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Ashes Kicks Off in Perth as England Chase History After 15 Years

  • By Thetripurapost Desk, Perth
  • Nov 20, 2025
  • 565

Cricket’s oldest rivalry is set to ignite once again as The Ashes begins tomorrow, with Australia and England clashing in the opening Test at Perth Stadium at 7:50 AM IST. The English side enters the series with a point to prove, having not won a Test series in Australia for 15 long years—their last triumph coming in 2010-11 with a commanding 3-1 victory.

However, the challenge ahead is formidable. England will play a Test at Perth Stadium for the first time, while Australia have maintained an unbeaten streak in home Ashes campaigns for a decade. The last time they conceded the urn was in 2015, when England won 3-2 on home soil.

The Ashes began in 1882, but the rivalry predates its name—Australia and England played the world’s first-ever Test match in 1877 in Melbourne. Since then, 73 Ashes series have been contested, with Australia holding a narrow edge: 34 series wins to England’s 32, while seven ended in draws.

Three Big Questions Ahead of the Series

1. Can Australia stay unbeaten at home without key stars?

Australia enter the series without senior players David Warner, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood for the first match. This places the burden firmly on seasoned performers Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Usman Khawaja. The side is also testing a new opener in Jack Weatherald, following Warner’s retirement and multiple unsuccessful trials at the position.

2. Can Stokes inspire an Ashes victory in Australia after 15 years?

England’s recent Test form has been mixed. Despite strong performances from match-winners like Ben Stokes, Joe Root, Mark Wood, Harry Brook, and Jofra Archer, the team has struggled for consistency. Adding to the challenge, England’s premier batsman Joe Root is yet to score a Test century on Australian soil—a record he will be desperate to break.

3. Can Australia’s bowling firepower hold without Cummins and Hazlewood?

With captain Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood ruled out of the opener due to injury, the spotlight shifts to Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, and veteran spinner Nathan Lyon. Test debutant Brendan Doggett also enters the fray as a player to watch, with Australia banking on fresh energy and home advantage to maintain their dominance.