Ashes Day-Night Test: What time does it start? Session times, how to watch, prediction

The first Ashes Test feels like a distant memory, but Australia and England are preparing to do battle once more in Brisbane with the former leading the five-match series 1-0.

However, this will be a Test match with a twist, it will be a day-night game at the Gabba. 

These have become commonplace in Australia and they have dominated with 13 wins in their 14 day-night matches. England meanwhile have lost all three of the day-night matches they have played Down Under. 

Ahead of the game getting underway on Thursday, DAZN News has everything you need to know about this Ashes day-night Test match. 

What is a day-night Test match? 

A day-night Test match is a game which is played partially under floodlights. 

The first day-night Test match took place on November 27, 2015 when Australia faced New Zealand at the Adelaide Oval. 

Usually the game will begin in daylight before concluding under floodlights. 

Day-night Ashes Test match: What are the session times? 

The second Test between England and Australia begins on Thursday, with the first ball set to be bowled at 4am GMT. The match is scheduled for five days.

The game will still have three sessions as per a normal Test match, and the timings can be found below. 

• First session:  4am - 6am GMT
• Second session:  6:40am - 8:40am GMT
• Third session:  9am - 11am GMT

Day-night Ashes Test match: Why do they use a pink ball? 

In addition to play concluding at night, a day-night Test match also uses a different ball. 

Instead of the traditional red, a pink ball is used. This is because the colour pink is suitable for a play during the day and night. 

The pink ball however does soften quicker than a red ball meaning the bowlers need to make their work count. It can also be difficult for the batsmen to see due to the black seam. 

Where is the day-night Ashes Test match? 

The second Ashes Test match will take place at the Gabba in Brisbane, Australia.

The stadium can hold 37,000 people and hosts an array of events from cricket to Aussie Rules. 

Unfortunately for England, the Gabba is not a happy hunting ground with the team's last Ashes win there coming in 1986. 

Ashes 2025-26: Prediction for day-night 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. 

Ashes 2025-26: Latest score at day-night Test

Day one of five

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

Australia : Yet to bat

England won the toss

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. 

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