The Ashes 2025/26 highlights: Catch-up, on-demand and replays
Didn't fancy a late one? Check out all the latest action from the Ashes.
Whatever your approach, keeping track of an Ashes series on the other side of the world is no easy feat. Many fans will put themselves through the turmoil of watching or listening through the night, while others opt to prioritise sleep and catch up in the morning. Either way, it's been a difficult watch, for the most part, for supporters in the UK. As with the Boxing Day Test, play starts at 11:30pm and finishes around 7am (UK time) for the series finale at the Sydney Cricket Ground, which means supporters in the UK will have to commit to staying up late or an early alarm if they want to watch live. The good news for England fans – and it has been in short supply so far – is that there are plentiful options to watch or listen live and watch all the highlights after each day's play. RadioTimes.com brings you all the details about Ashes highlights – including free-to-air highlights – for the 2025/26 series. Watch the Ashes live on TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video The Ashes 2025/26 highlights If you don't fancy demolishing your body clock for the Ashes (if not, why not?) you're covered with comprehensive highlights across BBC and TNT Sports. A highlights package will drop onto BBC iPlayer at 5pm UK time each day with brief analysis from Alex Hartley. TNT Sports will show a daily hour-long highlights shows each afternoon after play concludes. The Ashes 2025/26 on TV and live stream The Ashes will be shown live on TNT Sports. The series runs between Friday 21st November 2025 and Monday 8th January 2026 with full timings and dates in our complete Ashes 2025/26 schedule guide. There are multiple ways to get TNT Sports. If you already have BT Broadband, you can add TNT Sports to your existing contract from just £18 per month. You can add the ‘Big Sport’ package for £40 per month which includes all TNT Sports and 11 Sky Sports channels via a NOW pass. You can watch the series on TNT Sports via discovery+ Premium monthly pass without signing up to a contract. You can also access TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video and stream directly to your smart TV. Watch the Ashes live on TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video Regular subscribers can stream every ball on a variety of devices including laptops, smartphones and tablets via the discovery+ app. discovery+ is the streaming home of TNT Sports, showing events including live Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Premiership Rugby, UFC, Boxing and MotoGP. Learn more here: discoveryplus.com Check out more of our Sport coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
What time is lunch, tea and stumps in the Ashes 2025/26? Australia v England time and breaks explained
Your guide to timings during the Ashes 2025/26 in Australia.
England and Australia face off at the Sydney Cricket Ground for the 5th and final Test of the Ashes 2025/26. The urn will be staying Down Under, with the Aussies clinching a series win at the earliest opportunity, but the tourists showed their grit to bounce back with a victory at the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. That victory ended a 15-year wait for a Test win on Australian soil, ensured a 5-0 whitewash will be avoided, and restored some pride for Ben Stokes's side. They will be desperate to add another one as they look to end a disappointing tour with some positivity. <a id="menur5r7" class="fui-Link ___1q1shib f2hkw1w f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1s184ao f1mk8lai fnbmjn9 f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1nev41a f1h8hb77 f1lqvz6u f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" title="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/channel/d944a714-1f03-4662-8cf0-ca3aefb2f0ea?tag=radtim0b-21&ascsubtag=radiotimes-2344812" href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/channel/d944a714-1f03-4662-8cf0-ca3aefb2f0ea?tag=radtim0b-21&ascsubtag=radiotimes-2344812" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Link Watch the Ashes on TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video">Watch the Ashes on TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video More traditional Test conditions are expected at the SCG, where a number of England players and the management will have another chance to prove their mettle ahead of the postmortem to come when they get back home. For the final time this winter, fans in the UK will need to set their alarms or just stay up until the early hours to get their fill of Ashes cricket. RadioTimes.com brings you all the details about lunch, tea, and stumps during the Ashes 2025/26. What time does play start in the 5th Test of the Ashes 2025/26? The 5th Test of the Ashes 2025/26 between Australia and England is due to start at 11:30pm UK time. That is 10:30am local time (the next day) in Sydney. When is lunch in the 5th Test of the Ashes 2025/26? The 5th Test of the Ashes 2025/26 between Australia and England will break for lunch at 1:30am UK time. Play will break for 40 minutes before resuming with the afternoon session. When is tea in the 5th Test of the Ashes 2025/26? The 5th Test of the Ashes 2025/26 between Australia and England will break for tea at 4:10am UK time. Players will take a 20-minute break in the afternoon prior to the third and final session. When is stumps in the 5th Test of the Ashes 2025/26? The 5th Test of the Ashes 2025/26 between Australia and England is due to close each day at 7am UK time. The day can be extended for an extra half hour if the allotted overs have not been bowled in time, which they rarely are. The Ashes 2025/26 on TV and live stream The Ashes will be shown live on TNT Sports. There are multiple ways to get TNT Sports. If you already have BT Broadband, you can add TNT Sports to your existing contract from just £18 per month. You can add the ‘Big Sport’ package for £40 per month which includes all TNT Sports and 11 Sky Sports channels via a NOW pass. You can also access TNT Sports via discovery+ and stream directly to your smart TV. <a id="menur5r7" class="fui-Link ___1q1shib f2hkw1w f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1s184ao f1mk8lai fnbmjn9 f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1nev41a f1h8hb77 f1lqvz6u f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" title="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/channel/d944a714-1f03-4662-8cf0-ca3aefb2f0ea?tag=radtim0b-21&ascsubtag=radiotimes-2344812" href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/channel/d944a714-1f03-4662-8cf0-ca3aefb2f0ea?tag=radtim0b-21&ascsubtag=radiotimes-2344812" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Link Watch the Ashes on TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video">Watch the Ashes on TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video You can watch the Ashes on TNT Sports via discovery+ Premium monthly pass without signing up to a contract. Regular subscribers can also stream matches on a variety of devices including laptops, smartphones and tablets via the discovery+ app. discovery+ is the new streaming home of TNT Sports, showing events including live Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Premiership Rugby, UFC, Boxing and MotoGP. Learn more here: discoveryplus.com TNT Sports and discovery+ have exclusive live TV coverage of the Ashes, which can also be watched through Amazon Prime Video, while fans can listen to every ball of the series via Test Match Special on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra. Check out more of our Sport coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
The Ashes 2025/26 radio coverage: Listen to every ball live on radio and online
Your complete guide to radio coverage of the Ashes in 2025/26.
It's zero degrees outside, the world is a big, scary place, but you're ok, you're wrapped up in a duvet being carried to sleep by Test Match Special. It must be Ashes season. England fans would be forgiven for mistaking the events in Perth, Brisbane, and Adelaide as nightmares but there was finally some relief at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where the tourists ended their 15-year and 18-match wait for a Test victory on Australian soil. The late-night starts and early morning finishes make it tough for British fans to keep track of all the action, but they don't lack for options when it comes to coverage. BBC boast the rights to the series once again and the Test Match Special team are on hand to guide you through every single ball. Jonathan Agnew and the rest of the TMS team have been there every step of the way this winter and will be back in the commentary box at the Sydney Cricket Ground in the 5th and final Test. RadioTimes.com brings you all the details for radio coverage of the Ashes 2025/26 series. The Ashes 2025/26 on radio Test Match Special will broadcast live coverage of every ball from the Ashes in 2025/26 across BBC radio platforms throughout the series. The action will be live on either BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, the BBC Sport website or BBC Sounds app. BBC Radio 5 Live is available on DAB radio, MW 693 kHz, 909 kHz and 990 kHz, or you can tune into the station via most TV packages. Listen to the Ashes 2025/26 online Online radio coverage – including BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra – will be available on the BBC Sounds app or via the BBC Sport website. This is the easiest way to tune in to listen, with coverage available on a host of devices – from laptops and computers to portable devices such as smartphones and tablets. Check out more of our Sport coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
When is the next Ashes 2025/26 Test match? 5th Test dates and times
All the details ahead of the next Ashes Test match down under.
An Ashes tour down under can be a gruelling experience – both for the England players and the fans braving the early hours to follow proceedings from the UK. The dedicated supporters who have put in the hours to cheer on the tourists were finally rewarded at the Boxing Day Test. Ben Stokes's side beat Australia inside two days to end a 15-year wait for a Test win Down Under and ensure a 5-0 whitewash will be avoided. The Aussies's series win was secured weeks ago, so for England, the fifth and final Test in Sydney offers them a chance to sign off in the Southern Hemisphere with some positivity ahead of the postmortem that is coming back home. Watch the Ashes live on TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video The Sydney Cricket Ground has been a happy hunting ground for the tourists over the years. Indeed, England's record at the famous arena – 22 wins in 55 Tests – is better than anywhere else in Australia. RadioTimes.com brings you all the details ahead of the next Ashes Test match in 2025/26. When is the next Ashes Test match? 5th Test date and time All UK time and dates. The 5th Test of the Ashes 2025/26 series begins at 11:30pm on Saturday 3rd January 2026. It will take place at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney. The Ashes 2025/26 TV and live stream coverage The Ashes will be shown live on TNT Sports. There are multiple ways to get TNT Sports. If you already have BT Broadband, you can add TNT Sports to your existing contract from just £18 per month. You can add the ‘Big Sport’ package for £40 per month which includes all TNT Sports and 11 Sky Sports channels via a NOW pass. You can also watch the series on TNT Sports via discovery+ Premium monthly pass without signing up to a contract. Or access TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video and stream directly to your smart TV. Watch the Ashes live on TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video Regular subscribers can stream every ball on a variety of devices including laptops, smartphones and tablets via the discovery+ app. discovery+ is the streaming home of TNT Sports, showing events including live Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Premiership Rugby, UFC, Boxing and MotoGP. Learn more here: discoveryplus.com Check out more of our Sport coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
The Ashes 2025/26 schedule: Dates and times
The full Ashes 2025/26 schedule, including dates and times.
The Ashes has a knack of creeping up on you. One moment it's a far off destination, then all of a sudden the series finale in Sydney is here. England's manic victory at the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne restored some pride, ensured the tourists will avoid a 5-0 whitewash and ended the long wait – 15 years and 18 consecutive matches – for a win Down Under. Ultimately, however, it was too little, too late and came after the Aussies had already retained the urn at the earliest opportunity. Watch the Ashes live on TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video England will arrive at another of Australia's great sporting arenas – the Sydney Cricket Ground – determined to finish a disappointing tour with another victory but they can expect different conditions from the whirlwind Test that was done inside two days at the MCG. Injuries are likely to mean more changes to Ben Stokes's side, while the fifth and final Test could be the last chance for some in the ranks to save their place in the XI. RadioTimes.com brings you the full schedule for the Ashes in 2025/26. The Ashes 2025/26 schedule All UK times and dates. 1st Test in Perth (Optus Stadium): from 2:20am, Friday 21st November 2nd Test in Brisbane (The Gabba, day-night): from 4am, Thursday 4th December 3rd Test in Adelaide (Adelaide Oval): from 11:30pm, Tuesday 16th December 4th Test in Melbourne (MCG, Boxing Day Test): from 11:30pm, Thursday 25th December 5th Test in Sydney (SCG, New Year’s Test): from 11:30pm, Saturday 3rd January The Ashes 2025/26 TV and live stream coverage The Ashes will be shown live on TNT Sports. There are multiple ways to get TNT Sports. If you already have BT Broadband, you can add TNT Sports to your existing contract from just £18 per month. You can add the ‘Big Sport’ package for £40 per month which includes all TNT Sports and 11 Sky Sports channels via a NOW pass. You can also watch the series on TNT Sports via discovery+ Premium monthly pass without signing up to a contract. Or access TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video and stream directly to your smart TV. Watch the Ashes live on TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video Regular subscribers can stream every ball on a variety of devices including laptops, smartphones and tablets via the discovery+ app. discovery+ is the streaming home of TNT Sports, showing events including live Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Premiership Rugby, UFC, Boxing and MotoGP. Learn more here: discoveryplus.com Check out more of our Sport coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
The Ashes 2025/26 on TV in UK: How to watch Australia v England
Your guide to TV coverage of the Ashes 2025/26.
The Ashes 2025/26 wrap-up at the Sydney Cricket Ground as England aim to finish a disappointing tour of Australia with some positivity. Ben Stokes's side failed in their pursuit of regaining the urn, with the Aussies going 3-0 up after three Tests to clinch the series at the earliest opportunity, but came out swinging in the Boxing Day Test. England's triumph inside two days at the MCG was their first Test win Down Under in 15 years and ended a run of 18 consecutive matches without a victory. Watch the Ashes live on TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video The whitewash has been avoided but the tourists won't want to take their foot off the gas in Sydney and there is more than just pride on the line. Many of the players and, perhaps even the management, are likely still playing for jobs. RadioTimes.com brings you full details about TV coverage of the Ashes in 2025/26. The Ashes 2025/26 TV coverage The Ashes will be shown live on TNT Sports. The series runs between Friday 21st November 2025 and Monday 8th January 2026 with full timings and dates in our complete Ashes 2025/26 schedule guide. There are multiple ways to get TNT Sports. If you already have BT Broadband, you can add TNT Sports to your existing contract from just £18 per month. You can add the ‘Big Sport’ package for £40 per month which includes all TNT Sports and 11 Sky Sports channels via a NOW pass. The Ashes 2025/26 live stream You can watch the series on TNT Sports via discovery+ Premium monthly pass without signing up to a contract. You can also access TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video and stream directly to your smart TV. Watch the Ashes live on TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video Regular subscribers can stream every ball on a variety of devices including laptops, smartphones and tablets via the discovery+ app. discovery+ is the streaming home of TNT Sports, showing events including live Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Premiership Rugby, UFC, Boxing and MotoGP. Learn more here: discoveryplus.com Check out more of our Sport coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
What is a day-night Test match? Impact explained for Australia and England in Ashes 2025/26
Australia take a 1-0 lead into the 2nd Test of the Ashes 2025/26 at the Gabba after England's painful defeat in the opener at Perth. Ben Stokes's side will look to bounce back in Brisbane but the odds are against them. The tourists have won just four Tests in 92 years at 'the Gabbatoir' – so called because it has become a fortress for the Aussies – and not since 1986. In a change to tradition, the Gabba will host a day-night Test. So, how does that differ from a normal Test? And what impact could that have for England and Australia? RadioTimes.com brings you all the details about day-night matches ahead of the 2nd Test of the Ashes series 2025/26. What is a day-night Test match? While play across the five days of a normal Test match runs from the morning (around 11am) to early evening (around 6:30pm), a day-night Test starts in the afternoon (around 2pm) and finishes later in the evening (around 10pm). The three sessions and breaks in play remain the same length. For fans in the UK, play at the 2nd Test at the Gabba will start at 4am. Lunch will be taken at 6am UK time, with tea at 8:40am, and stumps will be 11am, unless an extra half hour is taken. As a result, it starts in daylight and finishes under the floodlights. Teams still wear Test whites and a pink ball is used instead of a red ball as it is easier to see under lights. They were introduced in Test cricket in 2015 in the hope of boosting the popularity of the game by allowing fans to attend after work or school and matches to be broadcast in primetime TV slots. The 2nd Test of the Ashes 2025/26 between Australia and England will be the 25th day-night Test played. What difference will it make for England and Australia in the Ashes 2025/26? The conditions – using a pink ball and playing under floodlights, particularly in the late evening session – are considered tougher for batters and are expected to favour Australia. The pink ball has an extra layer of lacquer, which means it swings more when it is new but goes dead after 20 or 30 overs, while it can often skid off the pitch and move quicker through the air. So, why is this good news for the Aussies? Well, put simply, Australia play more day-night Tests than any other nation. They have become a fixture of their schedule and, as a result, the Aussies are better adapted to the conditions. Australia have thrived in day-night Tests, winning 13 of the 14 they have played, while Mitchell Starc, who terrorised England in Perth, has more wickets with the pink ball than any other bowler (81 at an average of 17.08). The tourists, meanwhile, have lost five of the seven day-night Tests they have played, including two on past Ashes tours Down Under. "It makes a lot of difference," TNT Sports pundit and former England bowler Ebony Rainford-Brent told RadioTimes.com about using the pink ball. "It is very different to a conventional red ball. It adds drama, different conditions with the light changes, and a lot of nuances to work with." Rainford-Brent also highlighted how the change to the schedule for day-night matches can impact the players. "It's exhausting," she said. "That's the thing that fans might not get their head around. "Players can feel exhausted after a session, after a day, because of the stimulation. You take a day-night Test and you're going to be wired in the morning anyway because there's a lot going on that you need to mentally prepare for. Then you're starting the game and finishing late. "Players like Steve Smith talk about never sleeping. Imagine your sleep is disrupted. You're playing the most physically demanding form of the game and you're on constantly. You're not going to get the sleep and rest you need. "Players are going to be, tactically, trying to work it out. How do they get that rest and sleep? How do they stay switched off long enough in the morning but then switch on at the right time for the game that starts later in the day? "It's all these sorts of things behind the scenes that the teams will be trying to tweak to get those timings perfect. It's not easy. "That's the challenge with a day-night Test, just constantly being mentally on with all the stimulation on top of the physical tiredness." The Ashes 2025/26 TV and live stream coverage The Ashes will be shown live on TNT Sports. There are multiple ways to get TNT Sports. If you already have BT Broadband, you can add TNT Sports to your existing contract from just £18 per month. You can add the ‘Big Sport’ package for £40 per month which includes all TNT Sports and 11 Sky Sports channels via a NOW pass. You can also watch the series on TNT Sports via discovery+ Premium monthly pass without signing up to a contract. Or access TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video and stream directly to your smart TV. Watch the Ashes live on TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video Regular subscribers can stream every ball on a variety of devices including laptops, smartphones and tablets via the discovery+ app. discovery+ is the streaming home of TNT Sports, showing events including live Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Premiership Rugby, UFC, Boxing and MotoGP. Learn more here: discoveryplus.com Check out more of our Sport coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Why is the pink ball being used in the Ashes 2025/26? Effects and differences explained
England and Australia will be playing with a different ball at the Gabba...
England's decision not to send any of their first-choice batters to a pink-ball warm-up match ahead of the 2nd Test has caused quite a storm. The tourists have made a nightmare start to the Ashes 2025/26, surrendering a strong position and falling to a dismal defeat inside two days at the series opener in Perth. They now head to the Gabba – nicknamed 'the Gabbatoir' due to touring teams' struggles at the Brisbane ground – in search of a response. Watch the Ashes live on TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video The 2nd Test will be a day-night match, which means later hours of play, the floodlights on, and the use of a pink ball. But what is it about the latter that has led the media and many fans to fume at England's decision not to send their struggling batters to play in a warm-up match to adapt to conditions? RadioTimes.com brings you all the details about the pink ball and the impact it will have in the 2nd Test of the Ashes 2025/26. Why will a pink ball be used in the 2nd Test of the Ashes 2025/26? A pink ball will be used in the 2nd Test of the Ashes 2025/26 at the Gabba, in Brisbane, because it is a day-night match, and they offer better visibility than red balls under floodlights. Day-night matches start in the afternoon and play into the evening, which means they are played during daylight and under floodlights. Red balls, which are traditionally used in Test cricket, are difficult to see under floodlights and so a pink alternative has been used in day-night matches in the longer form of the game since 2015. While the pink ball is made up of mostly the same materials and must follow the same weight, diameter, and circumference specifications as the red ball, it does behave differently. What difference will the pink ball make? The general consensus is that the pink ball is harder for batters to face, and it could prove advantageous for Australia at the Gabba. The extra layer of lacquer – the shiny polish that coats the outside of the ball – that is applied to it after painting to ensure it keeps its colour, as well as a less prominent seam, means it swings differently than the red ball, which is darkened with wax rather than painted. It swings dramatically when it is new, particularly under floodlights, but often goes dead after 20 or 30 overs. That is exaggerated with Kookaburra balls in Australia, which tend to swing early and go dead. The additional lacquer also means it often skids more off the surface and moves faster through the air, which can cause problems for batters and fielders in close positions, such as the slips. The pink ball can be particularly difficult to face during the twilight hours, when the lights are on and batters are adapting to the change in conditions. As day-night Tests have become a fixture of the calendar in Australia, the Aussies are better adapted to using the pink ball. Bowlers like Mitchell Starc, who tore through England in Perth, have become particularly dangerous with it, while Australia boast an impressive record in pink ball matches – winning 13 of the 14 day-nightTests they have played. England, meanwhile, have lost five of their seven day-night matches, including two Ashes defeats. "It makes a lot of difference," TNT Sports pundit and former England bowler Ebony Rainford-Brent told RadioTimes.com. "It is very different to a conventional red ball. It adds drama, different conditions with the light changes, and a lot of nuances to work with." She explained: "It's when the ball comes under the lights in those later sessions, you've got a new ball and it starts to move. The reality is that the conditions can just change all of a sudden, the ball may be moving around for a bowler and then, very quickly, can just stop. "It's hard for England, who don't play day-night Tests regularly. Australia have it as a feature. They've worked out how that formula works for them. "Equally, a batter can come in and face the ball under lights and it's moving around, then the ball goes dead and it's really hard to score. "Navigating that takes a bit of skill. I think it's going to be important for England to understand that tactically. Our bowlers may have to change things up. "Someone like Jofra Archer might make quite good use of those conditions because he may be able to get the ball talking under the lights. "We're going to need to be strategic in working out what is going on with the ball. Then if it goes dead, try and find a way to continue to be aggressive." The Ashes 2025/26 TV and live stream coverage The Ashes will be shown live on TNT Sports. There are multiple ways to get TNT Sports. If you already have BT Broadband, you can add TNT Sports to your existing contract from just £18 per month. You can add the ‘Big Sport’ package for £40 per month which includes all TNT Sports and 11 Sky Sports channels via a NOW pass. You can also watch the series on TNT Sports via discovery+ Premium monthly pass without signing up to a contract. Or access TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video and stream directly to your smart TV. Watch the Ashes live on TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video Regular subscribers can stream every ball on a variety of devices including laptops, smartphones and tablets via the discovery+ app. discovery+ is the streaming home of TNT Sports, showing events including live Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Premiership Rugby, UFC, Boxing and MotoGP. Learn more here: discoveryplus.com Check out more of our Sport coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Why is the Ashes not on Sky Sports this year?
The Ashes will look different this winter.
Sky Sports may be the usual home of England Test cricket – but not this winter. Nasser Hussain, Mike Atherton and Ian Ward, along with regular guests including Stuart Broad, will not be the familiar faces guiding us all through every raucous moment of this inevitably topsy-turvy series. TNT Sports boast exclusive live TV coverage rights of the Ashes this time around. RadioTimes.com brings you all the details about the Ashes TV rights deal for 2025/26 – and why it won't be shown on Sky Sports. Watch the Ashes live on TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video Why is the Ashes not on Sky Sports this year? Ultimately, money talks. Sky Sports appeared to show little interest in bidding for the rights this time around, presumably due to the overnight nature of the action. In August 2025, TNT Sports signed a one-year deal with Cricket Australia to show their home Test matches, including the Ashes 2025/26 series. The deal means TNT Sports boast broadcast rights for all of England's winter tours this time around, including white-ball series' in New Zealand before and Sri Lanka after the Ashes. It also means Sky Sports won't show any England international cricket action between September 2025 and June 2026. This is the third successive Ashes series down under broadcast by TNT Sports – and predecessor BT Sport – and with the company seemingly tightening their grip on international tours, it would be no surprise to see them continue to pursue cricket TV rights. The Ashes 2025/26 on TV and live stream The Ashes will be shown live on TNT Sports. The series runs between Friday 21st November 2025 and Monday 8th January 2026 with full timings and dates in our complete Ashes 2025/26 schedule guide. There are multiple ways to get TNT Sports. If you already have BT Broadband, you can add TNT Sports to your existing contract from just £18 per month. You can add the ‘Big Sport’ package for £40 per month which includes all TNT Sports and 11 Sky Sports channels via a NOW pass. You can watch the series on TNT Sports via discovery+ Premium monthly pass without signing up to a contract. You can also access TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video and stream directly to your smart TV. Watch the Ashes live on TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video Regular subscribers can stream every ball on a variety of devices including laptops, smartphones and tablets via the discovery+ app. discovery+ is the streaming home of TNT Sports, showing events including live Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Premiership Rugby, UFC, Boxing and MotoGP. Learn more here: discoveryplus.com Check out more of our Sport coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
The Ashes 2025/26 on BBC: Coverage details
Your guide to Ashes coverage on the BBC.
Battle has commenced between England and Australia down under in the Ashes 2025/26 series. British-based fans have started reappraising their alarm clocks in order to catch the final session over breakfast, but with live coverage of the Ashes behind the TNT Sports paywall, what do BBC have to offer during the series? RadioTimes.com brings you all the details about Ashes coverage on BBC. The Ashes 2025/26 on BBC Radio The main way to follow the Ashes on BBC is to listen to Test Match Special on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sport website and app. Jonathan Agnew and the team will paint a picture of proceedings down under with a host of expert voices in tow, including Michael Vaughan, Glenn McGrath, Phil Tufnell and Alex Hartley, plus the usual data analysis from Andy Zaltzman. TV and online BBC Sport will be showing in-play video clips on their website during their live blogs, plus a full daily highlights package to be put on BBC iPlayer at 5pm UK time each day. There will be no terrestrial TV coverage of the Ashes across traditional BBC channels. Live TV coverage of every ball can be found on TNT Sports. Check out more of our Sport coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Meet the Ashes 2025/26 England and Australia squads: Full list of players
RadioTimes.com brings you all the details on England and Australia's squads for the Ashes 2025/26.
The war of words is over and the battle for the urn can finally begin. The Ashes 2025/26 are here – with the newest chapter in one of sport's oldest and fiercest rivalries set to be written this winter. <a id="menur5r7" class="fui-Link ___1q1shib f2hkw1w f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1s184ao f1mk8lai fnbmjn9 f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1nev41a f1h8hb77 f1lqvz6u f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" title="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/channel/d944a714-1f03-4662-8cf0-ca3aefb2f0ea?tag=radtim0b-21&ascsubtag=radiotimes-2344812" href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/channel/d944a714-1f03-4662-8cf0-ca3aefb2f0ea?tag=radtim0b-21&ascsubtag=radiotimes-2344812" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Link Watch the Ashes on TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video">Watch the Ashes on TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video An experienced Australian team, with a handful of modern greats likely playing in their last home Ashes, take on England's bold and brash Bazballers, who are trying to create history. Plenty of those who will line up across the five Tests were part of the fiery 2023 series in England, which finished in a 2-2 draw and saw the Aussies retain the urn. So, who will be pulling on the whites this winter? RadioTimes.com brings you all the details on the Ashes 2025/26 squads. Ashes 2025/26 squads Australia Australia are without three of the quicks in their squad, captain Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Sean Abbott, due to injury. Fast bowler Brendan Doggett and opener Jake Weatherald are set to make their Test debuts in Perth, with Steve Smith stepping up as skipper. The players selected in XI for the first Test in Perth are in bold. Pat Cummins (Captain, fast bowler) Sean Abbott (Fast bowler) Scott Boland (Fast bowler) Alex Carey (Wicketkeeper) Brendan Doggett (Fast bowler) Cameron Green (All-rounder) Josh Hazlewood (Fast bowler) Travis Head (Middle order batter) Josh Inglis (Middle order batter, wicketkeeper) Usman Khawaja (Opening batter) Marnus Labuschagne (Top order batter) Nathan Lyon (Off-spin bowler) Michael Neser (Fast bowler) Steve Smith (Vice captain, middle order batter) Mitchell Starc (Fast bowler) Jake Weatherald (Opening batter) Beau Webster (All-rounder) England England named a 16-player touring squad for the Ashes 2025/26. One of the big talking points was the lack of cover for first-choice spinner Shoaib Bashir, with the likes of Liam Dawson and Rehan Ahmed overlooked in favour of all-rounder Will Jacks. The players selected in the 12-strong squad for the first Test in Perth are in bold. Ben Stokes (Captain, all-rounder) Jofra Archer (Fast bowler) Gus Atkinson (Fast bowler) Shoaib Bashir (Off-spin bowler) Jacob Bethell (Batter) Harry Brook (Middle order batter) Brydon Carse (Vice captain, fast bowler) Zak Crawley (Opening batter) Ben Duckett (Opening batter) Will Jacks (All-rounder) Ollie Pope (Top order batter) Matthew Potts (Fast bowler) Joe Root (Middle order batter) Jamie Smith (Wicketkeeper) Josh Tongue (Fast bowler) Mark Wood (Fast bowler) TNT Sports and discovery+ have exclusive live TV coverage of the Ashes, which can also be watched through Amazon Prime Video, while fans can listen to every ball of the series via Test Match Special on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra. Check out more of our Sport coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
TNT Sports expert's Ashes predictions: Winner, top run-scorer, most wickets, player of the series
TNT Sports expert Ebony Rainford-Brent tells RadioTimes.com her predictions for the Ashes 2025/26.
The talking is finally over. The Ashes 2025/26 gets off and running at the Optus Stadium in Perth as England look to make a fast start against Australia. Wins down under have been few and far between for English teams but could the bold and assertive way Ben Stokes's side play their cricket help them create the history they crave? Can Joe Root continue his remarkable form and end his wait for a Test century in Australia? And can England's pace attack tear through the Aussie batting order, perhaps even unsettling Steve Smith? To answer all those questions and plenty more, RadioTimes.com sat down with TNT Sports expert Ebony Rainford-Brent to get her predictions for the Ashes 2025/26. <a id="menur5r7" class="fui-Link ___1q1shib f2hkw1w f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1s184ao f1mk8lai fnbmjn9 f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1nev41a f1h8hb77 f1lqvz6u f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" title="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/channel/d944a714-1f03-4662-8cf0-ca3aefb2f0ea?tag=radtim0b-21&ascsubtag=radiotimes-2344812" href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/channel/d944a714-1f03-4662-8cf0-ca3aefb2f0ea?tag=radtim0b-21&ascsubtag=radiotimes-2344812" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Link Watch the Ashes on TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video">Watch the Ashes on TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video Ebony Rainford-Brent's Ashes 2025/26 predictions Result: England 3-2 Australia "I think England can do this. My gut feeling is that Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood might not necessarily make Tests one and two. England will come out of the blocks and will get ahead, one or maybe two up. "Australia are good, they have done it and come back in other series so we're going to have a bit of a battle but because of that head start, England are going to do it. "So I'm going 3-2 England. I know that is super positive and I sound like a dreamer but I just have this feeling that if it's going to happen, after watching Ashes cricket for 20 years, that it's going to happen with a team that are psychologically on the front foot. Australia have major issues in terms of injuries and struggles at the top of the order, which could be exploited by Jofra Archer and Mark Wood bowling. "I'm going for it – 3-2. England get ahead, pull back and then take it down." Top run scorers: Joe Root (England) & Steve Smith (Australia) "I think, without doubt, for Australia, it's going to be Steve Smith. Just look at him now, he's just come off a hundred a couple of games ago and two half-centuries in the Sheffield Shield. "He knows what he's doing. He's stepping into captaincy and he's comfortable with leadership. He won't be fazed by any of this. He's going to be a run machine and is just a difficult character to get out. So, I think he will be churning them out. "For England, I'm going to go Joe Root. I know he's not scored a century in Australia but I just feel it's going to come good for him. Ashes are career-defining moments; he's defined his career and I do think there are going to be tough moments where you need that player who can get through session after session. "I'm going to bank my hopes on him with maybe a few cameos from Ben Stokes and Harry Brook later but think if there is a reliable person. He's going to get his mindset and technique right for this and come good." Most wickets: Jofra Archer (England) & Scott Boland (Australia) "I think it's going to end up being someone like Scott Boland. Australian bowling woes might play throughout the series due to injuries so we might not get the consistency of Pat Cummins or Josh Hazlewood playing all the way through. "Mitchell Starc will be dangerous – but Scott Boland, if he goes on a run in that first Test. Even though it bounces, it does have a bit of movement that he's been known to exploit. I think if he gets on a run, and he's done it to England in Australia before, he could end up being that reliable pro that makes you think: Why has he not played more for Australia? "For England, I'm definitely backing Jofra Archer. A lot of people have said he hasn't been fit. I've watched him all summer and he looks fit. He's bowled throughout. Look at his record and even when he came back, he's bowling consistently fast, with consistent movement and he looks fit. "If he's in good order, which I think he will be, then I think he could be dangerous." Player of the series: Joe Root (England) "I know it sounds really corny. I just feel like it's got to be a reliable pro who has churned out all the runs. "It will be the story of his career that he's finally done it in Australia. He's held it together for England; he's been that workhorse and just consistently produced. Steve Smith might be close behind but that's my prediction." How to watch the Ashes 2025/26 on TV The Ashes will be shown live on TNT Sports. There are multiple ways to get TNT Sports. If you already have BT Broadband, you can add TNT Sports to your existing contract from just £18 per month. You can add the ‘Big Sport’ package for £40 per month which includes all TNT Sports and 11 Sky Sports channels via a NOW pass. You can also access TNT Sports via discovery+ and stream directly to your smart TV. <a id="menur5r7" class="fui-Link ___1q1shib f2hkw1w f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1s184ao f1mk8lai fnbmjn9 f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1nev41a f1h8hb77 f1lqvz6u f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" title="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/channel/d944a714-1f03-4662-8cf0-ca3aefb2f0ea?tag=radtim0b-21&ascsubtag=radiotimes-2344812" href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/channel/d944a714-1f03-4662-8cf0-ca3aefb2f0ea?tag=radtim0b-21&ascsubtag=radiotimes-2344812" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Link Watch the Ashes on TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video">Watch the Ashes on TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video You can watch the Ashes on TNT Sports via discovery+ Premium monthly pass without signing up to a contract. Regular subscribers can also stream matches on a variety of devices including laptops, smartphones and tablets via the discovery+ app. discovery+ is the new streaming home of TNT Sports, showing events including live Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Premiership Rugby, UFC, Boxing and MotoGP. Learn more here: discoveryplus.com TNT Sports and discovery+ have exclusive live TV coverage of the Ashes, which can also be watched through Amazon Prime Video, while fans can listen to every ball of the series via Test Match Special on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra. Check out more of our Sport coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Where is the Ashes 2025/26 series? Full list of stadiums and locations
Your complete guide to the Ashes 2025/26 stadiums in Australia, including stats, facts and pictures of every ground.
There is no tougher challenge in English cricket than an Ashes tour to Australia. England have won just five series down under since World War II and have not even won a Test there for the best part of two decades. Indeed, the combination of the scorching Southern Hemisphere skies and hostile hosts usually see the Poms torn apart in Australia's great sporting cauldrons. <a id="menur5r7" class="fui-Link ___1q1shib f2hkw1w f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1s184ao f1mk8lai fnbmjn9 f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1nev41a f1h8hb77 f1lqvz6u f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" title="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/channel/d944a714-1f03-4662-8cf0-ca3aefb2f0ea?tag=radtim0b-21&ascsubtag=radiotimes-2344812" href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/channel/d944a714-1f03-4662-8cf0-ca3aefb2f0ea?tag=radtim0b-21&ascsubtag=radiotimes-2344812" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Link Watch the Ashes on TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video">Watch the Ashes on TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video Each of the five Test venues for the Ashes 2025/26 will pose a different challenge for Ben Stokes' side as they battle to ensure things play out differently this winter. A shake-up to the usual schedule and the introduction of a new ground could be just what the tourists need to succeed where so many past England teams have failed. RadioTimes.com brings you full details of the five Ashes 2025/26 stadiums in Australia. Ashes 2025/26 stadiums 1st Test: Optus Stadium City: Perth Capacity: 61,000 The Optus Stadium will make its Ashes debut in the first Test of the 2025/26 series. The ground, which was opened in 2018, has taken over from the WACA as Perth's Test venue. While not quite as quick as its predecessor, the Optus Stadium is thought to have the fastest pitch in Australia, and there is expected to be a green tinge, which should make things tougher for the batters. The winners of all five of the Tests at the ground have been the team batting first, which will be food for thought for chase-happy England as they search for their first win in Perth since 1978. 2nd Test: The Gabba City: Brisbane Capacity: 37,000 It's called the Gabbatoir for a reason. The Brisbane Test ground, which has hosted cricket since 1895, has been a fortress for Australia and a place of nightmares for visiting teams. The Gabba usually hosts the series opener, an effective way to break the tourists' spirit, but it has been shifted to the 2nd Test and will be a day/night match. The pink ball is expected to hoop around in Brisbane as a result, which means a difficult five days for the batters. 3rd Test: Adelaide Oval City: Adelaide Capacity: 53,500 Traditionally, the most batter-friendly of the five Ashes stadiums, the Adelaide Oval, could be where Joe Root and co. pile on the runs and keep its iconic scoreboard busy. Chasing teams struggle at the Adelaide Oval; teams that win the toss and field lose 70 per cent of matches, which may be food for thought for Ben Stokes. 4th Test: Melbourne Cricket Ground City: Melbourne Capacity: 100,024 The MCG is Australia's most iconic and the home of the Boxing Day Test. If England can make it to Melbourne with the series still alive, something the tourists have not done for nearly 15 years, Ben Stokes' side could be on course for something special. The massive outfield could prove an issue for the visitors' boundary-hitters like Harry Brook but the MCG is a ground where the Aussies have struggled at times. 5th Test: Sydney Cricket Ground City: Sydney Capacity: 48,000 As so many before them have, the Ashes 2025/26 series will close out at the SCG. England have enjoyed playing in front of its famous green-roofed pavilion over the years – winning more Tests there than at any other ground. Sydney is the most spin-friendly of any of the five Ashes venues, which may give Australia and Nathan Lyon an advantage, while rain is often a factor and could have an unwanted influence on the series result. TNT Sports and discovery+ have exclusive live TV coverage of the Ashes, which can also be watched through Amazon Prime Video, while fans can listen to every ball of the series via Test Match Special on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra. Check out more of our Sport coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
The Ashes 2025/26 commentators: Meet the TNT Sports line-up and presenters
The full round-up of presenters, pundits and commentators across TNT Sport's coverage of the Ashes 2025/26.
The stage is set for a thrilling Ashes series. England are hunting a rare victory in Australia while the hosts aim to extend their dominance over the Poms on home turf. TNT Sports and discovery+ will be the home of the latest chapter in cricket's greatest rivalry after securing exclusive TV rights for all five Tests. There will be extensive coverage across all 25 days (or rather, nights, for those in the UK) of cricket, assuming every match goes the distance. TNT Sports' commentator line-up includes seven Ashes winners – Ebony Rainford-Brent, Sir Alastair Cook, Sir Jimmy Anderson, Justin Langer, Matt Prior, Graeme Swann, and Steven Finn – who will all be able to offer some vital insight during what is expected to be a rollercoaster ride. On top of their live coverage, the broadcaster will also show The Edge, a magazine show that will be on in a prime-time slot after each Test, picking out the key storylines and moments as the series goes on. <a id="menur5r7" class="fui-Link ___1q1shib f2hkw1w f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1s184ao f1mk8lai fnbmjn9 f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1nev41a f1h8hb77 f1lqvz6u f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" title="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/channel/d944a714-1f03-4662-8cf0-ca3aefb2f0ea?tag=radtim0b-21&ascsubtag=radiotimes-2344812" href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/channel/d944a714-1f03-4662-8cf0-ca3aefb2f0ea?tag=radtim0b-21&ascsubtag=radiotimes-2344812" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Link Watch the Ashes on TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video">Watch the Ashes on TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video "There's no doubt this is the biggest series," Rainford-Brent told RadioTimes.com in an exclusive interview ahead of the Ashes. "The goal is quite simple. It's to tell the story of what's going on and the only way I'm going to be able to tell the story is by being in it. "Being in every moment and being able to communicate with my experience of over a decade of coverage, and then over 20 years of playing the game, being able to pull out the stories." RadioTimes.com brings you a round-up of the Ashes 2025/26 presenters, pundits and commentators on TNT Sports in the weeks ahead. Who is presenting the Ashes 2025/26 on TV? TNT Sports Ashes coverage 2025/26 line-up Ashes presenters Becky Ives Craig Doyle (The Edge) Ashes pundits Sir Alastair Cook Graeme Swann Steven Finn Sir Jimmy Anderson Justin Langer Matt Prior Ashes commentators Alastair Eykyn Rob Hatch Ebony Rainford-Brent (Co-comms) Sir Alastair Cook (Co-comms) Graeme Swann (Co-comms) Steven Finn (Co-comms) Justin Langer (Co-comms) TNT Sports and discovery+ have exclusive live TV coverage of the Ashes, which can also be watched through Amazon Prime Video, while fans can listen to every ball of the series via Test Match Special on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra. Check out more of our Sport coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Who has won the Ashes most? Head-to-head record and overall series results
Your round-up of how many Ashes series victories have been recorded by England and Australia.
First played in 1882, the Ashes is cricket’s oldest international series – and to many it is the sport's greatest rivalry. England and Australia have done battle every couple of years since the late 19th century, alternating host country - aside from back-to-back series in Australia in 1886-87 and 1887-88 and in England in the 1970s. Being part of an Ashes-winning team can define a career. It is where cricketers become national heroes, and where legacies are so often defined - whether we look back to Bodyline, the Ball of the Century or Ben Stokes’s heroics in 2019. RadioTimes.com brings you all the details about who has won the Ashes most in history. <a id="menur5r7" class="fui-Link ___1q1shib f2hkw1w f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1s184ao f1mk8lai fnbmjn9 f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1nev41a f1h8hb77 f1lqvz6u f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" title="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/channel/d944a714-1f03-4662-8cf0-ca3aefb2f0ea?tag=radtim0b-21&ascsubtag=radiotimes-2344812" href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/channel/d944a714-1f03-4662-8cf0-ca3aefb2f0ea?tag=radtim0b-21&ascsubtag=radiotimes-2344812" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Link Watch the Ashes on TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video">Watch the Ashes on TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video How many times have Australia won the Ashes? AUSTRALIA ASHES WINS – 34 Australia have won 34 Ashes series and 152 of the 361 Ashes Tests played overall. However, just 14 of Australia’s 34 series wins have come in England, and they have won only 30.1% of their Ashes Tests played in England, compared with 52.3% on home soil. The Aussies have not won a series in England since their triumph in 2001. That series marked the end of Australia’s most dominant Ashes period, which included four consecutive series wins in England and eight overall, starting with the success in 1989. Australia have had two other spells of holding the urn for six straight series. They won five of six series (drawing the other) between 1934 and 1950-51. They also went undefeated between 1958-59 and 1968, albeit with three drawn series during that period. They head into the 2025/26 Ashes having held the urn for the previous four series – two 4-0 wins in Australia and two 2-2 draws in England. In the Women’s Ashes, Australia have won nine of 23 series. How many times have England won the Ashes? ENGLAND ASHES WINS – 32 England have won 32 of 73 Ashes series and won 122 of 356 Ashes Tests since the first series in the early 1880s. Of their 32 series wins, 18 have come in England. Seven Ashes series have been drawn overall, five of which were held in England. England are undefeated in home Ashes series since 2001, winning in 2005, 2009, 2013 and 2015 before hard-fought series draws in 2019 and 2023. This represents a very strong period of home Ashes play for England, which also featured the historic 3-1 win down under in 2010-11. The first eight Ashes were won by England. Since then, they have never won more than three series in a row. They head to Australia searching for their first win down under since 2010/11 and looking to get their hands on the urn after more than a decade of Aussie possession. England have won six of 23 series in the Women’s Ashes. Past Ashes series results The last Ashes series, which was played in England in 2023, ended in a 2-2 draw. Australia raced out to a 2-0 lead thanks to thrilling wins at Edgbaston and Lord's but the hosts fought back and won at Headingley. England were on course for a famous victory in the fourth Test at Old Trafford before the rain saved the Aussies. Their lead would not last long, however, as led by the retiring Stuart Broad, Ben Stokes' side won and levelled the series on the final day at the Oval. The last series down under, which was played during Covid, made for grim viewing for English fans and finished in a comprehensive 4-0 win for Australia. England have not won an Ashes series since 2015 and have not won away since 2010/11. Australia have tended to win emphatically at home, with a pair of 4-0 wins and a couple of whitewashes since 2005, while England’s heaviest series win was their 3-0 in 2013. Last five Ashes series results 2023: England 2-2 Australia 2021-22: Australia 4-0 England 2019: England 2-2 Australia 2017-18: Australia 4-0 England 2015: England 3-2 Australia How to watch the Ashes on TV and live stream The Ashes will be shown live on TNT Sports. There are multiple ways to get TNT Sports. If you already have BT Broadband, you can add TNT Sports to your existing contract from just £18 per month. You can add the ‘Big Sport’ package for £40 per month which includes all TNT Sports and 11 Sky Sports channels via a NOW pass. You can also access TNT Sports via discovery+ and stream directly to your smart TV. <a id="menur5r7" class="fui-Link ___1q1shib f2hkw1w f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1s184ao f1mk8lai fnbmjn9 f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1nev41a f1h8hb77 f1lqvz6u f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" title="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/channel/d944a714-1f03-4662-8cf0-ca3aefb2f0ea?tag=radtim0b-21&ascsubtag=radiotimes-2344812" href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/channel/d944a714-1f03-4662-8cf0-ca3aefb2f0ea?tag=radtim0b-21&ascsubtag=radiotimes-2344812" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Link Watch the Ashes on TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video">Watch the Ashes on TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video You can watch the Ashes on TNT Sports via discovery+ Premium monthly pass without signing up to a contract. Regular subscribers can also stream matches on a variety of devices including laptops, smartphones and tablets via the discovery+ app. discovery+ is the new streaming home of TNT Sports, showing events including live Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Premiership Rugby, UFC, Boxing and MotoGP. Learn more here: discoveryplus.com TNT Sports and discovery+ have exclusive live TV coverage of the Ashes, which can also be watched through Amazon Prime Video, while fans can listen to every ball of the series via Test Match Special on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra. Check out more of our Sport coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
TMS Ashes expert Phil Tufnell reveals what England must do this week to win in Australia
Phil Tufnell believes England must embrace the hostile conditions in Australia if they are to win the Ashes.
England must embrace the hostile conditions in Australia as making a strong start is crucial to their hopes of winning the Ashes this winter, according to Test Match Special commentator Phil Tufnell. The five-match Test series gets under way at the Optus Stadium in Perth this week, where Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum's side will look to lay a marker. Australia are without captain Pat Cummins and seamer Josh Hazlewood for the first Test, while England quick Mark Wood was given the go-ahead to play after a precautionary scan on his hamstring. That is a major boost for the tourists, who are searching for their first win Down Under since 2011/12 and just their sixth since the Second World War. Ashes series tend to start in dramatic fashion – be it a booming Zak Crawley cover drive, Rory Burns's golden duck, or Steve Harmison's first ball wide to slip – in what often sets the tone for the rest of the series. "I won't be watching the first ball, I've seen too many," said Tufnell. "I played when Phillip DeFreitas bowled a nice delivery outside off and Michael Slater carved it over point for a one-bounce four." On making a strong start, he added: "It's going to be crucial, of course it is. England will really want to put the old flag in the ground and get off to a great start. "If you go Down Under, you want to get off to a good start. You want to put pressure on. You want to get them scratching their heads and wandering around, the opposing team. That little bit of disharmony. "I think it's going to be full throttle, it really is. I don't think there's going to be a backwards step from either side with those pace bowlers, the way we bat, the likes of Travis Head and those guys. "I think it's going to be X-certificate but if we can get over the line or put in a really good performance, if we can nick that first Test match, wow. It'll go a hell of a long way to building that confidence in the side. You feel a bit taller walking around Australia. You just get that bit of swagger on." Since their arrival Down Under, England have faced the usual barrage from the Australian newspapers and ex-players but as Tufnell explains, it's more than just the media that makes it such a hard place to go. He said: "You take on every layer of Australian society when you go over there, whether it's the bloke opening the bloody door at the hotel for you, the bloke making your breakfast or the guy driving the bus on the way to the ground. You know you're in it, you really do. "These guys have played up the pressure. They've played in front of big crowds. They know what's happening. They know but it will still be a factor and you still have to sort of embrace it. "The Barmy Army being there, the ex-pats being there and everything, it will go a long way to making sure they're not feeling they're all alone and out there against the whole of a country baying for their blood. "It's going to be great to see everyone down there, they'll be in full voice and they'll be cheering the boys on from ball one to the last over. "It's just about feeling comfortable in those surroundings and feeling that you can go out there and play your natural game. "You don't take a sort of backwards step and just being able to go out there, the Barmies are there and you're feeling confident and prepared, you're feeling confident to go out there and face them down." Tufnell knows all too well how tough it is to beat Australia, having not won the Ashes during an 11-year England career, but he never shied away from the hostile crowds. "I sort of gave a little bit back," he said. "I quite enjoyed it in a funny sort of way. Listen, it's all good. It can get a little bit lively but you're playing in front of full houses so you've got to expect a little bit. "They're all big boys, they're all grown-ups, and they know how to handle themselves. "I used to give them a little bit back and if I occasionally got someone out, there was nothing better than walking back to fine leg or third man having just got Mark Waugh or David Boone out. "You used to give them a bit of the old 'have a bit of that'. You try and get them on your side. "I think this Australian crowd, even though they're very supportive of their own crowd, they also like a team that goes out there and plays good cricket – good, intense, aggressive cricket. "I think there might be a chance if England get on a bit of a roll. They like to see that. They don't want to see a 5-0, they want to see a good competition and if we can give them that then that will go a long way to, not getting them on our side, but perhaps warming to us a little bit more." England have shown in recent series – particularly their blockbuster clash with India over the summer – that they are not a team that shies away from a fight and Tufnell believes that approach could be vital in Australia. "It's all been building to this," he said. "These little building blocks have all been sort of getting pushed in place. This is what it's all about now. It's been building to this. I think this is why everyone is so excited about it. "Listen, these boys know they're going to be in for a fight. I don't think there'll be a backwards step from my boys either, not at all. If they get a little bit, we'll give a little bit back. "That comes from the skip and how he leads them. There aren't too many backwards steps from Ben Stokes, so they'll be right behind. All the boys are right behind each other in this team, I tell you." TNT Sports and discovery+ have exclusive live TV coverage of the Ashes, which can also be watched through Amazon Prime Video, while fans can listen to every ball of the series via Test Match Special on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra. Check out more of our Sport coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Highest wicket takers in the Ashes all time
Which superstar bowlers have taken more wickets in the Ashes than anyone else?
For an Englishman or Australian, no wicket means more than one taken in the Ashes. To become one of the most successful bowlers in cricket's greatest rivalry requires immense skill, steely determination and prolonged success. The players who top the list of Ashes wicket takers are greats of the game. They have bowled their sides to Ashes wins, turned series, and helped to deliver the urn. Not only that, they have also consistently contributed even when others are taking the headlines No current England or Australia bowler makes the top five list but both Mitchell Starc (97) and Pat Cummins (91) will hope to reach 100 Ashes wickets this winter. RadioTimes.com brings you the five bowlers with the most Ashes wickets taken. <a id="menur5r7" class="fui-Link ___1q1shib f2hkw1w f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1s184ao f1mk8lai fnbmjn9 f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1nev41a f1h8hb77 f1lqvz6u f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" title="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/channel/d944a714-1f03-4662-8cf0-ca3aefb2f0ea?tag=radtim0b-21&ascsubtag=radiotimes-2344812" href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/channel/d944a714-1f03-4662-8cf0-ca3aefb2f0ea?tag=radtim0b-21&ascsubtag=radiotimes-2344812" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Link Watch the Ashes on TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video">Watch the Ashes on TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video Most wickets taken in the Ashes 5. Dennis Lillee – 128 wickets Half of cricket’s most fearsome bowling duo, Dennis Lillee is one of the all-time greats. The open shirt, trademark moustache and gigantic delivery stride were a terrifying combination for batters around the world, and English batters in the Ashes were no exception. Lillee was a tearaway pre-injury. Hostile, quick and always aggressive, he made a habit of torturing England’s batters to the tune of a 22.32 average in the Ashes. By the time of his retirement in 1984, he was the leading Test wicket taker in history. 4. Hugh Trumble – 141 wickets Playing between 1890 and 1904, all of Hugh Trumble’s Test wickets came in Ashes battles. Standing at 6’4", Trumble bowled quick off-spin, which was particularly difficult to face on the soft, uncovered pitches in England. His bounce challenged batters in Australia, too, where he was able to mix it up to remain effective. W.G. Grace named Trumble as the best bowler Australia had sent to England, such was his gift for varying his pace and his immense accuracy to land the ball in the right spot. He has the best Ashes bowling average of anyone to take over 101 wickets. 3. Stuart Broad – 153 wickets Stuart Broad has been through it all in the Ashes – from pantomime villain to drubbings down under and series-defining performances. Broad burst onto the scene in 2009, delivering a magic spell for England to regain the urn. He has had low moments since then, including some major struggles in Australia, but there have been plenty of highs along the way. The 8-15 at Trent Bridge in 2015 broke a catalogue of records and won England the series. In 2019, he tormented David Warner on his way to 23 wickets at an average of 26.65. Fittingly, he bowed out of Test cricket in the final Test of the 2023 Ashes series. Having announced his retirement the night before the final day, Broad bowled England to a victory that ensured the series was drawn. 2. Glenn McGrath – 157 wickets Glenn McGrath has the lowest Ashes strike rate of any bowler with over 87 wickets. Monotonous in his control of line and length, McGrath’s bowling was perfectly suited to English conditions. He averaged under 20 with the ball in England, taking advantage of seam movement and constantly challenging the outside edge of English batters. He was not exactly a liability for the Aussies in home conditions either. Invariably making breakthroughs with the new ball, McGrath played an integral role in Australia’s Ashes supremacy through the 1990s and early 2000s. The spectacular 2005 series might have turned out very differently if he didn’t stand on a ball during the Edgbaston warm-ups. 1. Shane Warne – 195 wickets In six more Ashes Tests than his long-time teammate, Shane Warne collected 38 more wickets. Warne thrived on the intensity of Ashes cricket, often leaving English batting line-ups bewildered. He produced many highlight dismissals from the Ball of the Century through to ripping past Andrew Strauss’s cut shot in 2005. It was in 2005 that Warne delivered his best Ashes performance, with 40 wickets at an average under 20. Where some of his teammates were villains to English fans, Warne was generally adored by cricket fans around the world. A ferocious competitor, a master of kidology and an incredibly skilled bowler, Warne is the greatest spin bowler in cricket history. Many of his standout moments came in Ashes action. How to watch the Ashes on TV and live stream The Ashes will be shown live on TNT Sports. There are multiple ways to get TNT Sports. If you already have BT Broadband, you can add TNT Sports to your existing contract from just £18 per month. You can add the ‘Big Sport’ package for £40 per month which includes all TNT Sports and 11 Sky Sports channels via a NOW pass. You can also access TNT Sports via discovery+ and stream directly to your smart TV. <a id="menur5r7" class="fui-Link ___1q1shib f2hkw1w f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1s184ao f1mk8lai fnbmjn9 f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1nev41a f1h8hb77 f1lqvz6u f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" title="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/channel/d944a714-1f03-4662-8cf0-ca3aefb2f0ea?tag=radtim0b-21&ascsubtag=radiotimes-2344812" href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/channel/d944a714-1f03-4662-8cf0-ca3aefb2f0ea?tag=radtim0b-21&ascsubtag=radiotimes-2344812" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Link Watch the Ashes on TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video">Watch the Ashes on TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video You can watch the Ashes on TNT Sports via discovery+ Premium monthly pass without signing up to a contract. Regular subscribers can also stream matches on a variety of devices including laptops, smartphones and tablets via the discovery+ app. discovery+ is the new streaming home of TNT Sports, showing events including live Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Premiership Rugby, UFC, Boxing and MotoGP. Learn more here: discoveryplus.com TNT Sports and discovery+ have exclusive live TV coverage of the Ashes, which can also be watched through Amazon Prime Video, while fans can listen to every ball of the series via Test Match Special on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra. Check out more of our Sport coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Highest run scorers in the Ashes all time
The Ashes is a crucible that makes or breaks legends, but who are the finest run-scorers in the greatest series of all?
First played in the 1880s, Ashes records are some of the oldest in sport. The players with the most Ashes runs have enjoyed considerable success across multiple series in varying conditions. Inevitably, these players have been part of victorious teams, often enjoying periods of dominance in Test cricket’s most historic rivalry. The top five is dominated by Aussies, with one of their current greats aiming to climb higher in the 2025/26 series down under. No current England player makes the list but should Joe Root pile on the runs in Australia – we're talking 700+ – he could force his way onto it. RadioTimes.com brings you the five leading run scorers in Ashes history – as of the start of the 2025/26 series. <a id="menur5r7" class="fui-Link ___1q1shib f2hkw1w f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1s184ao f1mk8lai fnbmjn9 f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1nev41a f1h8hb77 f1lqvz6u f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" title="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/channel/d944a714-1f03-4662-8cf0-ca3aefb2f0ea?tag=radtim0b-21&ascsubtag=radiotimes-2344812" href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/channel/d944a714-1f03-4662-8cf0-ca3aefb2f0ea?tag=radtim0b-21&ascsubtag=radiotimes-2344812" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Link Watch the Ashes on TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video">Watch the Ashes on TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video Most runs scored in the Ashes 5. Steve Waugh – 3,143 runs Only Syd Gregory played in more Ashes Tests than Steve Waugh. Talismanic and ruthless as a captain, Waugh is the most successful skipper in modern Test history, leading two Ashes series wins, and claiming eight victories from nine Ashes matches as captain. As a batter, Waugh was very aggressive in his early days, but became more effective later in his career. A long-term back issue restricted the shots available to him at times, yet he remained incredibly imposing against both pace and spin bowlers. His Test average of around 51 was impressive, and he exceeded that in Ashes play with a mark of over 58. 4. Allan Border – 3,222 runs Captaining 28 Ashes Tests (six more than anyone else), Allan Border brought in a new era of Australian cricket. Border was a fierce warrior, averaging 55.55 in Ashes matches, and he instilled a hard-nosed attitude into the Australian team which they built on after his retirement to dominate the Test arena. A compact and in some ways limited batter, Border was not pleasing on the eye, and had an Ashes strike rate of under 43. He was stubborn, however, and very rarely gave his wicket away. 5. Steve Smith – 3,417 runs A modern great. Steve Smith is the only active player who makes the top five list. Smith was originally picked as a leg-spinning all-rounder but despite his unconventional technique, he has developed into perhaps the best batter in the modern era and one of the finest Australia have ever produced. A complete cricket obsessive, the 36-year-old has exceptional hand-eye coordination and is a brilliant shot-maker. However, what sets him apart is his determination, resilience and patience. It might not always be pretty but teams just cannot get him out. He has caused English bowlers headaches in previous Ashes series and will likely continue to do just that this winter. Smith climbed to third in the list of all-time Ashes run scorers in the 2023 series and will have Jack Hobbs in his sights. 2. Jack Hobbs – 3,636 runs Playing 41 Ashes Tests between 1908 and 1930, Jack Hobbs amassed 3,636 runs against Australia, making him the only Englishman in the top five Ashes run scorers. Hobbs notched 12 Ashes centuries, and was widely considered the best player of his era. Able to score around the ground, and with the technique to survive even in the most challenging conditions, Hobbs was one of the earliest cricketing stars. He was not necessarily the most elegant, but many have noted his quiet confidence and adaptability. 1. Don Bradman – 5,028 runs Accepted as the greatest batter in the history of the sport, Don Bradman averaged a shade under 90 in Ashes Tests, with a high score of 334. He was so dominant in 1930, scoring 974 runs in the series, that England adopted Bodyline for the 1932-33 tour, prompting further ill-feeling between the two teams. Bradman averaged only 56.57 in eight innings in the series, but he was back to his unstoppable best when Australia returned to England in 1934. England had no answer for Bradman’s brilliance throughout his career. His run tally in Ashes cricket is far clear of anyone else, and it’s one of Bradman's many records which look unbreakable. How to watch the Ashes on TV and live stream The Ashes will be shown live on TNT Sports. There are multiple ways to get TNT Sports. If you already have BT Broadband, you can add TNT Sports to your existing contract from just £18 per month. You can add the ‘Big Sport’ package for £40 per month which includes all TNT Sports and 11 Sky Sports channels via a NOW pass. You can also access TNT Sports via discovery+ and stream directly to your smart TV. <a id="menur5r7" class="fui-Link ___1q1shib f2hkw1w f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1s184ao f1mk8lai fnbmjn9 f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1nev41a f1h8hb77 f1lqvz6u f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" title="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/channel/d944a714-1f03-4662-8cf0-ca3aefb2f0ea?tag=radtim0b-21&ascsubtag=radiotimes-2344812" href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/channel/d944a714-1f03-4662-8cf0-ca3aefb2f0ea?tag=radtim0b-21&ascsubtag=radiotimes-2344812" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Link Watch the Ashes on TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video">Watch the Ashes on TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video You can watch the Ashes on TNT Sports via discovery+ Premium monthly pass without signing up to a contract. Regular subscribers can also stream matches on a variety of devices including laptops, smartphones and tablets via the discovery+ app. discovery+ is the new streaming home of TNT Sports, showing events including live Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Premiership Rugby, UFC, Boxing and MotoGP. Learn more here: discoveryplus.com TNT Sports and discovery+ have exclusive live TV coverage of the Ashes, which can also be watched through Amazon Prime Video, while fans can listen to every ball of the series via Test Match Special on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra. Check out more of our Sport coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
When does The Ashes 5th Test start? Date, time, location
All the details about the next Test match in The Ashes this summer.
England are searching for a draw as The Ashes 2023 draws to a close at The Oval this week. Australia were saved by the rain in Manchester to retain the urn, but an English victory to wrap up the series would see the result go down as honours even. The fifth Test is likely to be a tasty affair as England aim to draw level and deny Australia an outright victory, a result that would serve to heighten the infamy of the fourth Test at Old Trafford. Watch The Ashes live on Sky Sports The Ashes has spanned most of the summer with the series set to draw to a close on the 31st July – if the final Test at The Oval goes the distance. Fans will be determined to make the most of The Ashes as the action concludes, with those of an English persuasion hopeful of sending the Aussies on their way without the fanfare of winning the series. RadioTimes.com brings you all the details about the next Test match in The Ashes this summer. More from The Ashes: Ashes TV coverage | Ashes radio coverage | Ashes schedule | Ashes squads | Ashes predictions | Ashes highlights | Sky Sports Ashes commentators | Test Match Special Ashes commentators When does the 5th Ashes Test match start? The Ashes 4th Test begins at 11am on Thursday 27th July 2023. It will run up until Sunday 31st July, should the Test match go to a fifth day. Where is the next Test match held? The Ashes 5th Test will be held at The Oval in Kennington, London. The last Ashes Test match held on this ground saw England win by 135 runs. Jofra Archer claimed six wickets in the first innings before Stuart Broad and Jack Leach took four apiece in the second innings to bowl Australia out, short of the target. The Ashes schedule 2023 1st Test: England v Australia Date: Friday 16th – Tuesday 20th June Venue: Edgbaston Time: 11am 2nd Test: England v Australia Date: Wednesday 28th June – Sunday 2nd July Venue: Lord's Time: 11am 3rd Test: England v Australia Date: Thursday 6th – Monday 10th July Venue: Headingley Time: 11am Read more: Best cricket players in the world 2023 | Best cricket players of all time | Highest wicket takers in Ashes history | Highest run scorers in Ashes history 4th Test: England v Australia Date: Wednesday 19th – Sunday 23rd July Venue: Old Trafford Time: 11am 5th Test: England v Australia Date: Thursday 27th – Monday 31st July Venue: The Oval Time: 11am How to watch The Ashes on TV You can watch The Ashes live on Sky Sports Cricket and Main Event. You can add the Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Football channels for just £18 per month combined or pick up the complete sports package for just £25 per month. Find out more about the best Sky packages Live stream The Ashes online Sky Sports customers can live stream The Ashes via the Sky Go app on a variety of devices including most smartphones and tablets as part of their subscription. You can also watch The Ashes via NOW without signing up to a contract. NOW can be streamed through a computer or apps found on most smart TVs, phones and consoles. NOW is also available via BT Sport. If you’re looking for something else to watch, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide or visit our Sport hub for all the latest news. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
The Ashes squads 2023: Full England v Australia line-ups, 5th Test batting order and latest news
Check out the full England and Australia squads, predicted line-ups and batting orders at The Ashes in 2023.
The Ashes squads are locked in for the fifth Test with England fighting for pride and a draw after Australia retained the Ashes thanks to a downpour at Old Trafford last time out. England trail Australia 2-1 but despite flashes of brilliance over the last couple of outings, they are unable to claim a series victory. Jimmy Anderson is the big talking point ahead of the line-up announcement. He has struggled for wickets during this series with just four taken across three Test matches so far, but plenty will want to see him given a final Ashes appearance with the superstar bowler set to turn 41 on Sunday and his career on the verge of an ending. Watch The Ashes live on Sky Sports Cricket from £15 per month (limited time offer) England's batting line-up usually picks itself, with Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett to continue their fledgling opening partnership, while Moeen Ali looks set to cling onto the unfamiliar No.3 spot following Ollie Pope's injury. Australia are likely to keep faith in David Warner at the top of the order for a swansong appearance in England. He has been tormented by Broad in English conditions, and is set to retire from cricket over the course of the next year. RadioTimes.com brings you a full round-up of the England and Australia squads for The Ashes 2023. More from The Ashes: Ashes TV coverage | Ashes radio coverage | Ashes schedule | Ashes predictions | Ashes highlights | Sky Sports Ashes commentators | Test Match Special Ashes commentators England team – 5th Test line-up 4th Test XI Zak Crawley Ben Duckett Moeen Ali Joe Root Harry Brook Ben Stokes (C) Jonny Bairstow (WK) Chris Woakes Mark Wood Stuart Broad James Anderson Australia team – 5th Test line-up 4th Test XI Usman Khawaja David Warner Marnus Labuschagne Steve Smith Travis Head Mitch Marsh Cameron Green Alex Carey (WK) Mitchell Starc Pat Cummins (C) Josh Hazlewood England Ashes squad 2023 Ben Stokes (Durham, captain), Moeen Ali (Warwickshire), James Anderson (Lancashire), Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Harry Brook (Yorkshire), Zak Crawley (Kent), Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire), Dan Lawrence (Essex), Ollie Robinson (Sussex), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Josh Tongue (Worcestershire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), Mark Wood (Durham). Australia Ashes squad 2023 Pat Cummins (captain), Steve Smith (vice-captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Todd Murphy, Matthew Renshaw, Mitchell Starc, David Warner. How to watch The Ashes on TV You can watch The Ashes live on Sky Sports Cricket and Main Event. You can upgrade to the Sky Sports Cricket channel from just £15 per month as part of a limited time deal or pick up the complete sports package from just £24 per month. Find out more about the best Sky packages Live stream The Ashes online Sky Sports customers can live stream The Ashes via the Sky Go app on a variety of devices including most smartphones and tablets as part of their subscription. You can also watch The Ashes via NOW without signing up to a contract. NOW can be streamed through a computer or apps found on most smart TVs, phones and consoles. NOW is also available via BT Sport. Read more: Best cricket players in the world 2023 | Best cricket players of all time | Highest wicket takers in Ashes history | Highest run scorers in Ashes history If you’re looking for something else to watch, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide or visit our Sport hub for all the latest news. Take part in the Screen Test, a project from Radio Times and the Universities of Sussex and Brighton, to explore the role of television and audio in our lives. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
The Ashes TV coverage 2023: How to watch England v Australia cricket live
Your definitive guide to watching The Ashes 2023 on TV and live stream this summer.
The Ashes are not over yet, though England ambitions of claiming the urn are dead and buried following a wash-out Test match in Manchester. England dominated Australia in the fourth Test at Old Trafford and were firmly on course to level the series, but a multi-day deluge rained on the parade, quite literally, to end the match as a draw. Australia lead the series 2-1 with just the fifth Test at the Oval to play, meaning they will head back Down Under with the urn firmly in their hand luggage. That doesn't mean the Oval showdown won't have plenty of pride at stake given the circumstances of Australia's triumph. Watch The Ashes live on Sky Sports Cricket from £15 per month (limited time offer) Fans have relished the first four bouts of Ashes cricket this summer and will hopefully return for the final gambit as England seek to close out the series on a high. Sky Sports boast exclusive live coverage of all The Ashes drama across the five-Test series, while BBC will also serve up healthy portions of the action - so everyone can keep track of England's exploits. RadioTimes.com brings you a comprehensive round-up of how to watch The Ashes on TV, including the first Test schedule. More from The Ashes: Ashes radio coverage | Ashes schedule | Ashes squads | Ashes predictions | Ashes highlights | Sky Sports Ashes commentators | Test Match Special Ashes commentators How to watch The Ashes on TV You can watch The Ashes live on Sky Sports Cricket and Main Event. You can upgrade to the Sky Sports Cricket channel from just £15 per month as part of a limited time deal or pick up the complete sports package from just £24 per month. Find out more about the best Sky packages Live stream The Ashes online Sky Sports customers can live stream The Ashes via the Sky Go app on a variety of devices including most smartphones and tablets as part of their subscription. You can also watch The Ashes via NOW without signing up to a contract. NOW can be streamed through a computer or apps found on most smart TVs, phones and consoles. NOW is also available via BT Sport. The Ashes schedule 2023 1st Test: England v Australia Date: Friday 16th – Tuesday 20th June Venue: Edgbaston Time: 11am 2nd Test: England v Australia Date: Wednesday 28th June – Sunday 2nd July Venue: Lord's Time: 11am 3rd Test: England v Australia Date: Thursday 6th – Monday 10th July Venue: Headingley Time: 11am 4th Test: England v Australia Date: Wednesday 19th – Sunday 23rd July Venue: Old Trafford Time: 11am 5th Test: England v Australia Date: Thursday 27th – Monday 31st July Venue: The Oval Time: 11am Read more: Best cricket players in the world 2023 | Best cricket players of all time | Highest wicket takers in Ashes history | Highest run scorers in Ashes history The Ashes highlights BBC will broadcast Today at the Test on BBC Two, and on BBC iPlayer after the close of play each evening. The hour-long highlights shows will be presented by Isa Guha and will take you through all of the top moments throughout the day's play. Sky Sports will also show regular highlights and replays across their platforms throughout the series. Listen to The Ashes on the radio BBC Test Match Special has the rights to broadcast ball-by-ball commentary of The Ashes, with the team set to bring full coverage throughout every day of action. Broadcasts will be aired on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and via their online player with build-up of each match starting prior to the time listed above. If you’re looking for something else to watch, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide or visit our Sport hub for all the latest news. Take part in the Screen Test, a project from Radio Times and the Universities of Sussex and Brighton, to explore the role of television and audio in our lives. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
The Ashes dates 2023: Start time, fixtures, full series schedule
The Ashes is here for the summer and we've rounded up all the key dates and times for your diary.
Four Tests down, one to go. It has been a remarkable Ashes series, a stunning summer of cricket so far, but all good things must come to an end. Australia have retained the urn after a multi-day downpour at Old Trafford handed Pat Cummins' men a 'get out of jail free' card at the opportune moment with England in command and on the verge of levelling the series. Captain Ben Stokes will be keen to keep his men focused on the task of not losing this series, however. England can still draw the series 2-2 with a victory at The Oval, a result that would validate many of his decisions at the helm so far. Watch The Ashes live on Sky Sports Cricket from £15 per month (limited time offer) Fans across the country have been able to see Stokes and the gang in action without necessarily travelling to the capital for the privilege, though the fifth Test will see the teams clash in London to wrap up the series. It's time to draw out those diaries, open up the calendars, ring-fence those sweet days of Ashes action across five Tests and savour every moment – in the grounds, on TV or over the radio. The series draws to a close at The Oval in late July, when England will hope to lift the urn for the first time since 2015. RadioTimes.com brings you the full schedule for The Ashes in 2023, including dates and times for every match. More from The Ashes: Ashes TV coverage | Ashes radio coverage | Ashes squads | Ashes predictions | Ashes highlights | Sky Sports Ashes commentators | Test Match Special Ashes commentators The Ashes schedule 2023 1st Test: England v Australia Date: Friday 16th – Tuesday 20th June Venue: Edgbaston Time: 11am 2nd Test: England v Australia Date: Wednesday 28th June – Sunday 2nd July Venue: Lord's Time: 11am 3rd Test: England v Australia Date: Thursday 6th – Monday 10th July Venue: Headingley Time: 11am 4th Test: England v Australia Date: Wednesday 19th – Sunday 23rd July Venue: Old Trafford Time: 11am 5th Test: England v Australia Date: Thursday 27th – Monday 31st July Venue: The Oval Time: 11am Read more: Best cricket players in the world 2023 | Best cricket players of all time | Highest wicket takers in Ashes history | Highest run scorers in Ashes history How to watch The Ashes on TV You can watch The Ashes live on Sky Sports Cricket and Main Event. You can upgrade to the Sky Sports Cricket channel from just £15 per month as part of a limited time deal or pick up the complete sports package from just £24 per month. Find out more about the best Sky packages Live stream The Ashes online Sky Sports customers can live stream The Ashes via the Sky Go app on a variety of devices including most smartphones and tablets as part of their subscription. You can also watch The Ashes via NOW without signing up to a contract. NOW can be streamed through a computer or apps found on most smart TVs, phones and consoles. NOW is also available via BT Sport. If you’re looking for something else to watch, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide or visit our Sport hub for all the latest news. Take part in the Screen Test, a project from Radio Times and the Universities of Sussex and Brighton, to explore the role of television and audio in our lives. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
The best (and worst) Ashes cameo appearances in history
The Wisden Cricket Monthly team round up some of the greatest (and most infamous) cameos in Ashes history.
Amid Moeen Ali's late nod for the Ashes squad – and his own injury issues leading to the call-up of 18-year-old Rehan Ahmed – the Wisden Cricket Monthly team, featuring Jo Harman, Phil Walker and James Wallace, have rounded up some of the finest Ashes cameos in history. It’s not always about the headliners in Test cricket’s most celebrated jamboree. Here we pick out a selection of the bit parts and support acts who have made their presence felt, in one way or another, in Ashes series'. The Dukes of Edgbaston Reverse swing was fundamental to England’s 2005 win, but it was the ball which did nothing at all that changed the course of the series. Glenn McGrath had no answer to the most innocuous of deliveries on the first morning of the Edgbaston Test, collapsing in a crumpled heap and rupturing ligaments in his right ankle after standing on a stray cricket ball in the warm-up. Having been unplayable at Lord’s, the curse was suddenly broken. McGrath was sidelined for two Tests and averaged 36 for the remainder of the series. JH England’s 12th man Here in England, in the backyard of Bubbles, Eddie the Eagle and Liz Truss, it’s perfectly natural to leaven our own inadequacies by elevating the plucky no-hoper. While it’s much harder to picture those Type A beefcakes in the other room doing the same, here in England the limby sub in the baggy shirt is our guy: we all like to think we’re Gary Pratt, swooping in from obscurity to run out the great Ponting; failing that, we’ll definitely have some of Bilal Shafayat standing mid-pitch in a yellow bib, sifting through chestfuls of batting gloves, soaking up time and volleys of abuse. Most likely, of course, we’re Stephen Peters, lurking with intent with minutes to go, gathering cleanly, aiming and firing, and missing altogether. PW Ashton’s big day out A curveball selection for the series opener in 2013, Ashton Agar had made only a handful of first-class appearances when he was parachuted in for his Test debut at Trent Bridge and the 19-year-old spinner etched his name in Ashes history with an innings of brazen brilliance. Arriving at the crease with Australia struggling on 117-9, Agar dominated a 163-run stand with Phillip Hughes, eventually being dismissed for 98 – still the highest score by a No.11 in Test cricket – after smoking 14 sumptuous boundaries. “Was I kicking myself when I got out? Not really, I was absolutely delighted,” he said. But the joy was short-lived: Agar was dropped one Test later and hasn’t played in the Ashes since. JH Richard Ellison in ’85 He of the Magnum moustache and Brookside perm, stealing the ’85 Ashes with a four-wicket spell of late-swinging Englishness in the evening sunshine at Birmingham that saw him clean-bowl Allan Border with a beautiful break back for his 10th wicket in the game. He only played five more Tests, and was done with cricket by 33, but that corner of Edgbaston, and Border’s off-bail, would always be his. PW Fireman Sam The chaos that surrounded England’s 2021/22 Ashes omnishambles was perhaps best demonstrated by Sam Billings’s 820km drive from the Gold Coast to Sydney in the dying embers of a truly miserable tour. With Buttler and Bairstow unable to keep wicket, an SOS was sent to the Kent stumper shortly before he boarded a flight back to the UK following a stint in the Big Bash. He dutifully answered the call, the only snag being he couldn’t risk a flight because of the rising number of Covid cases and instead embarked on a 12-hour journey by car. After a spell in quarantine and rigorous testing Billings eventually received his Test cap at Hobart, where England succumbed inside three days and slumped to a 4-0 defeat. JH The lonesome death of Simon Kerrigan The Oval has witnessed a few sporting deaths and Simon Kerrigan’s in 2013 is right up there; a sweaty, scarring fever-dream of a debut, Kerrigan naked and tiny in a foreign field, gripping a strange orb with clammy palms as far off in the distance Shane Watson grows more multitudinous, the nightmarish yips made flesh on the grandest of stages. A Test career came and went in the totality of 48 balls, from which 53 runs were pilfered; it’s testament to Kerrigan’s resilience that he was still taking first-class wickets last summer. PW Colly stops the wobbles England’s 2005 triumph was built around Michael Vaughan’s determination to meet fire with fire but when it came down to the decider at The Oval, with the hosts needing only a draw to secure their first Ashes win for 18 years, the skipper went safety-first, drafting in an extra batter for the injured Simon Jones. Paul Collingwood faced 77 deliveries and scored a grand total of 17 runs, merrily scooping up an MBE as Shane Warne labelled his accolade an “embarrassment”. JH Broad’s copy of the Brisbane Courier-Mail When a psychological study was done of each member of England’s Ashes squad ahead of the 2013/14 series, Stuart Broad was one of only three players fitting the profile of someone who would thrive in the cauldron of Australian ultra-violence. Already despised across large swathes of the land for his nick-it-to-first-slip-and-shrug in the previous series – later estimated to be the first person in Ashes history to stand his ground after he’s edged it – Broad was delighted to find himself de-platformed by Brisbane’s ever-balanced Courier-Mail newspaper. And so, when ‘the English medium pacer’ took a five-bag on the first morning of the series, he swaggered into that evening’s press conference brandishing a copy of the issue, with its iconic front page featuring a STOP sign slapped across Broad’s beamingly smug visage. He’s been riling them up forever, even going so far as to declare the last series void. Never lose it, Stu. PW The wrong Taylor Australian cricket was in need of some sparkle after the hosts were thrashed by an innings in the Boxing Day Test of 1986, losing the series in the process. And so, when the selectors turned to Peter Taylor, a 30-year-old spinner struggling to find a place in the New South Wales side, it led journalists to speculate they’d dialled the wrong number and had intended to call up his namesake and NSW teammate, Mark. Given that Peter had made just six first-class appearances, the bemusement was understandable, but his selection proved a minor masterstroke. He took eight wickets on debut at Sydney and made a crucial 42 in Australia’s second innings to claim the Player of the Match award in a morale-boosting win. The ‘wrong Taylor’ went on to have a solid international career, playing 13 Tests and 83 ODIs before being usurped by Shane Warne. JH Hollies’ only Ashes Test “And Hollies pitches the ball up slowly and... he’s bowled. Bradman. Bowled. Hollies. Nought.” John Arlott there, struck dumb by the consequences of Eric Hollies’s speculative googly. The pint-sized wrist spinner, 36 at the time, would never play another Ashes Test. Didn’t need to. Bradman bowed to no man, except little Eric Hollies. PW The freaker At 3.15pm on Monday August 4th 1975, Lord’s was basking in 33-degree-heat on the fourth day of the second Ashes Test. With the game heading for a draw, the soporific afternoon session was given a jumpstart of sorts by one Michael Angelow. The 24-year-old had imbibed plenty of ale by mid-afternoon and duly accepted a bet from his surrounding (Australian) supporters. He slid free from his garments and sprinted onto the pitch in just his socks and trainers. Hurtling past a good length (ahem) he headed for the stumps, which he duly hurdled with aplomb... plums clacking over the bails like Newton’s pendulum. The moment was captured on camera and called by John Arlott in the commentary box, who, caught up in the excitement, forgot the word ‘streaker’. “We’ve got a freaker! Not very shapely and it’s masculine...” The bet was for £20 – the exact amount that Angelow was charged by the magistrate for his misdemeanour. JW X-man misses the spot “I don’t think I’m going to take 800 wickets in Test cricket,” conceded Xavier Doherty after he was called up for the 2010/11 Ashes, “but I hope to make some impact.” His first-class bowling average – 48 at the time – backed up his suggestion that he probably wasn’t the next Warne, but the Aussies hoped the fact that he bowled spin with his left-arm would be enough to nullify Kevin Pietersen. It quickly became clear, though, that the ‘X-Man’ possessed no superhuman abilities, the Tasmanian returning second-innings figures of 0-107 on debut at Brisbane and then going the distance at Adelaide (1-158 from 27 overs) as Pietersen mercilessly tucked into him on his way to a brutal double-century. JH Reginald’s obit In the 1882 Oval Test that started the whole thing, Fred ‘The Demon’ Spofforth snatched victory for Australia in a finish so tense that it caused a fatal heart attack for one spectator and another to gnaw through the handle of his brolly. England’s shock defeat even inspired the booze-soaked scribe Reginald Shirley Brooks to set aside his drink and curtail his womanising just long enough to pen the now-famous 40-word satirical obituary in The Sporting Times. Brooks died of his ‘excesses’ in 1888, aged just 33, but his playful prose afforded him Ashes mortality that would be the envy of his more dedicated peers. JW Mistaken identity Ashley Kerekes, a 22-year-old babysitter from Massachusetts, found herself at the centre of a social media frenzy during the 2010/11 Ashes when her Twitter handle led to her being confused with Test cricket’s longest-running rivalry. “Check profiles before you send mentions, it’s incredibly annoying and rude,” Ashley tweeted from her account, @theashes. And her frustration grew as the mentions flooded in. “I’M NOT A FREAKING CRICKET MATCH!!!!” she screamed at the Twittersphere. Happily, though, things turned out rather well for Ashley. With #gettheashestotheashes gaining traction, she was given complimentary flights to Sydney to see what all the fuss was about where she appeared on Test Match Special, met the Aussie PM and launched her own t-shirt range. JH Percy’s elevation The 1926 series was locked at 0-0 with one match to play when England’s selectors decided to hit the red button. They made five changes for the decider at The Oval, including recalling 48-year-old Wilfred Rhodes, a member of the selection panel, after a five-year absence. But the appointment of Percy Chapman as skipper, in place of the ousted Arthur Carr, caused the most puzzlement. The Kent dasher had almost no captaincy experience and had been dropped from the side only a match earlier. “Well, it’s news to me, complete news,” he replied when a reporter called to drop the bombshell. “Are you absolutely sure?” Percy cantered to 49 in England’s first innings and guided his side to a 289-run victory to take the series. Chapman went on to captain England in 17 Tests which included only two defeats and a 4-1 drubbing of Australia in 1928/29. JH Punter snaffles Vaughan Hocking up saliva into his hands and rubbing them in the dirt at silly point with features scrunched into a snarl, Ricky Ponting played the game hard. Level at one apiece in the ’05 series, you were more likely to see a sow somersaulting in the clouds above Trent Bridge than a flicker of a smile creep across Punter’s chops. That was until he took matters, and the ball, into his own hands towards the end of day one. With his opposite number Michael Vaughan having purred to a half-century, Ponting – with four Test wickets to his name across the best part of a decade, each celebrated with uncharacteristic abandon – brought himself on for a trundle. In the fifth over of his spell, he got the ball to shape away from a swishing Vaughan, who feathered an edge through to Gilchrist. A moment of pure elation for Ponting, who wheeled away in ecstasy. Off Vaughan trudged, destined to be called ‘Rabbit’ by his Aussie counterpart whenever the two met in the years to come. JW The ComBat A cricket bat, made of aluminium? Why ever not?! Dennis Lillee’s decision in 1979 to promote his mate’s innovation in a Test match backfired when he clumped a drive off Botham and the ball, having made a terrible clanging noise, failed to reach the boundary. Mike Brearley complained that the ball was getting damaged, Lillee got narked, and when his own captain Greg Chappell – peeved that Lillee’s shot had only resulted in three runs – came on to the pitch to demand he use a wooden one, Lillee hurled the offending article 40 yards away. The ComBat, swiftly declared illegal, was never seen again, and Lillee ended up with a garage full of unused gear. PW Sydney’s grab Sydney Copley’s career was going nowhere fast when he was summoned to perform 12th-man duties for England at Trent Bridge in 1930. Aged 24, he’d made a few unremarkable appearances for the Notts second XI but his agility in the outfield had caught the eye and when Harold Larwood went down with gastritis on day four, his chance to shine arrived. Chasing an unlikely target, Stan McCabe was refusing to go down gently and Maurice Tate warned Copley to watch out if he pitched it short. Sure enough, McCabe launched a short delivery from Tate towards mid-on and suddenly all eyes were on Copley. “Stan played it hard and low, not more than six inches off the ground,” he recalled. “I made many yards to reach it and with a terrific effort I seized the ball and turned a somersault, still clinging to the ball.” England went on to win but this was as good as it got for Sydney. He made his first-class debut the following week before drifting away from the professional game without making any further appearances. JH Beefy gets the gig Perennial Ashes bit-part player, Lord Ian Botham, was handed another cameo just in time for the last series, but this time by close chum and occasional PM Boris Johnson, who gave his Brexit-clinching helpmeet the role of the UK government’s official trade ambassador to Australia. The then international trade secretary Liz Truss, making her second appearance in these pages, cheerfully declared that Beefy would “bat for business Down Under” by boosting exports and promoting investment on the back of the two countries’ “historic trade deal”, an agreement which, when it kicked in earlier this year, was met with a fierce backlash from many British farmers, who felt their own beef had been seriously undervalued. Never. PW George Davis is everywhere For a time in the mid-Seventies, George Davis was the most famous alleged criminal in the land, whose conviction for armed robbery at the London Electricity Board offices in Ilford led to a concerted campaign of activism from Davis’s associates to quash the verdict. And so, on the final day of the 1975 Leeds Test, with England hopeful of cleaning up the Aussie tail and chasing down a target, fans turned up to find the words ‘SORRY IT [HAD] TO BE DONE’ daubed on the walls of the ground, followed by the legend: ‘FREE GEORGE DAVIS’, while inside the ground, ground staff surveyed the unsalvageable wreckage of the pitch, dug up overnight and its potholes filled with oil. As for Davis, in 1976 the home secretary Roy Jenkins granted his early release on account of insufficient and unreliable evidence; two years later, however, Davis pleaded guilty to an armed bank raid in Tottenham and served seven years, and three years after that he was jailed again, this time for stealing mailbags. PW OFFER FOR RADIO TIMES READERS: Subscribe to Wisden Cricket Monthly today for £45.99 Not only will you save 30% off the equivalent single issue price but you'll also receive a free storage binder (RRP £13.99 - conveniently, holds 10 magazines!) PLUS a free copy of The Best of First Five Years of The Nightwatchman, Wisden’s cricket quarterly (RRP £15). Enter the code RADIOWIS at the checkout to get the offer. If you’re looking for something else to watch, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide or visit our Sport hub for all the latest news. Take part in the Screen Test, a project from Radio Times and the Universities of Sussex and Brighton, to explore the role of television and audio in our lives. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Usman Khawaja watched Australia win first Ashes Test against England on TV
BBC Test Match Special commentator Alison Mitchell recalled her encounter with Australian star Usman Khawaja after winning the first Ashes Test.
Usman Khawaja couldn't bear to watch the remainder of Australia versus England in the first Ashes Test as the game hung in the balance at Edgbaston, according to BBC Test Match Special commentator Alison Mitchell. Khawaja racked up 141 runs in the first innings but fell on 65 with the score set at 209/7 with just Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood left to come in. Mitchell recalled a chat with Khawaja after the match where he admitted he thought he'd left too many runs on the board for the tail end to sweep up, and consequently trudged out of the dressing room into the bowels of the ground to watch the remainder of the match on TV instead. Listen to The Ashes radio coverage on BBC Test Match Special In an exclusive chat with RadioTimes.com, Mitchell said: "I spoke to Khawaja on the outfield after the game. Obviously he got out and there'd been a little bit of talk about how he hadn't really stepped on the run rate and worrying Australia were really losing momentum in that run chase. "First of all, he said he had a plan, he had intended to bat until the last hour and then step on and change gear but he got dismissed and he thought he'd left too many runs out there for the rest of them to get, so he went up into the dressing room and he couldn't bear to watch live. Test Match Special sets new record There was record breaking digital demand for Test Match Special (TMS) coverage across the BBC, with Tuesday’s final day of the first Test giving BBC Sounds its biggest day yet, with unprecedented figures for hours listened and signed in accounts. There were just under six million requests across BBC Sounds and BBC Sport (online and app) across the five-day Test with huge numbers especially tuning in on the last two days of play (19-20th June). "He went out to one of the rooms out the back of the dressing room and had it on a television screen, but the TV had a 40-second delay. He said it was awful, you would hear a cheer from outside, and a cheer kind of told him it was a wicket - yet he hadn't seen it on the screen. He was just sitting up there going, 'Please, no cheers, no cheers,' because that would obviously be the England support." Khawaja had cause for concern at the time, with England hunting down the remaining wickets with plenty of time left to accomplish their task, but a superb last stand from captain Cummins and spin bowler Lyon saw them rack up 60 between them to tip the visitors over the edge. Mitchell continued: "Then the winning runs were hit and he just heard the cheer from the dressing room and the Aussies, so he knew it was Australia's win. He just charged out of the dressing room, hadn't even seen it come up on the television screen at that point, but he heard the noise from the boys and just ran, and didn't know what happened after that! Just chaos. "There was so much nervous energy in the dressing room, he couldn't be in the balcony area watching. It reminded me of Mark Wood saying he watched the climax of the 2019 World Cup final sitting on a washing machine in the laundry room at the back of the dressing room. It was brilliant!" The Ashes 2nd Test begins on Wednesday 28th June live on Test Match Special via Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds. Daily TV highlights are available on BBC Two and iPlayer at 7pm, while the BBC Sport website and app is home to live text commentary, special features and in-play clips. More from The Ashes: Ashes TV coverage | Ashes radio coverage | Ashes schedule | Ashes squads | Ashes predictions | Ashes highlights | Sky Sports Ashes commentators | Test Match Special Ashes commentators If you’re looking for something else to watch, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide or visit our Sport hub for all the latest news. Take part in the Screen Test, a project from Radio Times and the Universities of Sussex and Brighton, to explore the role of television and audio in our lives. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Women's Ashes TV coverage 2023: How to watch England v Australia cricket live
Your definitive guide to watching the Women's Ashes 2023 on TV and live stream this summer.
The Women's Ashes will double the offering of live cricket on TV to savour this summer. England and Australia will lock horns in the men's and women's game, with Heather Knight's side set to go head-to-head in a multi-format 25th edition of the Women's Ashes. The series will consist of one Test match, three T20 encounters and three ODI clashes, with set numbers of points awarded for victory in each of the formats, leading to an ultimate victor. Watch Women's Ashes live on Sky Sports Cricket from £15 per month (limited time offer) Fans across the nation are currently engrossed with England's men and the Bazball revolution, but a crackling showdown between the women's teams would certainly capture attention. Sky Sports are doubling up on their cricket offering this summer, while BBC boast the rights to show the first T20 match. RadioTimes.com brings you a comprehensive round-up of how to watch the Women's Ashes on TV, including the first Test schedule. How to watch Women's Ashes on TV You can watch the Women's Ashes live on Sky Sports Cricket and Main Event. You can upgrade to the Sky Sports Cricket channel from just £15 per month as part of a limited time deal or pick up the complete sports package from just £24 per month. Find out more about the best Sky packages The first T20 match will also be shown live on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer on free-to-air TV. Live stream Women's Ashes online Sky Sports customers can live stream the Women's Ashes via the Sky Go app on a variety of devices including most smartphones and tablets as part of their subscription. You can also watch the Women's Ashes via NOW without signing up to a contract. NOW can be streamed through a computer or apps found on most smart TVs, phones and consoles. NOW is also available via BT Sport. Watching cricket improves productivity at work Sky Sports has proven that having the cricket on while working actually improves productivity. The new research, undertaken by behavioural science experts with over 1,000 cricket fans across the UK, reveals that the disruption caused by switching from work to check the score, known as "context switching", means that it is actually more productive to have the match on while working. More than half (52%) of respondents say they plan to follow The Ashes via live updates and every time a cricket fan context switches to another tab or app, reports suggest it can take nine and a half minutes for them to get back to a productive workflow, with further research suggesting that it can take up to 23 minutes to return to your original task. On average, cricket fans check the score 10 times a day (3.5 minutes per time), with over 18% reporting to check multiple times an hour. This means that fans spend on average 30 minutes checking the score per day. When combined with the impact of ‘context switching’, it means a whopping 90 minutes to two hours productive work time could be saved per fan per day by allowing them to watch live. This amounts to almost an entire session of a Test match each day, and up to 50 hours across the series! Office attendance is also set to reduce by 13% during Ashes Tests, including a 30% reduction in those who go in every day. But according to the research, employers who let their teams watch the Ashes can expect to see no drop at all, with attendances set to stay at usual levels. Women's Ashes schedule 2023 1st WTest: England v Australia Date: Thursday 22nd – Monday 26th June Venue: Trent Bridge Time: 11am 1st WT20I: England v Australia Also on BBC Two / BBC iPlayer Date: Saturday 1st July Venue: Edgbaston Time: 6:35pm 2nd WT20I: England v Australia Date: Wednesday 5th July Venue: The Oval Time: 6:35pm 3rd WT20I: England v Australia Date: Saturday 8th July Venue: Lord's Time: 6:35pm 1st WODI: England v Australia Date: Wednesday 12th July Venue: Bristol County Ground Time: 1pm 2nd WODI: England v Australia Date: Sunday 16th July Venue: Rose Bowl Time: 11am 3rd WODI: England v Australia Date: Tuesday 18th July Venue: County Ground, Taunton Time: 1pm Read more: Best cricket players in the world 2023 | Best cricket players of all time | Highest wicket takers in Ashes history | Highest run scorers in Ashes history If you’re looking for something else to watch, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide or visit our Sport hub for all the latest news. Take part in the Screen Test, a project from Radio Times and the Universities of Sussex and Brighton, to explore the role of television and audio in our lives. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
What time is stumps in The Ashes 2023? Start and end of play explained
Your guide to when each day of The Ashes will draw to a close.
The Ashes is off to a boiling hot start - with a dash of everything that makes cricket so special coming into play throughout the first Test. Edgbaston has been bathed in lush sunshine, apathetic cloud coverage and monsoon-like storms over the course of the opening days – just another Great British summer on this island. Of course, weather conditions, slow over rates and any number of factors can play havoc with the schedule for a day's play. Watch The Ashes live on Sky Sports Cricket from £15 per month (limited time offer) Stumps are called at the end of each day. Umpires remove the bails and draw the curtain on another day of Test cricket, but when does play actually come to an end? RadioTimes.com brings you all the details about when players will take a lunch break in The Ashes 2023. More from The Ashes: Ashes TV coverage | Ashes radio coverage | Ashes schedule | Ashes squads | Ashes predictions | Ashes highlights | Sky Sports Ashes commentators | Test Match Special Ashes commentators When is stumps in The Ashes? Each day of Ashes Test matches will typically break for stumps at 6pm. However, this is not always the case, as demonstrated in the first Test of the 2023 Ashes. A minimum of 90 overs should be bowled each day – 30 overs per session, across three sessions – but if that target is not met, umpires can add on an extra half an hour of play. Further still, if rain disrupts a match, play could be extended all the way up to 7:30pm in a bid to make up the time, so long as the teams are back out on the field by 7pm. The changeable nature of the Great British summer will play an important role in this series, with captains likely to adapt their decisions based on the mood of the skies. When does play start in The Ashes? Play typically begins at 11am assuming no delays to the start of the day due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. The schedule of a day's play will typically look like this: Start: 11am Morning session: 11am – 1pm Lunch: 1pm – 1:40pm Afternoon session: 1:40pm – 3:40pm Tea: 3:40pm – 4pm Evening session: 4pm – 6pm Of course, for all the reasons mentioned above, this is not always a perfect guide with lunch, tea and stumps all able to be shuffled around depending on circumstances such as weather, delays and more. Read more: Best cricket players in the world 2023 | Best cricket players of all time | Highest wicket takers in Ashes history | Highest run scorers in Ashes history How to watch The Ashes on TV and live stream You can watch The Ashes live on Sky Sports Cricket and Main Event. You can upgrade to the Sky Sports Cricket channel from just £15 per month as part of a limited time deal or pick up the complete sports package from just £24 per month. Find out more about the best Sky packages Sky Sports customers can live stream The Ashes via the Sky Go app on a variety of devices including most smartphones and tablets as part of their subscription. You can also watch The Ashes via NOW without signing up to a contract. NOW can be streamed through a computer or apps found on most smart TVs, phones and consoles. NOW is also available via BT Sport. If you’re looking for something else to watch, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide or visit our Sport hub for all the latest news. Take part in the Screen Test, a project from Radio Times and the Universities of Sussex and Brighton, to explore the role of television and audio in our lives. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
When is the Women's Ashes 2023? Dates, times and schedule
Your guide to when the Women's Ashes 2023 will go ahead, including a schedule of matches.
The Women's Ashes is set to light up the summer with a multi-format festival of cricket across the nation. England take on Australia in the 25th edition of the competition, which enjoyed its inaugural run back in 1934/35. Australia have retained the Women's Ashes throughout the last four editions, since winning on British soil in 2015. They have won three of the last four competitions, with 2017/18 ending in a draw. Watch the Women's Ashes live on Sky Sports Cricket The visitors will touch down in England as favourites to triumph once again, even without captain Meg Lanning, who has withdrawn from the squad for "medical reasons". The women will kick-start the series with a traditional five-day Test match, followed by three ODIs and three T20I matches. The Test is worth four points, the ODI and T20I matches are worth two points, and points are split between both teams in the event of a draw in any format. The team with the highest points total by the end of the series will be declared champions. RadioTimes.com brings you all the dates you need to know for the Women's Ashes 2023. When is the Women's Ashes 2023? The Women's Ashes 2023 will begin on Thursday 22nd June 2023 and run until Tuesday 18th July 2023. There will be a mix of Test, ODI and T20 matches included as part of the Women's Ashes, with a full schedule of events below. Women's Ashes 2023 schedule All UK time. 1st WTest: England v Australia Date: Thursday 22nd – Monday 26th June Venue: Trent Bridge Time: 11am 1st WT20I: England v Australia Date: Saturday 1st July Venue: Edgbaston Time: 6:35pm 2nd WT20I: England v Australia Date: Wednesday 5th July Venue: The Oval Time: 6:35pm 3rd WT20I: England v Australia Date: Saturday 8th July Venue: Lord's Time: 6:35pm 1st WODI: England v Australia Date: Wednesday 12th July Venue: Bristol County Ground Time: 1pm 2nd WODI: England v Australia Date: Sunday 16th July Venue: Rose Bowl Time: 11am 3rd WODI: England v Australia Date: Tuesday 18th July Venue: County Ground, Taunton Time: 1pm How to watch the Women's Ashes 2023 You can watch the tournament live on Sky Sports or online via the SkyGo app throughout the week. You can upgrade to watch Sky Sports Cricket from just £15 a month for a limited time only – or multiple channels from £25 a month. Find out more about the best Sky packages If you don’t have Sky, you can watch the tournament through NOW. You can get a Day Membership for £11.99 or a Monthly Membership for £33.99, all without needing a contract. NOW can be streamed through a computer or apps found on most smart TVs, phones and consoles. Grab a NOW Membership from just £11.99 If you’re looking for something else to watch, check out our TV Guide or Streaming Guide, or visit our Sport hub for all the latest news. Take part in the Screen Test, a project from Radio Times and the Universities of Sussex and Brighton, to explore the role of television and audio in our lives. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Test Match Special to replay iconic 2019 Ashes Test at Headingley this week
BBC are revisiting the iconic Ashes third Test match from Headingley in 2019 including Ben Stokes' heroic display
Cricket fans will be able to relive one of the most remarkable Test matches in modern history as BBC 5 Live replay their coverage of the 2019 Ashes encounter at Headingley. The Test Match Special team will commentate on all four glorious days of action, starting on Wednesday 8th April. You can tune in via BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and the BBC Sounds app with the time schedule listed below. Going into the Test, England were 1-0 down in the series and needed to avoid defeat in third clash to keep themselves in contention to claim the Ashes. Ben Stokes recorded an innings that has gone down in history as one of the all-time greatest batting displays in memory – cricket fans know exactly where they were as the drama unfolded on that day. Saturday's final day will be accompanied by a special live text commentary on the BBC Sport website. Third Test replay coverage schedule Wednesday (Day 1) – from 10:25am Thursday (Day 2) – from 10:30am Friday (Day 3) – from 10:30am Saturday (Day 4) – from 12:30pm
The Ashes 2019: How to watch The Ashes – TV, live stream, schedule, dates, times, highlights
Everything you need to know about The Ashes 2019 series between England and Australia
Australia star Steve Smith has produced a masterclass so far in the series with totals of 142, 144 and 92, but missed the third Test due to a concussion suffered following a bouncer to the neck from England fast-bowler Jofra Archer. However, Ben Stokes stepped up with one of the all-time greatest innings from an England batsman as he recorded 135 runs not out from 219 balls to complete a staggering comeback in the third Test. England looked down and out at 286/9 but Stokes and Jack Leach dug in to reach 362/9 to etch an incredible day of cricket into the history books. It's still all to play for going into the final two Test matches, but how can you soak up the action? RadioTimes.com has rounded up everything you need to know about the upcoming 2019 Ashes. England v Australia: Who will win? Nuts about cricket? Predict the winner... England Australia The Ashes 2019 schedule 1st Test - AUSTRALIA win by 251 runs Dates: Thursday 1st - Monday 5th August 2019 Venue: Edgbaston, Birmingham 2nd Test - MATCH DRAWN Dates: Wednesday 14th - Sunday 18th August 2019 Venue: Lord's, London 3rd Test - ENGLAND win by 1 wicket Dates: Thursday 22nd - Monday 26th August 2019 Venue: Headingley, Leeds 4th Test Dates: Wednesday 4th - Sunday 8th September 2019 Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester Fourth Test preview, times, how to watch on TV and live stream 5th Test Dates: Thursday 12th - Monday 16th September 2019 Venue: The Oval, London Fifth Test preview, times, how to watch on TV and live stream – coming soon How to watch and stream The Ashes live on TV in the UK Some of our articles contain contextual affiliate links. You can support us by clicking on these as we may earn commission if you make a purchase. There is no extra cost to you and we never allow this to bias our content. The Ashes will be available to watch live in the UK on Sky Sports and NOW TV. Viewers will be able to watch all the matches live on Sky Sports Cricket and Main Event. Sky Sports subscribers will also be able to stream the matches via the SkyGo and Sky Sports apps. Sky customers can add Sky Sports Cricket to their deal for just £18 per month and can cancel anytime or subscribe to the full Sky Sports package for £23 per month. Find out more about the best Sky packages If you don’t have Sky, you'll be able to watch the matches through NOW TV without signing up for a full contract. You can get a Sky Sports day pass for £9.99, a week pass for £12.99 or a month pass for £33.99. NOW TV can be streamed through a computer or apps found on most smart TVs, phones and consoles. Grab a Sky Sports Day Pass for just £9.99 How to watch highlights of The Ashes in the UK Free-to-air highlights of the matches will be available daily during the tournament on Channel 5. How to watch and stream The Ashes live in Australia For those willing to stay up late and get up early, The Ashes will be broadcast on Channel 7 and Fox Sports in Australia. How to buy tickets for The Ashes The ballots for Ashes tickets at all of the host grounds are now closed. For further details and future opportunities to buy Ashes tickets, visit the ECB website. Why is it called The Ashes? The term originates from The Sporting Life newspaper, which in 1882 published a satirical obituary of English cricket after Australia had beaten England at The Oval – the first time the tourists won a game on English soil. The piece stated that "the body [of English cricket] will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia." The following Test series was thus dubbed by the media as an attempt to win the 'ashes' of cricket back, with then-England cricket captain Ivo Bligh vowing to "regain those ashes." The name has stuck for well over a century. Who won The Ashes in 2018? Australia are current holders of The Ashes, having won the series in Australia in 2017-18 by four matches to nil. Australia won all but the fourth Test in Melbourne, which ended in a draw. Which team has won The Ashes the most times? For a series that has gone on for more than 130 years, the overall tally is remarkably close. In total there have been 70 series. Australia have won 33, England 32, and five have been drawn.
England v Australia: How to watch The Ashes fifth Test on TV and live stream online
England and Australia go head-to-head in The Ashes fifth Test
England head into the fifth and final Test of The Ashes 2019 series playing for pride after Australia retained the urn. Steve Smith produced another staggering first innings with 211 off 319 balls to rocket Australia into an unassailable 497/8d lead. England responded with 301 all out despite spirited innings' from opener Rory Burns and Joe Root, though both of those stars were bowled for ducks in their second innings. The Ashes 2019: Full preview, dates, times, how to watch The hosts required 383 on the final day, but could only rack up 197 as Australia took a 2-1 series lead. Fans across the country will still be keen for England to round off the series on a high and secure an overall draw, but it will be small comfort following a series of sheer dominance by the much-maligned Smith in the crease. RadioTimes.com has rounded up everything you need to know about how to watch the fifth Test match of The Ashes between England v Australia on TV and online. What time is England v Australia? The England v Australia fifth Test match will start at 11:00am on Thursday 12th September 2019 and run until Monday 16th September 2019. Where is England v Australia? The match will take place at The Oval, London which has a capacity of around 24,500 fans. England v Australia fifth Test TV schedule Thursday – from 10:00am on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event Friday – from 10:00am on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event Saturday – from 10:00am on Sky Sports Cricket and from 10:30am on Sky Sports Main Event Sunday – from 10:00am on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event Monday – from 10:00am on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event How to watch England v Australia on TV and live stream Some of our articles contain contextual affiliate links. You can support us by clicking on these as we may earn commission if you make a purchase. There is no extra cost to you and we never allow this to bias our content. Viewers will be able to watch the Test match live on Sky Sports Cricket and Main Event from 10:00am every day. Sky Sports subscribers will also be able to stream the matches via the SkyGo and Sky Sports apps. Sky customers can add Sky Sports Cricket to their deal for just £18 per month and can cancel anytime or subscribe to the full Sky Sports package for £23 per month. Find out more about the best Sky packages Grab a Sky Sports Day Pass for just £9.99 If you don’t have Sky, you'll be able to watch the matches through NOW TV without signing up for a full contract. You can get a Sky Sports day pass for £9.99, a week pass for £12.99 or a month pass for £33.99. NOW TV can be streamed through a computer or apps found on most smart TVs, phones and consoles.