where he dislocated his shoulder but still returned to bat with his arm in a sling on the last day. It proved to be a fitting snapshot of his character gritty, selfless and willing to put the team first.

The England all-rounder will continue in county and franchise cricket

England Cricket Board chair Richard Thompson paid tribute, saying: “The images of Chris walking out to bat with his arm in a sling reflected how much he cared about playing for his country and being the best teammate he could be. He has been a gentleman off the field, with the skills and fierce determination to win on it, regularly rising to the occasion on the biggest stage with both bat and ball.”

While Woakes has stepped away from the international stage, he will continue to represent Warwickshire in county cricket and has already signed up with MI Emirates for the upcoming ILT20 season, keeping the door open for more franchise opportunities.

Reflecting on his journey, Woakes summed it up with humility: “Pleasure has all been mine, no regrets.”

Pleasure has been all mine. No regrets 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 pic.twitter.com/kzUKsnNehy

— Chris Woakes (@chriswoakes) September 29, 2025

England has officially announced its 16-player squad for the Ashes 2025-26 series against Australia later this year, captained by Ben Stokes and hoping to end a long wait as the first England side to win an Ashes series on Australian soil since 2010-11.

The squad features several familiar names but also a pair of surprises. Stokes, Mark Wood, and Shoaib Bashir are fit again after injury, bolstering the batting and bowling departments in particular. The biggest change is Harry Brook being named vice-captain ahead of Ollie Pope. Pope stepped in as skipper in place of Stokes during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy when Stokes was injured, but has not retained the deputy position. Instead, he is likely to fight Jacob Bethell for the significant No. 3 batting position.

England announce strong 16-member squad for Ashes 2025-26

Will Jacks, the unexpected addition to the squad, is regarded as a smart tactical option, possibly in the role that Liam Dawson filled against India when Bashir was unavailable. That said, it also raises the question of whether England will be selective about Bashir, given the specialist spinning role in Australian conditions. 

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In terms of bowling, England is loaded with pace bowlers. Mark Wood returns to offer real pace, and alongside him are Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse, Gus Atkinson, and Josh Tongue. This body of pace attack seems to have performed well in the series against India, but importantly, they will have to adapt to the pitches of Australia. Matthew Potts, also a member of the squad, offers England more options in seamers.

Batting remains sound with Joe Root, Zak Crawley, and Ben Duckett as the nucleus of the top order, with Jamie Smith also an option as a keeper and batsman. Furthermore, with Ben Stokes at the helm, England will certainly be seeking to turn history on its head and retain the urn.

England squad for Ashes 2025-26:

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

Last week, Jos Buttler celebrated his 35th birthday, which is significant because it makes him the experienced player in a youthful batting line-up for England. In Dublin, during the T20I series against Ireland, Buttler stood out as the only player in England’s top seven to be over 30 years old, alongside 21-year-olds Jacob Bethell, who is captaining for the first time, and Rehan Ahmed – the contrast could not have been larger.

Opening the Door to Success for England 

This inevitably begs the question that England may not want to answer: will next year’s T20 World Cup be Buttler’s last – seventh – T20 World Cup? So far, he shows no sign of slowing down and even if only Nicholas Pooran has more T20 worldwide runs than Buttler this calendar year, none of this mentions Buttler’s destructive play, as shown in his 30-ball-83 against South Africa, as well as absolutely obliterating Ireland’s Graham Hume in Malahide. Nevertheless, Buttler is exactly the same age that Eoin Morgan was when he walked away at the end of 2022.

For England, the issue is not when Buttler will leave, it is about how to capitalise on what he still has left. Recently, England's games have reiterated the importance about having Buttler at the very top of the order, alongside Phil Salt. After 12 months of experimentation of whether Buttler could bat at No. 3 across T20Is, the IPL, the Blast, and the Hundred, the fact he is back opening the batting again has been something of a 'revelation.' 

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"But going out at 0 for 0 you have had that full Powerplay," Buttler said. "That is fun! I am happy to bat anywhere but opening gives you that opportunity in the first six overs," and the stats support him. Buttler averages 53.58 in the Powerplay as an opener, striking at 155.31, and I can imagine there are not too many players in world cricket that can produce as much consistency and explosiveness as Buttler can.

Why England Must Support Their Successful Partnership

The partnership with Salt has also proven to be one of the strongest in T20. Their 126-run stand off just 47 balls against South Africa was followed up with 74 off 28 balls against Ireland, making them the first England openers to pass 1,000 runs as a pair. Salt puts it simply: "We feed off each other. I tried to start aggressively and then Jos comes in with his own style. The more we bat together, the easier it comes." 

Across 46 short-form innings together for England, Lancashire, and Manchester Originals, Buttler and Salt must be ranked as one of the most productive opening pairs in T20 history. For England, to keep them together feels like the obvious move. Duckett may go back to No. 3 and other batters, including Dawson and Foakes, would wait their time but the value of the relationship between Buttler and Salt surely weighs heavier than those other factors. 

Next year's World Cup will likely take England to India, where Buttler knows well from his decade in the IPL will probably be his swan-song tournament or not, and there could be and probably will be significant weight of expectation put on him. At 35 years old, he is still England's match-winner and they have to create as many opportunities as they can for him to cause damage.