Ashes Test Archives - FutureSoch

Drama in Ashes: Steve Smith pulled out 20 minutes before toss

December 17, 2025 by Newsdesk

SYDNEY: Australia suffered a major blow ahead of the third Ashes Test after star batter Steve Smith was ruled out due to an ear-related issue.

Cricket Australia confirmed that Smith failed a fitness test after experiencing discomfort in his inner ear and was forced to withdraw just 20 minutes before the toss.

Following the late development, Usman Khawaja was recalled to the squad at the eleventh hour. Khawaja replaced Smith in the playing XI and batted at number four.

Speaking at the toss, Australian captain Pat Cummins said Smith had made an effort to play on the morning of the match but did not feel fit enough to take the field. Cummins added that the team was fortunate to have an experienced player like Khawaja available to step in at short notice.

Australia went on to announce their playing XI for the third Test of the Ashes series. At the Adelaide Test, the hosts won the toss and elected to bat first.

Superstar batter Steve Smith is OUT of the Adelaide #Ashes Test.

Details: https://t.co/5bF59ENUlr pic.twitter.com/kLbsarsQc7
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 16, 2025

Usman Khawaja played a crucial innings, scoring 82 runs off 126 deliveries, including 10 boundaries. Australia were struggling at 94 for four when Khawaja stitched together a vital 91-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Alex Carey.

It is worth noting that Khawaja had suffered a back injury during the first Test and was not considered for selection in the second and third Tests initially.

Australia currently lead the five-match Ashes series 2-0.

Australia announce playing XI for third Ashes Test

December 16, 2025 by Newsdesk

Sydney: Australia have announced their playing XI for the third Test of the Ashes series, making two changes to the side.

According to Cricket Australia, captain Pat Cummins has returned to the playing XI, while veteran spinner Nathan Lyon has also been included in the team. Cummins had missed the first two Tests of the Ashes series due to a back injury.

Fast bowlers Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett have been left out of the final XI, while senior batter Usman Khawaja has once again been overlooked despite having fully recovered from a back issue sustained during the Perth Test.

Cricket Australia confirmed that Khawaja is now fully fit but has not been recalled for the Adelaide encounter.

The third Test of the Ashes series is set to begin tomorrow in Adelaide. Australia currently lead the five-match series 2–0.

On the other hand, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced its men’s team’s playing XI for the must-win third Ashes Test against Australia, scheduled to commence on December 17 here at the Adelaide Oval.

The touring side, trailing 2-0 in the blockbuster five-match away series, made just one change to their lineup, replacing Gus Atkinson with Josh Tongue.

Atkinson has been struggling on the Australia tour as he could pick up three wickets in the first two fixtures at a dismal bowling average of 78.66, the worst amongst the England bowlers.

Meanwhile, Tongue, who has represented England in six Tests since making his debut in 2023, has taken 31 wickets in the longest format at an average of 30.

His last appearance for the Three Lions came in the final match of the home Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against India, concluded in August, while he last played against Australia at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in the last Ashes, where he picked up five wickets across the two innings, including dismissing Steve Smith twice.

Although Tongue only managed to take two wickets in the tour matches, England prioritised him over Shoaib Bashir despite an anticipated spin-friendly pitch, due to which Australia brought back their experienced spinner Nathan Lyon.

Notably, despite their struggles in the batting department, England decided against making any changes after head coach Brendon McCullum publicly backed their top seven.

England Playing XI: ⁠Zak Crawley,⁠ ⁠Ben Duckett, ⁠Ollie Pope, ⁠Joe Root, Harry Brook, ⁠Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), ⁠Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, ⁠Jofra Archer and ⁠Josh Tongue.

Ashes Test: Adelaide Oval security boosted after Sydney shooting

December 15, 2025 by Newsdesk

Sydney/Adelaide: Australian authorities have decided to significantly increase security for the third Ashes Test between Australia and England following the recent deadly shooting incident in Sydney.

The third Test of the Ashes series is scheduled to begin on December 17 at the Adelaide Oval. According to Australian media reports, officials have confirmed the deployment of additional security measures in and around the stadium.

South Australia Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said the specially trained Security Response Section will be deployed for the match. He explained that officers in this unit are highly trained and equipped with additional firearms to respond swiftly to any potential threat.

The police commissioner noted that the Response Section, established several years ago, regularly performs duties at public venues. He added that the unit will be stationed around the Adelaide Oval to ensure the safety of spectators and players.

The decision comes amid heightened security concerns after the shooting at a Sydney beach, where at least 16 people have been killed so far.

Authorities have assured cricket fans that all necessary steps are being taken to maintain public safety during the high-profile international fixture.

Australia announce squad for third Ashes Test against England

December 10, 2025 by Newsdesk

Adelaide: Australia have named a 15-member squad for the third Ashes Test against England, with captain Pat Cummins returning to lead the side. Usman Khawaja has also been retained despite concerns over a back injury.

Cummins, who missed the first two matches, will resume captaincy duties in Adelaide. Khawaja was dropped from the playing XI in the second Test, where debutant opener Jack Weatherald impressed with a maiden half-century at the Gabba, but the veteran batter has been included in the squad for the upcoming Test.

Due to the strong opening partnership between Travis Head and Jack Weatherald, Khawaja’s return as opener appears unlikely. However, his versatility keeps him in contention for a middle-order slot. Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne are set to continue at No.3 and No.4, while the final middle-order combination remains undecided with Cameron Green, Alex Carey, and Josh Inglis under consideration.

All-rounder Beau Webster has also been included and is being viewed as a strong option for both middle-order batting and bowling depth, especially if there are fitness concerns over Cummins or other pacers.

Wicketkeeper Alex Carey, who starred in the second Test, said the team have started the series strongly but must not become complacent. He stressed that despite leading 2-0, the Ashes are far from over as England remain a formidable opponent.

Australia, mindful of the 2023 Ashes where they let a 2-0 advantage slip to finish 2-2, are aiming to approach the third match with caution and a solid strategy.

Fast bowlers Brendan Doggett and Michael Neser may miss out on the final XI due to Cummins’ return and the expected inclusion of Nathan Lyon, who was left out of a home Test for the first time in 13 years in Brisbane.

Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the series due to hamstring and calf injuries, while Jhye Richardson is recovering from shoulder surgery and will train with the squad in Adelaide.

The third Ashes Test begins on December 17 at Adelaide Oval.

Australia Squad:

Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Jack Weatherald, Beau Webster.

Geoffrey Boycott slams England after second Ashes Test defeat

December 8, 2025 by Newsdesk

LONDON: Former England captain Geoffrey Boycott has strongly criticised the national side following their defeat against Australia in the second Ashes Test, labelling the team “irresponsible and useless”.

Boycott lashed out at Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum, saying they believe only they understand modern Test cricket. “We should stop listening to them now,” he remarked.

Boycott termed the performance in Brisbane a “horror show”, blaming reckless batting and short-length bowling. He insisted that this Australian side was beatable. With England trailing 0-2 in the five-match series, the former captain said the team now needs a miracle. “With this batting and bowling, England can’t win,” he added.

He further stated that England had been planning for this Ashes series for four years, but are now performing poorly. “No one in the England setup is willing to listen to anyone outside their camp. Test cricket has changed, and they think they alone know modern-day cricket,” said Boycott.

Commenting on batter Harry Brook, Boycott questioned his shot selection and footwork, saying fans want to know what is going on in his mind, as he is failing to move his feet effectively on Australian pitches.

Australia won the first two Tests convincingly to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match Ashes series.

England bowled out for 334 in first innings of second Ashes Test

December 5, 2025 by Newsdesk

In the second Ashes Test at the Gabba, England were dismissed for 334 runs in their first innings.

On the second day, the visitors could add only 9 runs to their overnight total before losing the final wicket. Jofra Archer, who resumed with Joe Root, scored 38 before being caught by Marnus Labuschagne. Joe Root remained unbeaten with a magnificent 138.

For Australia, Mitchell Starc was the standout performer with the ball, claiming 6 wickets, while Michael Neser, Brendan Doggett and Scott Boland picked up one wicket each.

Earlier on Day 1, after opting to bat first upon winning the toss, England suffered an early blow yet again, losing Ben Duckett for a golden duck in the opening over. Ollie Pope followed soon after, departing without scoring.

Zak Crawley and Joe Root steadied the innings, adding 117 runs for the third wicket. Crawley fell for 76 to Michael Neser. Harry Brook contributed 31 before being dismissed by Starc, a wicket that marked Starc’s record-breaking 415th in Test cricket, surpassing Wasim Akram.

Skipper Ben Stokes scored 19, Jamie Smith was out for zero, Will Jacks made 19, Gus Atkinson 4, while Brydon Carse departed without scoring.

England had ended the first day at 325 for 9 before being bowled out early on Day 2.

England all out for 172 in first Ashes Test amid Starc onslaught

November 21, 2025 by Newsdesk

PERTH: In the first Ashes Test, Mitchell Starc’s devastating bowling dismantled England, restricting them to 172 runs and sending the entire team back to the pavilion.

England captain Ben Stokes’ surprising decision to bat first left experts stunned as his side struggled from the outset. The visitors lost their first wicket in the very first over, with Zak Crawley dismissed for zero by Starc.

Starc continued his dominance, claiming Ben Duckett for 21 in the seventh over and Joe Root for a duck in the ninth. Although Ollie Pope and Harry Brook offered some resistance, Pope fell for 46 runs before lunch at 94/4.

By the interval, England stood at 105/4, but subsequent wickets tumbled quickly, and the team was bowled out for 172 runs. Starc finished with an outstanding haul of seven wickets, while Brendon Doggett took two and Cameron Green claimed one.

Australia’s playing XI included captain Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, Jack Wildermuth, Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Brendon Doggett, and Scott Boland.

Australia announces playing XI for first Ashes Test against England

November 20, 2025 by Newsdesk

PERTH: Australia has confirmed its playing XI for the first Ashes Test, with Steve Smith set to captain the side.

The lineup features seasoned players including Smith, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, and Mitchell Starc. Test debutants Brandon Doggett and Jack Wagerald will also make their first appearances. Nathan Lyon, Brandon Doggett, and Scott Boland complete the squad.

England’s squad for the Ashes opener

England has also announced a 12-man squad for the first Test, which begins at 02:20 GMT on Friday. Captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum may confirm the final XI at the toss.Ben Stokes (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Mark Wood

England’s selection strategy under Stokes and McCullum often involves finalizing the XI close to the toss, so fans can expect last-minute confirmations.

Meanwhile, former Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath has stepped down from the Ashes commentary panel ahead of the series.

The first Ashes Test between Australia and England is scheduled to begin tomorrow in Perth.

Pat Cummins misses Ashes opener due to fitness issues

October 27, 2025 by Newsdesk

Melbourne: Australia suffered a major setback ahead of the Ashes series against England as captain Pat Cummins has been ruled out of the first Test.

According to Cricket Australia, Cummins will not regain full fitness in time for the opening Test of the five-match Ashes series. Steve Smith will lead the side in his absence.

The board stated that Cummins has resumed running and is expected to begin bowling soon.

The first Ashes Test is scheduled to be played in Perth from November 21.