Status: The 2025–26 men’s Ashes opener is complete. The first Test was scheduled to begin at 10:20 a.m. AWST on Friday, November 21, 2025, at Perth Stadium, also known as Optus Stadium. Australian viewers had Channel 7/7plus, Kayo Sports and Foxtel; UK viewers had TNT Sports and discovery+, with BBC radio coverage. Australia won by eight wickets after the match finished on November 22.
Which Ashes Test was played in Perth?
This was the first of five Tests in the 2025–26 men’s Ashes, between Australia and England. It was scheduled for November 21–25, 2025, at Perth Stadium in Perth, Western Australia—the first Ashes Test hosted at that venue. It was not played at the WACA Ground. The match concluded after two days, on November 22.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
![The Ashes Cricket Collection [Import anglais]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51ulSusGizL._SL160_.jpg)
|
The Ashes Cricket Collection [Import anglais] | $56.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Ashes Cricket 2009 (PC) (UK) | $14.50 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
![Legends of Cricket: Ashes Spec [Import anglais]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/517dVyfLH0L._SL160_.jpg)
|
Legends of Cricket: Ashes Spec [Import anglais] | $32.92 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Cricket 19 - The Ashes Xbox One | $20.23 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Cricket 24 - The Official Game of the Ashes | $99.99 | Buy on Amazon |
What time was the first ball?
The scheduled play start in Perth was 10:20 a.m. AWST on Friday, November 21. That is distinct from any broadcaster’s earlier pre-match coverage. For US viewers, the corresponding evening was Thursday, November 20.
| Location | Scheduled start |
|---|---|
| Perth | 10:20 a.m. AWST, Friday, November 21 |
| Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra | 1:20 p.m. AEDT, Friday, November 21 |
| Adelaide | 12:50 p.m. ACDT, Friday, November 21 |
| United Kingdom | About 2:20–2:30 a.m. GMT, Friday, November 21 |
| US Eastern Time | About 9:20–9:30 p.m. ET, Thursday, November 20 |
| US Pacific Time | About 6:20–6:30 p.m. PT, Thursday, November 20 |
The UK time was not published consistently: a direct conversion of ABC’s 10:20 a.m. AWST start gives about 2:20 a.m. GMT, while the ECB fixture guide listed 2:30 a.m. Treat those as published schedule estimates rather than a precise, universally agreed first-ball time. ABC’s match-day start-time guide and the ECB fixtures announcement give the respective details.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
#1 Best Overall
Where could viewers watch?
Australia
- Channel 7: free-to-air television coverage.
- 7plus: streaming coverage where available; platform access may depend on location and service requirements.
- Kayo Sports and Foxtel: subscription viewing options.
- Cricket Australia match centre: scores, highlights and match information; it should not be assumed to provide a full live video stream.
These are different ways to follow a match: check whether you need live video, television, radio, scores or highlights. Coverage details are listed on the Cricket Australia match page.
United Kingdom
TNT Sports carried every ball, with discovery+ as a streaming route. TNT Sports was also available through providers including discovery+, BT, EE, Sky and Virgin Media. BBC Test Match Special offered radio and digital commentary through BBC Sounds, Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sport’s website and app. BBC coverage was not live UK television coverage of every ball. The ECB’s viewing guide describes the available options.
Rank #2
United States and other territories
Australian and UK rights do not establish access in the US or elsewhere. The available official information does not identify a confirmed US live-video broadcaster, so viewers in other territories would need to check local rights listings. Do not assume Australian or UK services are available outside their licensed regions.
Who was in the confirmed Australia and England teams?
These are the playing XIs, not just preliminary squads.
Australia XI
- Jake Weatherald
- Usman Khawaja
- Marnus Labuschagne
- Steve Smith (captain)
- Travis Head
- Cameron Green
- Alex Carey (wicketkeeper)
- Mitchell Starc
- Brendan Doggett
- Scott Boland
- Nathan Lyon
Smith stood in as captain while Pat Cummins was unavailable; Josh Hazlewood was also unavailable. Weatherald and Doggett made their Test debuts, and Labuschagne returned to the side. Australia selected a pace-heavy attack while retaining Lyon as its specialist spinner. The ICC team announcement confirmed the XI.
England XI
- Zak Crawley
- Ben Duckett
- Ollie Pope
- Joe Root
- Harry Brook
- Ben Stokes (captain)
- Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper)
- Gus Atkinson
- Brydon Carse
- Mark Wood
- Jofra Archer
England’s initial announcement named a 12-player squad; the final XI omitted specialist spinner Shoaib Bashir. Mark Wood was declared fit after a warm-up fitness concern. England selected four specialist fast bowlers—Atkinson, Carse, Wood and Archer—with Stokes providing another pace option. The ICC announcement covers the squad and selection.
Rank #4
What was the result?
Australia beat England by eight wickets to take a 1–0 lead in the five-Test series. England made 172 and 164; Australia replied with 132 and then reached 205 for two in the chase. Starc took seven wickets for 58 in England’s first innings, and Head scored 123 from 83 balls in Australia’s successful chase. The full scorecard is available from ESPNcricinfo.
Why was the Perth selection notable?
The opener moved the Ashes’ first-Test setting to Perth Stadium rather than the traditional Gabba venue. Australia entered without Cummins and Hazlewood, while England chose four specialist quicks and left Bashir out of the XI. The venue’s naming and details are on Cricket Australia’s Perth Stadium page.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
