AUS vs ENG Dream11 Prediction, 1st Test, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Playing 11, Injury Updates & Pitch Report for The Ashes, 2025-26

The greatest rivals Australia and England are set to lock horns with each other as the 2025-26 Ashes begins at the fast and fiery Optus Stadium in Perth.

By Bhupender Sharma

Updated - 20 Nov 2025, 20:38 IST

1 Min Read

Table Of Contents

Match InfoPlaying XIC & VCTeamsWeather ReportTeam FormInjury NewsPitchAvoidable Players

Preview

The greatest rivals are set to lock horns with each other as the 2025-26 Ashes begins at the fast and fiery Optus Stadium in Perth. Australia will enter the series with a strong winning momentum and an unbeaten 15-Test Ashes streak on home soil, but player injuries like Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood could leave their pace attack thinner than usual. Led by Steve Smith, the squad has young debutants Jake Weatherald and Brendan Doggett, alongside in-form performers Labuschagne, Head, Green, Starc, and Bolan.

England, on the other side, would be led by Ben Stokes, who will be coming with renewed confidence after they had a 2-2 draw series against India earlier this year. Their squad lineup boasts players like Archer, Wood, Carse, and Atkinson, who will strengthen the pace order and are ready for Perth’s bounce. Joe Root, Harry Brook, and Ollie Pope will form the backbone of the batting order as Bazball debuts in Australia.

Match Information

Australia vs England, 1st Test

The Ashes, 21 Nov 2025, Fri, 7:50 AM IST ,Perth Stadium

Broadcast

Fancode

Live Stream

Fancode

Weather Report

Perth Stadium

Clear

25.5°C

51% (Humidity)

Team Form (Last 5 matches)

Australia

T
L
L
W
T

England

W
L
L
L
T

Players Stats in current Series

1

Travis Head

AUS - bat

600 Runs

5 Matches

2

Joe Root

ENG - bat

394 Runs

5 Matches

3

Harry Brook

ENG - bat

316 Runs

5 Matches

4

Alex Carey

AUS - wk

307 Runs

5 Matches

5

Zak Crawley

ENG - bat

272 Runs

5 Matches

6

Steve Smith

AUS - BATTER

265 Runs

4 Matches

1

Mark Wood

ENG - bowl

200.00

1 Match

2

Ben Duckett

ENG - WICKETKEEPER

96.39

5 Matches

3

Travis Head

AUS - bat

87.59

5 Matches

4

Gus Atkinson

ENG - ALL-ROUNDER

85.88

3 Matches

5

Harry Brook

ENG - bat

81.03

5 Matches

6

Josh Inglis

AUS - WICKETKEEPER

77.38

2 Matches

1

Mitchell Starc

AUS - bowl

28 Wkts

5 Matches

2

Brydon Carse

ENG - bowl

22 Wkts

5 Matches

3

Scott Boland

AUS - bowl

18 Wkts

5 Matches

4

Ben Stokes

ENG - all

15 Wkts

5 Matches

5

Michael Neser

AUS - all

14 Wkts

3 Matches

6

Josh Tongue

ENG - bowl

13 Wkts

3 Matches

1

Nathan Lyon

AUS - bowl

2.85

2 Matches

2

Jofra Archer

ENG - bowl

3.05

3 Matches

3

Jhye Richardson

AUS - BOWLER

3.21

1 Match

4

Jacob Bethell

ENG - all

3.33

2 Matches

5

Scott Boland

AUS - bowl

3.36

5 Matches

6

Pat Cummins

AUS - bowl

3.44

1 Match

Probable Playing XI

Australia

AT Carey, Steve Smith (C), TM Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, J Weatherald, C Green, SM Boland, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Brendan Doggett

Bench : JP Inglis, BJ Webster, Michael Neser, Sean Abbott

England

BM Duckett, JE Root, Ben Stokes (C), Zak Crawley, HC Brook, Ollie Pope, BA Carse, Jofra Archer, AAP Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Mark Wood

Bench : Jacob Bethell, WG Jacks, MJ Potts, JC Tongue

Injury and availability news

(will be added when there is an update)

Pitch Report

The surface at the Optus Stadium in Perth is suitable for pace bowlers, allowing them to move the ball during the start of the match and take wickets with perfect hit-the-deck deliveries, along with good pace. Batting will ease on Day 2 as the surface will settle, but cracks will open up by Day 4-5, which will make it tough for scoring. Spinners would come into effect late.

70%

Pace Bowling

30%

Spin Bowling

40%

Batting Pitch

250

Average Score

60%

Bowling Pitch

Player Picks

8.5
C

Steve Smith AUS | BATTER

With an exceptional Ashes record, especially at Perth, and with strong form in the Test, he will be expected to lead the team and dominate.

8.5
VC

Joe Root ENG | BAT

Root is England’s most reliable Test batter, with elite numbers under his belt. His ability to play pacers—he would be expected to shoulder England’s scoring load on a tough pitch.

6.5

Harry Brook ENG | BAT

Brook is capable of turning sessions quickly in testing conditions. With 920 runs in his last 10 Test matches and an average of 50, he would be a good fit.

8.5

Mitchell Starc AUS | BOWL

Starc has 41 wickets in his last 10 Tests and also holds a brilliant record on Perth pitch conditions with 26 wickets under his name.

7.5

Scott Boland AUS | BOWL

With home advantage and an outstanding home record, he is perfectly suited for the pace pitch like that of Optus. He would likely bowl long and impactful spells.

8

Gus Atkinson ENG | ALL-ROUNDER

Atkinson, with his pace ability can exploit early seam and bounce. With his ability to pick early and wicket-taking abilities, he would be a great addition to the team.

Avoid Having These Players In Your Fantasy Sports Team

8

Matty Potts

ENG | BOWL

9

Jacob Bethell

ENG | ALL

Last Updated On - Nov 20 2025 8:38 PM

Players
11/11

Team 1

AUS

6 : 5

ENG

Credits Left
12.5/100

Mega League
Alex Carey

7

Harry Brook

6.5

Joe Root

8.5

Ben Duckett

9

Steve Smith
C

8.5

Travis Head

8.5

Ben Stokes

9

Cameron Green

7.5

Jofra Archer

7

Scott Boland

7.5

Mitchell Starc
VC

8.5

Players
11/11

Team 1

AUS

6 : 5

ENG

Credits Left
13.5/100

Head To Head
Alex Carey

7

Harry Brook

6.5

Joe Root
C

8.5

Steve Smith

8.5

Travis Head

8.5

Marnus Labuschagne

7.5

Ben Stokes
VC

9

Cameron Green

7.5

Jofra Archer

7

Gus Atkinson

8

Mitchell Starc

8.5

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The Ashes 2025-26EnglandAustralia