The 2025-26 Ashes are expected to commence with the first Test in Perth. While Australia has decided on its playing XI, England has elected to keep their final XI a secret until the morning of the first day. With the ground at Perth Stadium set to give fast pace and considerable bounce, England will use every minute available before deciding whether to go with an all-pace assault or youthful off-spinner Shoaib Bashir.
Skipper Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum have built an aggressive Test team since 2022, but this tour of Australia is a test of their progress. Notably, England has not won a test in Australia since 2011, and they were humiliated 4-0 in the 2021-22 series. Now, with a fierce fast-bowling lineup, they want to dominate Perth, aided by the absence of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood for the hosts.
Meanwhile, England has reduced its squad to 12 players but has yet to declare the starting lineup.
Bashir was picked to the 12 despite having not played since July due to a fractured finger. His warm-up session was costly, but England has backed him over the past year and believes that the dry places on the Perth track will bring him into action. However, visiting spinners have struggled greatly at this site.
An option is an all-seam attack. Mark Wood has been certified fully fit following hamstring issues. If England pitch an all-out pace unit consisting of Jofra Archer, Wood, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse and Stokes, they will have the fastest assault in an Ashes Test in Australia. England have deployed an all-pace XI only twice under Stokes.
Australia finalizes their playing XI for Perth Test
Furthermore, curator Isaac McDonald expects pace and bounce with cracks opening later in the match. England’s think-tank has watched the pitch closely for two days, but Stokes wants one final look on Friday morning before committing.
Notably, Australia has already confirmed its XI for the opening Test. With Cummins and Hazlewood out, Steven Smith leads a team featuring opener Jake Weatherald and fast bowler Brendan Doggett. Marnus Labuschagne returns to No. 3, while Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc form the core of the attack alongside Scott Boland. Cameron Green shifts down to No. 6 with Alex Carey retaining the gloves.
India
