The approaching Ashes 2025-26 contest, featuring the Australian and English squads, is now imminent, set to commence at Optus Stadium in Perth. This five-game Test series is slated from November 21, 2025, through January 8, 2026, unfolding across Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne (Boxing Day Test), and Sydney (New Year’s Test). The contest is sharpened by England’s Bazball approach and the early setbacks of Australia related to player injuries, where captain Pat Cummins and pacer Josh Hazlewood are out of the opening match. Former England fast-bowler Stuart Broad has shared his opinions which adds to the buildup. This series holds importance for England, aiming to break their prolonged stretch without a victory on Australian grounds.
Ashes 2025-26: Predictions by Stuart Broad for top scorer and leading wicket-taker
According to SEN Cricket, Broad’s predictions for the Ashes highlight an upcoming England batter and Australia’s established spin bowler, indicating the areas of competition. Broad is favoring Harry Brook for the most runs, and the player’s performance supports this outlook. Brook’s Test career average of over 57.55 has drawn comparisons to Sachin Tendulkar from Greg Chappell because of his stance and ability to score. While this is Brook’s first Test tour in Australia, his attacking play makes him a threat in the middle order and could be a factor in the series. Broad is selecting Nathan Lyon as the leading wicket-taker, acknowledging the Australian off-spinner’s significance and success on home pitches. Lyon is about to appear in his 140th Test and has claimed 268 of his 562 Test wickets in Australia and will be a key part of the bowling attack given that Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are absent.
England’s unfavorable history in the Ashes 2025-26 against Australia
The Ben Stokes-led England squad has confidence from the Bazball approach, but historically, securing an Ashes victory in Australia has proven difficult. England’s performance in Australia since 2000 has been disappointing; the team’s most recent Ashes series win Down Under occurred in 2010-11 led by Andrew Strauss, a 3-1 victory. Since then, England’s performance in Australia includes 13 losses and two draws in the last 15 Tests. Nasser Hussain pointed out that England has not been victorious in any of their last 15 Tests in Australia. The team hopes to perform as well as Strauss and two other England captains in the last 50 years by claiming the trophy in Australia.
