Phil Haigh
Published December 1, 2025 3:01pm
Updated December 1, 2025 3:15pm
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Ben Stokes is under pressure after a nightmare first Test for England (Picture: Getty Images)
England are looking to recover from a disastrous start to the Ashes when they begin the second Test against Australia in Brisbane this week.
The first Test in Perth was a chaotic affair which only lasted two days and saw the Aussies romp to a wild victory.
There were remarkable swings in momentum over such a short match, with England in control and comfortably ahead at lunch on the second day, but well beaten by the end of it.
The series moves on to Brisbane and the Gabba, where the second Test will be played with a pink ball in a day-night game.
Ben Stokes’ side are up against it as Australia have a superb record in day-night Tests, winning 13 of the 14 they have played.
In contrast, England have lost five of the seven they have played, winning just one.
Defeat in Brisbane would leave England’s chances in the series in a terrible state, with three more Tests to play in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.
Travis Head scored a brilliant match-winning innings for Australia in Perth (Picture: Getty Images)
Second Test team news
England will make a change to their bowling attack as Mark Wood misses the second game due to injury.
Josh Tongue is likely to replace him, although Matthew Potts is another option.
Australia remain without Pat Cummins and Josh Hazelwood, as they were for the first Test, so have named an unchanged squad.
Steve Smith will once again captain the side in Cummins’ absence, but there is the possibility that Travis Head will open the batting after his spectacular century in the second innings in Perth.
Test dates and UK times
First Test – Optus Stadium, Perth
Start date: November 21
Australia won by 8 wickets.
The England squad ahead of the first Test (Picture: Getty Images)
Second Test – The Gabba, Brisbane
Start date: December 4
UK start time: 4.30am (day/night match)
First session: 4.30-6.30am
Second session: 7.10-9.10am
Final session: 9.30-11.30am
The day-night Test begins at 2pm local time, running until 9pm.
Third Test – Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Start date: December 17
UK start time: 12am
First session: 12-2am
Second session: 2.40-4.40am
Final session: 5-7am
Jofra Archer is fit and available for England (Picture: Getty Images)
Fourth Test – MCG, Melbourne
Start date: December 25
UK start time: 11.30pm
First session: 11.30pm-1.30am
Second session: 2.10-4.10am
Final session: 4.30-6.30am
Fifth Test – SCG, Sydney
Start date: January 3
UK start time: 11.30pm
First session: 11.30pm-1.30am
Second session: 2.10-4.10am
Final session: 4.30-6.30am
How to watch The Ashes on TV in the UK
TNT Sports will be showing all the action in the UK, so you will need a subscription to watch on their channel or streaming service Discovery+.
The BBC’s Test Match Special will be covering the series on the radio.
While Sky continues to show home England games, there was reportedly little interest from the broadcaster in the overseas series as focus is on Premier League football and the World Darts Championship over the winter.
Australia and England's Gabba records
Australia
Matches: 67
Won: 42
Lost: 10
Drawn: 14
Tied: 1
England
Matches: 22
Won: 4
Lost: 13
Drawn: 5
Ashes venues
Optus Stadium, Perth
Capacity: 61,000
The Optus Stadium in Perth (Picture: Getty Images)
The Gabba, Brisbane
Capacity: 37,000
The Gabba in Brisbane (Picture: Getty Images)
Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Capacity: 53,500
The Adelaide Oval (Picture: Getty Images)
MCG, Melboune
Capacity: 100,000
The Melbourne Cricket Ground (Picture: Getty Images)
SCG, Sydney
Capacity: 48,000
The Sydney Cricket Ground (Picture: Getty Images)
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