England’s 2025 Test cricket calendar features a comprehensive schedule spanning both home and away series. The year includes a one-off Test against Zimbabwe (May), a crucial 5-Test home series against India (June-August), and concludes with the highly anticipated Ashes series in Australia (November 2025-January 2026). Under Ben Stokes’ captaincy and Brendon McCullum’s coaching across all formats, England will play a total of 11 Test matches.
England Home Test Season 2025
England vs Zimbabwe Test 2025
Series: One-off Test Match
Duration: May 22-25, 2025
Format: 4-Day Test Match
Captain: Ben Stokes
| Match | Date | Venue | Start Time | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Only Test | May 22-25, 2025 | Nottingham (Trent Bridge) | 11:00 AM Local | Completed |
Result: England won by an innings and 45 runs
Key Information:
- This was Zimbabwe’s first Test in England in 22 years
- Shoaib Bashir took 9 wickets for 143 runs in the match, his best match figures
- England scored 565/6 declared with centuries from Ollie Pope (171), Ben Duckett (140), and Zak Crawley (124)
England vs India Test Series 2025
Series: 5-Test Series
Duration: June 20 – August 4, 2025
Format: Test Matches Only
Captain: Ben Stokes
| Match | Date | Venue | Start Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | June 20-24, 2025 | Leeds (Headingley) | 11:00 AM Local |
| 2nd Test | July 2-6, 2025 | Birmingham (Edgbaston) | 11:00 AM Local |
| 3rd Test | July 10-14, 2025 | London (Lord’s) | 11:00 AM Local |
| 4th Test | July 23-27, 2025 | Manchester (Old Trafford) | 11:00 AM Local |
| 5th Test | July 31 – Aug 4, 2025 | London (The Oval) | 11:00 AM Local |
Key Information:
- This marks the marquee series of England’s 2025 home summer
- This is India’s first Test tour to England since the incomplete 2021 series
- All matches are Test format only – no limited-overs games
- Part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle
- India will be led by new captain Shubman Gill with Rishabh Pant as vice-captain
Historic Venues
- Headingley, Leeds: Traditional series opener
- Edgbaston, Birmingham: Premium experiences and VIP packages available
- Lord’s: The Home of Cricket hosting the third Test
- Old Trafford, Manchester: Fourth Test venue
- The Oval: Series finale in London
Related: India vs England Test Head to Head Records, Stats, Timeline
England Away Test Series 2025-26
The Ashes 2025-26 in Australia
Series: 5-Test Series
Duration: November 21, 2025 – January 8, 2026
Format: Test Matches Only
Captain: Ben Stokes
| Match | Date | Venue | Start Time (Local) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | November 21-25, 2025 | Perth (Optus Stadium) | 10:30 AM |
| 2nd Test | December 4-8, 2025 | Brisbane (The Gabba) | 2:30 PM (D/N) |
| 3rd Test | December 17-21, 2025 | Adelaide (Adelaide Oval) | 10:30 AM |
| 4th Test | December 26-30, 2025 | Melbourne (MCG) | 10:30 AM |
| 5th Test | January 4-8, 2026 | Sydney (SCG) | 10:30 AM |
Historic Significance:
- First time since 1982-83 that an Ashes series in Australia doesn’t start in Brisbane
- First-ever Ashes Test at Perth’s Optus Stadium (opened in 2017)
- First day-night Ashes Test at The Gabba in Brisbane
- England seeking to end their 15-Test winless streak in Australia
Match Details
- Perth Test: Known for its fast and bouncy pitch, setting the tone for the series
- Brisbane Test: Day/night Test with pink ball under lights
- Adelaide Test: The festive season Christmas Test at the picturesque Adelaide Oval
- Melbourne Test: Boxing Day Test at MCG drawing massive crowds
- Sydney Test: New Year’s Test at the traditional SCG venue
Complete Test Calendar Summary
Total Test Matches in 2025-26: 11 Tests
- Home: 6 Tests (1 vs Zimbabwe, 5 vs India)
- Away: 5 Tests in Australia (The Ashes)
Monthly Breakdown
- May: Zimbabwe in England (1 Test)
- June-August: India in England (5 Tests)
- November 2025-January 2026: The Ashes in Australia (5 Tests)
Key Information
Captaincy & Coaching
- Captain: Ben Stokes (all formats)
- Coach: Brendon McCullum now coaching England across all formats
World Test Championship Context
- India Series: Crucial for England’s WTC 2025-27 cycle standings
- Ashes Series: High-stakes Test cricket between traditional rivals
- All 11 Test matches contribute to England’s World Test Championship campaign
Match Timings
- Home Tests: All matches start at 11:00 AM local time
- Ashes Tests: Various start times including day-night match in Brisbane
Current Ashes Status
- Australia currently hold the Ashes, having retained them with a 2-2 draw in 2023
- England last won the Ashes in Australia during the 2010-11 series
Ticket Information
Home Series: Tickets available through ECB official channels and venue box offices The Ashes: Register interest through Cricket Australia Travel Office (CATO) for exclusive packages
Broadcasting & Streaming
Live coverage available on Sky Sports in the UK. For The Ashes, check local Australian broadcasters and international cricket coverage providers.
Historical Context
- England’s Test summer concludes early (August 4) with no Test cricket after that date
- England’s busy 2025 ends with the Ashes series in Australia
- Australia have won the past eight Ashes Tests in Perth
Source: England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Cricket Australia
Last Updated: June 2025