Australia or England? James Anderson picks the favourites of Ashes 2025-26

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The Ashes, cricket’s oldest and most storied rivalry, is all set to ignite once again as the 2025–26 edition begins on November 21 in Perth. The build-up to the series has already reached fever pitch as fans from both Australia and England eagerly await another gripping chapter of a contest steeped in history, drama and unforgettable performances. With both teams undergoing transitions yet carrying enormous depth, the upcoming series promises to deliver high-quality cricket and iconic battles over five intense Tests across Australia.

As predictions continue to roll in ahead of the series, England’s legendary fast bowler James Anderson has offered his assessment on which side he believes begins the Ashes as favourites. Speaking on TNT Sports, the recently retired pacer admitted that England may not walk into the series as the frontrunners, especially given the challenges of playing in Australian conditions.

“I don’t think England are quite favourites, I’d say Australia are still favourites, in Australia. There’s still a lot of quality in their batting line-up, there’s still a lot of quality with their bowlers as well, even if Cummins is missing,” Anderson said.

With Australia expected to rely on a potent pace attack and a seasoned batting order, Anderson believes the home side holds a slight advantage despite England’s recent improvements in Test cricket. The 42-year-old emphasised that while the gap between the two teams has significantly narrowed, Australia’s familiarity with home conditions tilts the balance just enough in their favour.

“So I think they probably just edge out England in terms of being favourites, but I don’t think there’s much in it. It’s a tough one to call, so I’d say Australia, just,” added Anderson.

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With both teams evenly matched and boasting a mix of youth and experience, the cricketing world is bracing for another blockbuster Ashes series. Australia, playing at home, will look to assert dominance early, while England will be determined to rewrite their overseas Ashes narrative after years of struggles down under.

The blend of strong batting units, fiery fast bowling attacks and tactical innovations from both camps sets the stage for a spectacular five-Test showdown. The return of key players, evolving strategies, and the fierce competitive spirit between the two nations ensures that no match will be predictable, and no session will be without drama.

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