The Ashes craze has swept across not only the passionate cricket communities of England and Australia but has also drawn in celebrated figures from diverse fields. The five-Test showdown between the two
historic rivals has once again become a global talking point, with excitement spreading far beyond traditional cricket fans, even reaching renowned Hollywood actor Russell Crowe.
Ahead of the series opener on Friday, November 21, at Perth’s Optus Stadium, Crowe expressed his enthusiasm with a post on X. “Ashes start tomorrow in Perth. Test cricket between Australia and England. 5 x 5 day Test matches ahead. Going to be a great summer,” wrote the veteran actor, capturing the mood around the iconic contest.
Test cricket’s most enduring rivalry returns to centre stage as Australia look to maintain their iron grip at home against an England side eager to finally break through. Since their 3-1 defeat in the 2010–11 Ashes, Australia have not lost a single home Test to England, delivering commanding series victories of 5-0, 4-0 and 4-0 in the 2013–14, 2017–18 and 2021–22 editions. Their dominance on home soil has been absolute.
But this year’s series carries a different tone. With full-time captain and strike bowler Pat Cummins sidelined through injury—along with fellow quick Josh Hazlewood—the hosts enter the opening Test far from full strength. Their XI is expected to feature two debutants, Jake Weatherald and Brendan Doggett, at a time when there are already concerns surrounding their batting depth and the overall firepower of their bowling attack. Much of the responsibility now rests on Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland and veteran spinner Nathan Lyon to carry the load.
England, meanwhile, received a timely boost with Mark Wood cleared fit for the first Test. His availability opens the door for a genuinely intimidating fast-bowling partnership with Jofra Archer, giving the visitors a rare chance to attack Australia with extreme pace from both ends. The prospect of Wood and Archer operating in tandem adds significant intrigue to the opening match.
Adding to England’s strength is the return of Ben Stokes after he missed the final Test against India. Beyond his inspirational leadership, Stokes brings crucial balance to the side — capable of bowling disciplined spells, picking up vital wickets and giving the two express pacers sufficient recovery time. With the bat, he remains one of the game’s finest under-pressure performers, often producing defining innings when it matters most.
With both sides entering the series with contrasting challenges and strengths, and even global icons tuning in, the stage is set for another gripping chapter of the Ashes.
