The Ashes is one of cricket’s oldest and most famous rivalries. For over 140 years, Australia and England have battled for a small urn that represents enormous pride. Every Ashes series brings drama, passion, and unforgettable moments that cricket fans treasure forever.
The Ashes 2025 is especially exciting. The last series in 2023 ended in a 2-2 draw, with Australia retaining the urn. Now both teams return with fresh faces and renewed hunger. Australia wants to prove their dominance continues, while England desperately wants to reclaim the trophy. With debutants on both sides and established stars ready to shine, this series promises to be another classic chapter in cricket’s greatest rivalry.
Full Players List for Ashes 2025
Australia Squad (1st Test)
Batters: Steve Smith (captain), Usman Khawaja (opener), Jake Weatherald (opening batter, debutant), Marnus Labuschagne (top-order), Travis Head (middle-order)
All-rounders: Cameron Green, Beau Webster
Wicketkeepers: Alex Carey (main keeper), Josh Inglis (reserve keeper)
Pacers: Mitchell Starc (fast bowler), Scott Boland (fast bowler), Brendan Doggett (fast-medium bowler, debutant), Michael Neser (seam bowler)
Spinner: Nathan Lyon (off-spinner)
Australia has made interesting selections with two debutants. Jake Weatherald gets his chance as an opener, while Brendan Doggett adds pace bowling depth. The squad balances experience with fresh energy.
England Squad (5 matches)
Batters: Zak Crawley (opener), Ben Duckett (opener), Ollie Pope (top-order), Joe Root (senior batter), Harry Brook (vice-captain, top-order), Will Jacks (middle-order)
All-rounders: Ben Stokes (captain), Jacob Bethell
Wicketkeeper: Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper-batter)
Pacers: Jofra Archer (pace bowler), Gus Atkinson (pace bowler), Brydon Carse (fast bowler), Matthew Potts (fast bowler), Mark Wood (express pace), Josh Tongue (fast bowler)
Spinner: Shoaib Bashir (off-spinner)
England has packed their squad with pace options. Jofra Archer’s return adds serious firepower. Under Ben Stokes’ captaincy, they’ll play their aggressive brand of cricket.
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Timeline of the Ashes Rivalry
The Birth of a Legend (1882)
The Ashes began with a shocking result. Australia defeated England at The Oval in London. A British newspaper published a mock obituary saying English cricket had died. The “body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia,” it said. This created the most famous trophy in cricket.
The Bodyline Controversy (1932-33)
This series became infamous for aggressive tactics. England’s fast bowlers targeted Australian batters’ bodies, causing injuries and outrage. The series damaged relations between the countries but made Ashes history.
The Invincibles (1948)
Australia toured England without losing a single match. Led by Don Bradman, this team achieved perfection. Their dominance established Australia as a cricket superpower.
Botham’s Miracle (1981)
Ian Botham produced one of cricket’s greatest comebacks. His stunning performances turned certain defeat into victory. England won the series in dramatic fashion.
Modern Classics (2005-2019)
The 2005 series is considered the greatest ever. England won 2-1 in thrilling matches. In 2019, Ben Stokes played one of the finest innings at Headingley to save England. These moments keep the rivalry alive for new generations.
Recent Times (2023)
The last series ended 2-2. Australia retained the urn because they held it before the series. Both teams showed they’re evenly matched, setting up Ashes 2025 perfectly.
Also Read: Ashes 2025 Commentary Panel: Full List of Fox Sports and Seven Sport CommentatorsSeries Standings & Overall Ashes Summary
The historical numbers show how competitive this rivalry has always been:
Total Ashes Series Played: 73
Australia Wins: 34
England Wins: 32
Drawn Series: 7
Australia leads slightly, but the difference is tiny. This balance means every series matters enormously.
Current Holder: Australia (retained after 2-2 draw in 2023)
Dominance Eras:
- Australia ruled through the 1990s and 2000s with legends like Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath
- England found more success in the 2010s with their home victories
- Recent years show the rivalry is more competitive than ever
Head-to-Head Stats Across Formats
| Format | Matches | Australia Wins | England Wins | Draws/No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests (Ashes) | 345 | 142 | 111 | 97 |
| Tests (All) | 361 | 152 | 112 | 97 |
| ODIs | 152 | 84 | 63 | 5 |
| T20Is | 23 | 10 | 13 | 0 |
Key Points:
- Australia leads in Test cricket overall
- ODI competition favors Australia significantly
- England has a slight edge in T20 matches
- Test cricket remains the heart of their rivalry
Ashes 2025 Expectations
What Australia Aims For
Australia wants to keep the urn and extend their dominance. With two debutants, they’re showing confidence in their depth. Steve Smith leads a balanced squad that mixes youth with experience. Their pace attack remains one of the world’s best.
What England Needs
England must win to reclaim the Ashes. Playing their aggressive “Bazball” style, they’ll attack from the start. Ben Stokes’ leadership and their strong pace options give them hope. The return of Jofra Archer adds serious firepower they’ve missed.
Also Read: AUS vs ENG, 1st Ashes Test Match Prediction
Key Matchups to Watch
Steve Smith vs Jofra Archer: The Australian captain against England’s fastest bowler will be fascinating.
Nathan Lyon vs Joe Root: Australia’s spinner against England’s best batter could decide matches.
Mitchell Starc vs England’s Openers: Early wickets will be crucial for Australia.
Major Talking Points
Will Jake Weatherald and Brendan Doggett handle the pressure on debut? Can Jofra Archer stay fit throughout the series? Will England’s aggressive approach work in pressure situations? These questions will shape the series outcome.
Top Records Between Australia & England
Individual Run-Scorers
- Don Bradman (Australia): 5,028 runs – The greatest Ashes record ever
- Jack Hobbs (England): 3,636 runs
- Steve Smith (Australia): 3,000+ runs in active career
- Joe Root (England): 3,000+ runs in active career
Leading Wicket-Takers
- Shane Warne (Australia): 195 wickets – The Ashes’ greatest bowler
- Glenn McGrath (Australia): 157 wickets
- James Anderson (England): 115 wickets (now retired)
- Stuart Broad (England): 153 wickets (now retired)
Most Centuries in Ashes
Don Bradman: 19 centuries – An untouchable record
Best Bowling Performance
Jim Laker (England): 10 wickets for 53 runs in a single innings (1956)
Team Records
| Record | Australia | England |
|---|---|---|
| Highest Team Total | 729/6 | 903/7 declared |
| Lowest Team Total | 36 | 45 |
These extremes show how dramatically Ashes matches can swing.
Highlights of Past Ashes Clashes
The 2005 Series – England’s Greatest Triumph
England won their first Ashes in 18 years. Every Test was incredibly close. Andrew Flintoff’s all-round brilliance inspired England. The moment Flintoff consoled Brett Lee after a heart-breaking loss showed the rivalry’s respect. The series ended 2-1 to England with millions celebrating across the country.
Ben Stokes’ Headingley Miracle (2019)
England needed 359 runs with one wicket remaining. Ben Stokes scored an unbeaten 135 in one of Test cricket’s finest innings. He farmed the strike, attacked when needed, and achieved the impossible. Australia was left stunned as England won by one wicket.
The Invincibles Tour (1948)
Don Bradman’s Australian team went through England unbeaten. They won the Test series 4-0 and didn’t lose any match on tour. This achievement has never been repeated and remains cricket folklore.
Players to Watch in Ashes 2025
Steve Smith (Australia – Captain)
Smith is Australia’s greatest modern batter. He averages over 60 in Test cricket and loves the Ashes. His unique technique confuses bowlers. As captain, he’ll lead from the front. Smith thrives under pressure and will be crucial to Australia’s hopes.
Ben Stokes (England – Captain)
Stokes embodies England’s fearless approach. He changes games with bat, ball, and leadership. His 2019 Headingley innings proved he’s a player for the biggest moments. As captain, he’s made England play without fear. If England wins, Stokes will likely be central to it.
Nathan Lyon (Australia)
The off-spinner is Australia’s greatest slow bowler. With over 500 Test wickets, he knows how to win matches. Lyon bowls long spells, creates pressure, and takes crucial wickets. England’s batters must handle him carefully.
Joe Root (England)
Root is England’s backbone. He’s their most reliable run-scorer and handles pressure beautifully. Now batting at number four, he’ll anchor innings. Root has scored heavily against Australia before and must do so again.
Jake Weatherald (Australia – Debutant)
The opener gets his chance in the biggest series. Weatherald brings fresh energy and will be hungry to prove himself. How he handles his first Ashes Test will be fascinating.
Jofra Archer (England)
Archer’s pace terrorizes batters. After injury struggles, his return gives England genuine speed. He bowled beautifully in the 2019 Ashes before getting hurt. A fit Archer is one of cricket’s most dangerous bowlers.
Brendan Doggett (Australia – Debutant)
The fast-medium bowler adds depth to Australia’s pace attack. Making his debut in an Ashes series shows the selectors’ confidence. Doggett will be eager to make an immediate impact.
Harry Brook (England – Vice Captain)
Brook has been England’s most exciting young batter. He scores quickly and fearlessly. As vice-captain, he’s clearly being groomed for future leadership. His aggressive style fits England’s approach perfectly.
Conclusion
The Ashes 2025 brings together everything that makes this rivalry special. History weighs on every delivery. Pride drives every run. Two nations compete not just for victory but for bragging rights that last years.
Australia enters with confidence. They hold the urn and have proven their strength. Two debutants show their depth. Their pace attack remains world-class, and Steve Smith continues to anchor their batting.
England plays at home with renewed belief. Their aggressive style has revitalized English cricket. Ben Stokes leads a hungry team. Jofra Archer’s return gives them firepower they’ve desperately missed.
The squads are set. The stage is prepared. Five Test matches will decide who claims the urn. Expect drama, controversy, brilliance, and heartbreak. That’s what the Ashes delivers every time.
Whether you support the Baggy Greens or the Three Lions, one thing is certain: Ashes 2025 will add another thrilling chapter to cricket’s greatest story. The rivalry continues, and fans worldwide can’t wait for the first ball to be bowled.