The 2025–26 Ashes are about to get underway, and the Australian media isn’t holding back. As Ben Stokes leads England into Perth for the first Test, newspapers and pundits are salivating — not just for wickets, but for controversy. The thrust of their attack? That Stokes and his England side are treating this Ashes tour more like a relaxing golf holiday than a fight for the urn.
The Ashes Begin: Where, When, and What’s at Stake.
The series kicks off on 21 November 2025 at Optus Stadium in Perth, running until 25 November for the first Test.
This is the first time the Ashes are beginning in Perth, rather than in the more traditional Brisbane.
The full five-Test series will then move to Brisbane (from 4 December), Adelaide (17 December), Melbourne (26 December), and conclude in Sydney (4 January 2026).
The Media Blitz: “Tee-Off Tactics,” Not Test Cricket
Australian tabloids and cricket commentators have lit into England’s camp for what they see as complacency and poor planning. Central to the narrative: Ben Stokes, England’s man in charge, is allegedly letting his bowlers and batsmen do more bonding on green fairways than grinding in the nets.
Critics say England’s pre‑Test schedule is woefully light. Rather than cramming in serious red-ball match practice, the team is being painted as more interested in team-building and rest than adapting to the brutal Australian conditions. Former English great Ian Botham slammed England’s limited preparation as “borderline arrogant,” suggesting the side are rolling into the series undercooked. (There have been reports that England will only play a single intra-squad warm-up game before the first Test.)
Former England quick Steven Finn believes the media storm is deliberate — a psychological tactic aimed squarely at unsettling England early, especially since this might be one of England’s best shots in years to win an Ashes series Down Under.
Stokes, for his part, has stuck to a confident, defiant tone. He says the squad’s preparation has been “very carefully thought out,” stressing that in today’s packed calendar, long touring schedules or multiple red-ball warm-ups are luxuries of a bygone era. He insists that the one warm-up match will be “full intensity” — “balls to the wall,” as he put it.
Inside the camp, there’s a steely calm. Mark Wood, recently cleared of a hamstring concern, has expressed “quiet confidence” that England’s strategy will pay off. Meanwhile, bating coach Marcus Trescothick has defended the build-up, arguing that modern scheduling leaves little choice but to be more efficient in tour planning.
The first Test isn’t just about media heat — there are real cracks in both sides’ armor. Pat Cummins, Australia’s captain, will not play in the Perth Test due to a lumbar stress injury. In his place, Steve Smith will step in as skipper.
The bowling attack is also weakened: Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the first Test with a hamstring strain. Despite his absence, Cummins is targeting a return for the second Test in Brisbane, saying he’s “on track” in his rehab.
The 16-man England squad features some storylines of its own: Mark Wood returns after injury, and spinner Shoaib Bashir is back after recovering from a fractured finger.
Harry Brook has been named vice-captain for this series, replacing Ollie Pope, a move that hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Ben Stokes, meanwhile, is on course to be fit despite recent shoulder concerns.
Harry Brook has pointed out what many are seeing as an opportunity: with Cummins out, England could use the absence of Australia’s strike bowler to their advantage — though he also warns that the remaining Aussie bowling lineup, even weakened, is still dangerous.
The Australian media isn’t just reporting; it’s attacking. The tone is that England are too soft, too unprepared — and this is more than just cricket, it’s a statement of dominance.
England’s limited warm-up schedule is being criticized — but Stokes seems to believe the team’s modern approach, focusing on recovery, tactical planning, and intense net sessions, can outmatch traditional, long-format preparation.
Australia’s Vulnerability: Without Cummins and Hazlewood, Australia’s bowling firepower looks diminished. This could shift momentum toward England — especially if they start strong in Perth.
High Stakes for England: It’s not just about winning the Ashes — it’s about proving that their bold, Bazball‑era methods can hold up in the crucible of an Ashes series in Australia, even when challenged by brute pace or hostile media.
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