The countdown has started for the Ashes series, one of the oldest contests in Test cricket. The final Test begins on November 21. Australia and England, the oldest rivals in Test cricket, are fully ready for this big match.
This Test series in Australia is expected to be very exciting. Pat Cummins and his team want to beat Ben Stokes' side at home. At the same time, England also wants to defeat Australia on their own ground. Big players from both teams will be in action in this series.
The most interesting contest in the 2025-26 Ashes will be between Australia's legendary batsman Steve Smith and England's fearsome fast bowler Jofra Archer. The 2019 Ashes will never be forgotten, when Smith, despite being injured, held his nerve against Archer's devastating deliveries. Consequently, this contest will be truly spectacular. Both players are match-winners for their teams. So far, Smith and Archer have faced off in 164 Tests, with Smith scoring 94 runs and never conceding a wicket to Archer.
England's star batsman Joe Root, who has emerged as the Test's biggest run-machine in recent years, is now ready for the Ashes. The Ashes series is a huge test in itself, and Root will be looking to prove himself again. But here he will face Australia's speedster Mitchell Starc. The matchup between Starc and Root is set to be quite interesting. The two have clashed several times in Tests, with Root scoring 349 runs off Starc's 630 balls and being dismissed by him eight times.
England’s short opener, Ben Duckett, is seen as one of the most dangerous and attacking batsmen in the world right now.21` This English batsman has been performing exceptionally well for some time. Known for his explosive batting, Ben Duckett is now ready for the Ashes series. He could prove dangerous again in this series. But the road here won't be easy. Duckett will have to deal with Josh Hazlewood initially. The two have faced off for 81 balls in Tests so far, with Duckett scoring 69 runs while Hazlewood dismissed him for 3.
The batting of Australian batsman Travis Head will be a sight to behold in the Ashes series between Australia and England. When this explosive batsman takes the field in this high-voltage Test series, his encounter with England's fast bowler Mark Wood will be quite interesting. The two players have already faced each other in a few Test matches. So far, Mark Wood has bowled 146 balls to Head, scoring 113 runs and getting dismissed three times.
England captain and legendary all-rounder Ben Stokes is once again ready to lead his team to victory. Stokes holds special memories of the Ashes series, and he will once again be playing as captain in this crucial series. He has played several brilliant innings in this Test series and will be looking to showcase his strength again.
However, he will face a crucial challenge from Kangaroo spinner Nathan Lyon. Lyon has troubled Stokes several times. The two have faced off in Tests so far, spanning 840 balls, with Stokes scoring 409 runs, while Lyon has dismissed the English player nine times.
