Ashes 2025: Teams, fixtures, start times and how to watch in UAE

The oldest rivalry in cricket, and one of the longest running contests in sport, is back this week and it promises to be a riveting one.

England have landed in Australia for the start of the five-Test Ashes, the first contest of which takes place in Perth from Friday.

The Aussies have held on to the Ashes urn for close to a decade, and enter the series as the favourites - even if not overwhelming ones - to retain the coveted trophy.

England have not won an Ashes Test in Australia since 2011. It was also the last time they won a series in Australia. That span includes a 5-0 loss in 2013/14, and 4-0 defeats in 2017/18 and 2021/22.

But the mood has changed following a spate of injuries to key Australian players. Star captain Pat Cummins has failed to regain fitness following back issues while pace spearhead Josh Hazlewood has picked up a hamstring injury. Even stand-in captain Steve Smith copped a blow to the hand while training.

Will England be able to make the most of Australia's sudden fitness concerns?

Australia's stand-in captain Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne during training in Perth. Getty Images

Fixtures

First Test: November 21-25 in Perth (match starts 6.30am UAE time)

Second Test: December 4-8 in Brisbane (Day-night Test from 8.30am)

Third Test: December 17-21 in Adelaide (4am)

Fourth Test: December 26-30 in Melbourne (3.30am)

Fifth Test: January 4-8 in Sydney (3.30am)

Squads

Australia (first Test): Steve Smith (captain), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey (wk), Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Jake Weatherald, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon, Beau Webster, Brendan Doggett, Michael Neser

England: Ben Stokes (captain), Harry Brook (vc), Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Ollie Pope, Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks, Matthew Potts, Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Josh Tongue, Mark Wood

Players to watch

For Australia, it could boil down to Scot Boland. In the absence of two of their frontline quicks, Australia will need their X factor seamer to step up and basically lead the attack in the opening match. Boland will likely have to bowl a bulk of the overs and also keep the runs in check.

England will be banking on Harry Brook to be the enforcer in the middle order. The opening Test will be a great opportunity for England to go after Australia's attack once Starc and Boland are done with their overs. England's young star batter against Australia's aging pacers.

Fun fact

Only one Australian player in their entire squad is under the age of 30 - Cameron Green.