The highly anticipated Ashes 2025-26 series between old rivals Australia and England is now just a day away from commencing at the Optus Stadium in Perth. The five-match Test series will run from November 21, 2025, to January 8, 2026, across five iconic Australian venues: Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne (Boxing Day Test) and Sydney (New Year’s Test).
The rivalry has been dramatically fueled by England’s aggressive Bazball approach and Australia’s early injury woes, with captain Pat Cummins and pacer Josh Hazlewood sidelined for the opener. Adding to the excitement, recently retired England fast-bowler Stuart Broad has offered his bold predictions. This series is pivotal for England, who are desperate to end their long and painful winless drought on Australian soil.
Ashes 2025-26: Stuart Broad’s predictions for most runs and most wickets
As per the SEN Cricket, Broad’s forecast for the Ashes places the spotlight firmly on a young England powerhouse and Australia’s enduring spin legend, suggesting where the key battles will be won and lost. For the most runs, Broad backed Harry Brook, and the young batters’ career trajectory supports this optimism.
Brook, who averages over 57.55 in his Test career, has been touted by Australian legend Greg Chappell as being reminiscent of Sachin Tendulkar for his minimal movement early on and ability to score off most deliveries. Though this is Brook’s first Test tour of Australia, his highly aggressive and free-scoring style makes him a formidable middle-order threat that could define the series.
For the leading wicket-taker, Broad chose Nathan Lyon, recognizing the Australian off-spinner’s immense influence and consistent success on home pitches. Lyon, who is poised to play his 140th Test, has secured 268 of his 562 Test wickets in Australia and will be the spearhead of the attack, particularly given the absence of frontline pacers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.
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England’s dismal history in the Ashes 2025-26 down under against Australia
While the current England squad, led by Ben Stokes, carries confidence under the Bazball philosophy, history shows the immense difficulty of winning the Ashes on Australian soil. England’s record in Australia since the start of the 21st century has been dismal; the most recent Ashes series victory for England Down Under came in 2010-11 under the captaincy of Andrew Strauss, a 3-1 triumph that now feels like a distant memory for supporters.
Since that high point, England’s record in Australia have been brutal, with the side suffering 13 losses and two draws in their last 15 Tests in the country. Former England captain Nasser Hussain starkly summarized the situation, stating that England have not won a single one of their last 15 Tests in Australia, highlighting how difficult it is to go to Australia and win. The current team is attempting to emulate only three England captains in the last 50 years, including Strauss, who have managed to lift the urn in Australia.
