Ashes Cricket

Experience the thrill of the Ashes!

Witness the fierce rivalry between Australia and England as they battle for cricket’s most coveted prize. This five-match Test series promises to be an unforgettable spectacle of skill, strategy, and sporting drama.

Adelaide

Brisbane

Melbourne

Perth

Sydney

About this Event

Your Complete Beginners Guide to Ashes Cricket

Meta-description: If you’ve wondered what makes cricket fans lose their minds every couple of years, here’s an Ashes crash course – the most intense sporting rivalry ever.

The Ashes is a century-old battle of pride, skill, and bragging rights between England and Australia that’ll have you on the edge of your seat.

Two cricket-crazy nations, separated by thousands of miles but united by an absolute passion for the game, squaring off in a Test series with more drama than a soap opera and more tension than a high-stakes poker match. A competition that is so legendary that it’s named after a tiny ceramic urn.

Born from a cheeky newspaper obituary back in 1882, the Ashes has become a cultural phenomenon that turns casual fans into die-hard supporters and transforms cricket grounds into cauldrons of national pride. Whether you’re a complete newcomer to the sport or someone who’s always wondered what all the fuss is about, this guide is your ticket to understanding the magic of the Ashes.

The Ashes is a sporting saga that’s captured the imagination of two nations for generations

At the heart of this legendary rivalry sits a tiny ceramic urn that represents far more than its modest 10.5-centimetre height might suggest. This is a symbol of cricketing pride that has been passed between England and Australia like a cherished, hard-fought family heirloom.

The origin story is pure cricket folklore. After an early series victory, Captain Ivo Bligh was presented with a small urn reportedly containing the burned remnants of a cricket bail – symbolically representing the “ashes” of Australian cricket. The original urn now sits carefully preserved in Lord’s Museum while teams battle for an exact replica that represents ultimate bragging rights.

How has the Ashes been going?

In recent years, Australian supremacy has been dominated. They’ve been absolutely ruthless, demolishing England 4-0 in the home series in both 2017/18 and 2021/22. Those tours were particularly brutal, with England looking like a team completely out of their depth. The 2021/22 series was so one-sided that England spent more time in quarantine than actually competing, a stark reminder of their cricketing struggles.

But cricket is a game of dramatic turnarounds, and England’s recent transformation has been miraculous. Enter Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes – the architects of what fans have dubbed “Bazball”, an ultra-aggressive playing style that’s reinvigorated the team. Their approach? Simple. Entertain, attack, and never take a backward step.

The results speak for themselves. From a miserable single win in 17 Tests, England has now claimed 11 victories in just 13 matches. They’ve beaten top international sides like New Zealand, India, and Pakistan, proving this isn’t just a temporary spark but a genuine renaissance.

Cricket can sound like a language all its own

Here’s your cheat sheet for understanding the chatter during the Ashes:

Bazball: More than just a catchy name, this is England’s revolutionary playing style. Think of it as cricket on espresso – aggressive, exciting, and always looking to score. It’s about playing with unbridled enthusiasm, where every ball is an opportunity to attack. Batters aim to score, not just survive, and bowlers hunt wickets like they’re going out of fashion.

Nighthawk: Forget the traditional night watchman – this is cricket’s adrenaline-fuelled cousin. When a wicket falls late in the day, England might send a batter ready to swing for the fences instead of sending in a defensive player. Stuart Broad is the ultimate nighthawk – he might get out cheaply, but he could also change the game’s momentum in a few wild swings.

Sledging: The art of cricket trash talk. It’s verbal sparring designed to get inside an opponent’s head. When done right, it’s more comedy than conflict – think witty one-liners that make everyone, including the target, crack a smile.

DRS (Decision Review System): Cricket’s version of instant replay. Players can challenge an umpire’s decision, but use your reviews wisely. Get it wrong, and you lose the right to challenge – get it right, and you’re a tactical genius.

Jaffa: That magical delivery that makes even the best batters look helpless. A ball so perfect it’ll have commentators reaching for their most colorful descriptors. When a bowler delivers a jaffa, you’ll know – it’s poetry in motion.

Declaration: A strategic move where a team voluntarily ends their batting innings. It’s cricket’s version of a calculated risk, hoping to create a result instead of settling for a draw.

The 2025-26 Ashes series

Australia and England are set to clash across five iconic venues that will test every ounce of skill, strategy, and sporting spirit. The tour kicks off in a historic twist, with Perth’s Optus Stadium hosting its first-ever Ashes Test from November 21-25. It’s a departure from tradition, as the series will no longer start at Brisbane’s Gabba – a ground where Australia has been practically unbeatable since 1986.

The Gabba will host a day-night Test with a pink ball, and Melbourne’s legendary Cricket Ground will stage the Boxing Day Test, a fixture that’s practically a national holiday in Australia. The series concludes at the Sydney Cricket Ground in early January.

For England, the stakes couldn’t be higher

England hasn’t won a series on Australian soil since Andrew Strauss’s memorable 2010-11 campaign. Ben Stokes, who’s only tasted Ashes victory once (on home ground in 2015), will be desperate to change that narrative.

The series comes after significant changes in the English setup, including the retirement of James Anderson and the continued evolution of their aggressive “Bazball” approach. With both teams hungry for victory, cricket fans are in for a treat.

How to get tickets to The Ashes

Queen of Tickets is your reliable source for Ashes cricket tickets every time the event occurs. We always have the best seats at the best prices, so you won’t miss a moment of the action. Check out our dedicated Ashes Cricket ticket page and secure your spot for this legendary battle.