England begins its quest to reclaim the Ashes in Australia on Friday, facing a daunting record of 13 losses and two draws in the last 15 Tests Down Under. The series, spanning seven weeks across five cities, raises key questions: Can an aging Australian side maintain its unbeaten home streak since 2010-11? Can England, led by Ben Stokes, finally secure a win on Australian soil? And can Joe Root, the world’s top-ranked Test batter, score his first Ashes century in Australia?
Australia faces its own challenges. Captain Pat Cummins and pacer Josh Hazlewood are sidelined by injury, leaving Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon to lead the attack. Debutants Brendan Doggett and Scott Boland will make history as the first Indigenous players in the same Australian Test XI. Allrounder Cameron Green is fit to bowl, while Jake Weatherald, 31, earns his Test debut. Steve Smith will captain for the third time this year, supported by Marnus Labuschagne at No. 3.

England, determined to end the drought, plans to leverage pace-friendly conditions with bowlers Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Brydon Carse, and Gus Atkinson, alongside Stokes. Spinner Shoaib Bashir is also in the 12-man squad. Stokes acknowledges the historical challenge but emphasizes the opportunity to create new history, drawing inspiration from England’s 3-1 series victory in 2010-11.

Smith, 36, is noted for his relaxed leadership style this year compared with his competitive intensity of the past. Starc described him as still fiercely competitive but learning to manage his focus beyond cricket.

Squads
Australia: Jack Weatherald, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (captain), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Brendan Doggett, Scott Boland.

England (from): Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith, Brydon Carse, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Shoaib Bashir.