Published on: Nov 20, 2025 1:17 pm IST | Updated on: Nov 20, 2025 5:14 pm IST
The biggest rivalry in Test cricket is here. Australia is all set to host England in a 5-match Ashes Test series, kicking off on November 21 at the Optus Stadium in Perth. Australia, the current holders of the prestigious Ashes urn, will start as the favorites against a side that hasn’t won a single Ashes Test in Australia since the famous 2011 win at the Sydney Cricket Ground under the leadership of Andrew Strauss. In this post, we have come up with free expert tips for the 1st Test Match, AUS vs ENG, at the Optus Stadium in Perth.
Australia, playing at home against a team other than India, always looks strong. However, things could be different for them this time around, with the star pace duo of Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins missing this Test match due to injury. This is exactly what the visitors were hoping for to get their campaign kicking in the Ashes 2025-26. With the unavailability of two of Australia’s pace weapons, England should fancy their chances of winning this Test and go 1-0 up in the series. For Australia to win, they should rely heavily on Mitchell Starc with the new ball on Perth’s spicy wicket, tailor-made for extra pace and bounce. His early movements at sheer pace could ruffle the feathers of English batters. The battle lines are drawn, and one can say the win probability meter in the early stages of this series should favor the hosts. Let’s continue with the post and find out the best cricket tips for the 1st Test Match, AUS vs ENG, at the Optus Stadium in Perth.
AUS: 56% win chance ENG: 44% win chance
On a wicket like Perth which is a pacer's paradise, Mitchell Starc would be eager to do well. He has scalped 41 wickets in his last 10 Test matches.
We all know what Jofra Archer did in his debut Ashes Test series against the likes of Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne. On a wicket that is bound to suit his style of bowling, Archer could be the most potent weapon in England's armory.
Australian Test legend Steven Smith will be the main man for them with the bat. He has amassed 775 runs in the last 9 Test matches at an average of 50.67.
Harry Brook's bat has done the talking in recent times. In his last 10 Test matches, Brook has amassed 920 runs at a scintillating average of 54.12. He could be a big threat for the opposition.
Check out our prediction for the AUS vs ENG 1st Test match at the Optus Stadium in Perth, Western Australia.
For the first time in many years, Australia will be without two of their tried and tested pace trio at home. The absence of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood in the first Test of the Ashes 2025-26 is something the hosts need to address. The duo has been ruled out of the first Test due to injury and have been replaced by Scott Boland and debutant Brendan Doggett. In their absence, all eyes will be on their premier pacer, Mitchell Starc, who will be overburdened now.
The Aussies have already named their eleven a day before the first Test. Stand-in skipper Steven Smith will be leading the troops in the absence of regular skipper Pat Cummins. Marnus Labuschagne has been trusted yet again and will be seen batting at no. 3. The rest of the batting lineup looks familiar, with Cameron Green making it into the top 6, along with debutant Jake Weatherald, who will be the new opening partner of Usman Khawaja.
After showing flashes of brilliance in his short Test career, Australia has decided to move on from young Sam Konstas and give his place to a domestic veteran, Jake Weatherald. With the stage set for an epic opener, expect the first Ashes Test of the 2025-26 series to be a mouthwatering one.
In the last 2 years or so, the world has witnessed Australian batters struggle against quality pace bowling, particularly at home. It all started with Shamar Joseph conquering Gabba with the Pink ball in his hand, and a cue from there was taken by Jasprit Bumrah when he unleashed his best version with more than 30 wickets in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia across 9 innings. Haris Rauf made a brief visit to Australia for a 3-match ODI series in 2025, and the Australian batters had no answers to his fiery pace and bounce.
All this transpired in a year and a half, but Australia’s vulnerability against quality pace and bounce continued to get exposed even in their most recent trip to the Caribbean, where their nemesis, Shamar Joseph, troubled them yet again with his sheer pace and finished as the leading wicket-taker in the 3-match Test series.
For England to get the better of Australia on a spicy Perth wicket, they need to unleash their pace attack, particularly Jofra Archer and Mark Wood. The duo has a lot of gas in them, and if they can play all 5 Tests with full throttle, England winning the Ashes after a span of 14 years in Australia won’t be a surprise. The first Test will set the template for the entire series, and we are all up for that. Let’s move ahead and check the cricket tips.
Matches Played: 361 AUS won: 152 ENG won: 112 Draw: 97 RECENT form AUSTRALIA: W L W W W RECENT form ENGLAND: W L W D L
Australia and England have a rich legacy, particularly in Test cricket. In as many as 361 meetings between these two sides, Australia leads the battle with 152 wins, whereas England has registered 112 wins. 97 matches between these two ended in a draw.
How will the two teams, i.e., Australia and England, fare in the first Ashes Test? Let’s take a look.
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (C), Jamie Smith (WK), Brydon Carse, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood
Here’s the pitch and weather report for the 1st Test between Australia and England at the Optus Stadium in Perth:
The toss could prove crucial at the pace-friendly Optus Stadium. Expect both captains to opt for bowling first, hoping to exploit early movement under fresh conditions. However, if the surface looks dry and firm, batting first might be tempting. Winning the toss could set the tone for the entire Test.
The online live streaming of the 1st Test match of the Ashes 2025-26 will take place live on the JioHotstar app. The live TV coverage for this series will be available on the Star Sports 1, 2, and 3 channels.
It’s going to be one hell of a contest as both teams won’t be leaving any stone unturned in the opening Test match of the 2025-26 Ashes series. Australia, playing at home, will be the overwhelming favorite, but England will look to take advantage of Australia’s inexperienced bowling unit in the absence of Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins. Many sportsbooks are still favoring Australia, as they are playing at home, but England won’t be outclassed so easily. Therefore, as per our prediction, the hosts, Australia, still remain the favorites and are expected to win the AUS vs ENG 1st Ashes Test match.