Former England skipper Michael Vaughan has thrown his weight behind Ben Stokes, calling the upcoming Ashes 2025-26 the defining test of his leadership. The historic England vs Australia series begins on November 21, 2025, at Optus Stadium, Perth, setting the stage for one of cricket’s most anticipated battles.
“I think Ben Stokes and his mentality, and the way that he plays his cricket, this is his moment. He has to deliver, and he has to get that urn in his hand. It’s not putting him under pressure. They’ll be speaking in this kind of language in the dressing room. They will expect to win this series, and now’s the time to deliver,” Vaughan told ESPNcricinfo.
Ashes 2025-26 Fixtures
The Ashes 2025-26 will open with the Perth Test from November 21–25, followed by the Day-Night Test at The Gabba from December 4–8. The third Test will be played at the Adelaide Oval between December 17–21, before the action shifts to the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) for the Boxing Day Test from December 25–29. The series will wrap up at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) from January 4–8, 2026.
According to Vaughan, England must translate their recent progress into tangible success. He noted England hasn’t won a Test series in Australia since 2010-11 and urged them to change that record.
“I think they need a trophy. Let’s be honest. In the last few series, the 2010-11 season is the only time I’ve seen England achieve success. We won one Test match in the 2002-03 season, and we won three Test matches in the 2010-11 season. We haven’t won a Test since. So actually looking at growth in terms of what English cricket is delivering and, crikey, if you could get a two-all series, you’d obviously take that,” Vaughan said.
England Squad for Ashes 2025-26
Ben Stokes (captain), Harry Brook (vice-captain), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue, Mark Wood.
The Ashes 2025-26 will test England’s depth and Stokes’s ability to inspire his side under Australian conditions. With Vaughan urging the team to “deliver,” the focus now shifts to whether England can finally reclaim the urn and end their long wait for victory Down Under.
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