Overview
- The first Test starts on November 21 at Optus Stadium in Perth, with the Gabba staging a day/night second Test from December 4.
- The Gabba had opened every Ashes series since 1986, where Australia recorded seven wins and two draws as England suffered heavy recent defeats.
- Recently retired all-rounder Chris Woakes calls the Perth start a small psychological bonus for England, while stressing that performance remains decisive.
- Woakes backs England’s pace options—Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue and Matthew Potts—and suggests bowling leadership may be shared this winter.
- England will play a three-day warm-up against the England Lions at Perth’s Lilac Hill beginning Thursday.