The anticipation is already building for what promises to be one of the most hotly contested Ashes series in recent memory, as England and Australia gear up for their five-Test showdown set to begin on November 21, 2025. With the opening match slated for Perth and the grand finale scheduled for the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground on January 4, 2026, fans on both sides of the cricketing divide are bracing themselves for a fierce battle not just for the coveted urn, but for pride, redemption, and perhaps even a slice of history.
England, led by the charismatic Ben Stokes, have not tasted Ashes glory since 2015. In fact, their record in recent years has been far from flattering, with two defeats Down Under and two home draws in the last four series. Yet, despite Australia currently holding the urn and entering the series as favorites, there's a growing sense of optimism in the English camp—one that veteran commentator David Lloyd has stoked with a bold, even audacious, prediction.
"I hate predictions, I can't be doing with them. But I'm gonna turn into Glenn McGrath, it's going to be 5-0 England," Lloyd declared on SEN, channeling the bullish confidence once synonymous with the legendary Australian paceman. When pressed by Australian cricketing great Ian Healy on the source of his confidence, Lloyd didn't back down. He called England the better team and forecasted that Australia would suffer on home soil. "If you come up against a team better than you in their backyard, you will suffer. Our guys right now, there's a real sense that we can do something here. We've come over there and lost before. There is a real thought right now that England have a massive chance to win the Ashes in Australia."
Lloyd's comments have certainly set the tone for the pre-series narrative, but they aren't just idle bluster. He pointed to England's perceived edge in the bowling department and highlighted Australia's unsettled batting order as a potential weak point. Five batters—Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Sam Konstas, Jake Weatherald, and Matt Renshaw—are all vying for spots in the top three, a situation that Lloyd believes could play into England's hands. "All the talk seems to be about Konstas. Has he got substance behind him? It's a big deal to shove a kid in to open. Fair dinkum, if he gets into the side then fair do's," Lloyd mused. Yet, when it comes to genuine threats, only a couple of names worry him. "Head and Smith are the names that will be on the England whiteboard. They're dangerous, they are game changers."
While England's hopes are riding high, the Australian camp is equally determined to maintain their dominance at home. Test captain Pat Cummins has made it clear that spin stalwart Nathan Lyon will play a central role in Australia's plans. After Lyon was controversially dropped for the final Test in the West Indies—a pink-ball encounter that saw the Aussies romp to victory inside three days—there was some speculation about whether Australia might opt for an all-pace attack at home. But Cummins has all but quashed that notion.
"I’d find it very unlikely that we would go away from Gaz at all this summer," Cummins told reporters, using Lyon's well-known nickname. He explained that the unique conditions in Kingston—long grass, unpredictable bounce, and a pink ball—warranted Lyon's omission, but such scenarios are rare in Australia. "Most games in Australia, even if it’s green, you think it could get flat and you’ll be wanting Gaz." Cummins also revealed that Lyon took the decision in the Caribbean on the chin, though he was "shattered" to miss out on Starc's 100th Test. Lyon's recent form certainly supports his captain's faith: he averaged 24.95 with the ball in 2023, 22.69 in 2024, and 24.04 so far in 2025.
Former Australian spinner and Fox Cricket commentator Kerry O’Keeffe echoed Cummins' sentiments, warning against the temptation to overload the attack with fast bowlers. "Nathan backs himself on bouncy pitches but if Australia was to play the four fast bowlers at Perth, on a pitch he’s done really well on, that would hurt him," said O’Keeffe. "I’d be inclined to go with him. I don’t want to see Australia go in with four fast bowlers too many times as it disillusions spinners and I sense his frustration." O’Keeffe also offered his thoughts on alternatives should Lyon be unavailable, suggesting West Australian off-spinner Corey Rocchiccioli for the WACA Test and keeping Todd Murphy for "crusty surfaces." He also mentioned the promise of wrist spinner Tanveer Sangha, though he noted Sangha's lack of four-day experience.
The debate over team selection isn't the only subplot simmering ahead of the Ashes. Former Australian quick Kane Richardson has hinted that bowler-friendly wickets could be on the cards this summer. "I’m hearing word out of the Aussie camp that they’re going to want spicy wickets for the Ashes," Richardson revealed on the Unplayable Podcast. "In the Shield in the last few years, it’s been tough for batting." If true, this could add another layer of intrigue to a series already brimming with storylines—will the pitches favor Australia's vaunted pace attack, or could they play into the hands of England's own quality seamers?
Meanwhile, Australia's preparations are in full swing. Jack Edwards and Matt Kuhnemann have been added to the ODI squad ahead of the series finale against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground, with the home side leading the three-match series 2-0. Marnus Labuschagne will return to Queensland for the upcoming Sheffield Shield clash with NSW at the Gabba, while Josh Hazlewood and Sean Abbott are set to leave the T20 squad early to gear up for a Shield match against Victoria at the SCG from November 10-13. These moves reflect the depth and flexibility of Australia's talent pool, but also the juggling act required to keep players fresh and firing for the Ashes.
With so many moving parts—unsettled batting orders, selection debates, and the ever-present pressure of Ashes expectation—both teams are facing questions that only the heat of battle will answer. Will England's confidence and new-found belief under Ben Stokes finally translate into a breakthrough on Australian soil? Can Australia's experienced core, anchored by the likes of Steve Smith, Travis Head, and Nathan Lyon, hold off the English charge and extend their Ashes reign?
As the countdown to November 21 ticks on, one thing is certain: the Ashes 2025-26 is shaping up to be an epic contest, fueled by bold predictions, selection intrigue, and the unyielding rivalry that makes this series the jewel of Test cricket. Let the mind games begin, and may the best team seize their moment when the first ball is bowled in Perth.
