Australia have big injuries and concerns over their top order: if England start well in Perth they can win back the Ashes
It’s the Ashes in Australia and that is a series England have become used to losing, so much so that even Jimmy Anderson, the greatest English Test wicket‑taker of all time, has the home side as favourites. But if Australia have ever been there for the taking, it is now. Looking at how the two sides are shaping up before the opening game I feel punchy about England’s chances: the team are strong, settled, and I think that if Ben Stokes plays all five Tests they will win the Ashes and win them comfortably. I can’t remember ever being so confident before an away Ashes.
That confidence is based on a strong group of seamers and a top seven that have now played a lot of Test cricket and have a lot of runs under their belt. They will look at an opposition that will be without the injured Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood in Perth and fancy their chances of racking up runs. Once you do that, you’re bossing the game.
Written by Mark Ramprakash
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/nov/18/england-australia-confident-ashes-series-2025-mark-ramprakash-cricket under the title “I can’t remember ever being so confident at the start of an away Ashes series | Mark Ramprakash”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
