The Ashes 2025/26: How to watch, schedule, latest news ahead of the second Test

The 2025-26 Ashes series got underway on Friday, November 21 with Australia and England reigniting one of cricket's most historic rivalries. 

What transpired was an opening Test match to remember and it only lasted two days! 

A strong bowling performance from England was undone by their batsman who collapsed in their second innings, with Australia successfully chasing 204 in dominant fashion with eight wickets remaining.

The fallout from this match has been chaotic and emotional, but England must now focus on a return to the Gabba for the second Test where they have not won since 1986. 

If the odds were not already stacked against England, this will be a day-night Test match and Australia have an imperious record in this format, winning 13 of their 14 Test matches under floodlights.

Ahead of the day-night game in Brisbane,  DAZN News has everything you need to know ahead of the second Test.

How to watch the Ashes in the UK and Australia

In the UK, the Ashes will be broadcast live on TNT Sports and available to stream on Discovery+. 

Meanwhile, in Australia, every ball of the series will be broadcast on both Channel Seven and Foxtel. 

Ashes 2025-26: Full schedule and UK start times

First Test, Perth (day two of five)

England 172: (Brook 52; Starc 7-58) & 164  (Boland 4-33)

Australia 132: (Stokes 5-23)  & 205-2  (Head 123, Labuschagne 51*)

Australia won by eight wickets; lead series 1-0

Second Test, Brisbane (day one of five)

England 325-9: Root 135*, Crawley 76; Starc 6-71

Australia: Yet to bat

England won the toss

Thrid Test

• Dates: December   17-21 
• Start time:  11:30pm GMT
• Location:  Adelaide Oval

Fourth Test

• Dates:  December 26-30
• Start time:  11:30pm GMT
• Location:  MCG, Melbourne

Fifth Test

• Dates:  January 4-8
• Start time:  11:30pm GMT
• Location:  SCG, Sydney

Ashes 2025-25: Team news ahead of the second Test

Australia

There is just one change to Australia's squad for Brisbane, opening batsman Usman Khawaja will be absent due to a back injury. Despite taking part in a 30-minute practice inside the nets, Khawaja was deemed not fit enough to play in Thursday's second test. 

Squad:  Steve Smith (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster

England

England have also made one change for the second Test, replacing pace bowler Mark Wood, who has picked up a knee injury, with spinner Will Jacks when confirming their eleven for the Gabba.

England XI for second Test:  Ben Stokes (c), Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (wk), Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer

Ashes 2025-26: Prediction for second Test

Matt Astbury, DAZN News Sportswriter

Surely it cannot get worse than Perth. It probably can with England playing at a ground they notoriously struggle at and a format which is alien to them. 

If England are to give themselves the best possible chance, they will need to embrace the slow pace this game could get to. Using a pink ball under lights, it will soften quicker than a red ball therefore there will be long periods where the ball does not offer much. 

This will be of huge benefit to the England batsman who can use the lull to rack up runs and give themselves a strong position to win the game. 

However, after terrorising in Perth, Australia's Mitchell Starc has a great record in day-night Test matches, and he will be looking to wreak similar havoc in the colosseum that is the Gabba. 

For this reason, I think Australia will triumph and give themselves a commanding 2-0 lead in the series. 

I can see England struggling to adjust to conditions, especially when batting, and I'm backing Starc to walk away as the standout player on both sides as he often thrives under the lights.

Ashes 2025-26: Betting odds for second Test

Australia are once again favourites to triumph in this Ashes Test match.

• Australia:  1/2
• England:  2/1
• Draw: 14/1

Odds provided by DAZN Bet, for full markets  click here .

Odds correct as of December 2, 10:38am GMT. 

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