Ashes 2025-26: England delay Perth Test XI announcement until opening day pitch assessment

Published - 20 Nov 2025, 17:01 IST | Updated - 20 Nov 2025, 17:19 IST

The 2025-26 Ashes is all set to begin with the opening Test in Perth. While Australia has locked in its playing XI, England has chosen to delay announcing their final XI until the morning of day one. With the pitch at Perth Stadium expected to provide sharp pace and extra bounce, England want every minute available before deciding whether to go for an all-pace attack or back young off-spinner Shoaib Bashir.

Skipper Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum have made an aggressive Test unit since 2022, but this tour of Australia is their examination of their project. Notably, England have not won a Test in Australia since 2011 and were humiliated 4-0 in the 2021-22 series. Now, with a fiery fast-bowling group, they look to dominate Perth and are helped by the absence of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood for the hosts.

Meanwhile, England has limited their squad to 12 but stopped short of confirming the XI. Bashir was named in the 12 despite not playing a match since July due to a broken finger. His warm-up outing was expensive, but England have backed him over the past year and felt that the dry patches on the Perth strip could bring him into play. However, visiting spinners have struggled badly at this venue.

On the other hand, an alternative is an all-seam attack. Mark Wood has been declared fully fit after hamstring concerns. If England go with an all-out pace unit, with Jofra Archer, Wood, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, and Stokes, they would field the fastest attack they have ever sent out in an Ashes Test in Australia. England have used an all-pace XI only twice under Stokes.

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Furthermore, curator Isaac McDonald expects pace and bounce with cracks opening later in the match. England’s think-tank has watched the pitch closely for two days, but Stokes wants one final look on Friday morning before committing.

Notably, Australia has already confirmed its XI for the opening Test. With Cummins and Hazlewood out, Steven Smith leads a team featuring opener Jake Weatherald and fast bowler Brendan Doggett. Marnus Labuschagne returns to No. 3, while Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc form the core of the attack alongside Scott Boland. Cameron Green shifts down to No. 6 with Alex Carey retaining the gloves.