The Ashes: What time does First Test in Perth start, where to watch, who’s in the Australian & England teams

Thu, 20 November 2025 2:38PM

Steve Smith and Ben Stokes will lead their teams to battle it out for The Ashes. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper/The West Australian

The Ashes is finally here! Get up to speed on what time it starts, how to watch, who’s in each line-up and more as Perth gets set to host the First Test.

What time does it start?

Friday’s first ball will be at 10.20am, with the toss and confirmation of final team line-ups set to take place at 9.50am.

What time does each day finish?

The scheduled close of play is 5.20pm but that can be - and usually is - extended by half an hour to fit 90 overs in, meaning the latest each day can run to is 5.50pm.

How can I get tickets?

The opening day of the First Test is effectively sold out, with an expected crowd in excess of 56,000, but there are extremely limited re-sale tickets popping up. Head to Ticketmaster to check.

How can I follow the match?

TheWest.com.au will be across all the action from every angle, with a live blog of proceedings from Optus Stadium beginning at 8am on Friday. We’ll have the latest news and analysis surrounding all the big moments, opinion from the likes of Mitchell Johnson and Justin Langer, a daily Hits & Misses wrap, and much more.

Mitchell Starc will lead the Aussie attack in Perth. Credit: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Where can I watch the match on TV?

Seven is broadcasting the entire Ashes series live and free. Friday’s coverage begins from 9am in the build-up to the opening ball, with the likes of Ricky Ponting, Stuart Broad, Aaron Finch and David Lloyd providing insights and analysis.

Where can I get a full series preview?

Don’t miss your free 56-page glossy Ashes series guide magazine inside Friday’s The West Australian, featuring columns and analysis from the likes of Justin Langer, Mitchell Johnson, Gideon Haigh & more.

The cover of The West Australian's Ashes magazine. Credit: WAN

Who’s playing for Australia?

The Aussies have confirmed their XI, and it features two new faces: Jake Weatherald and Brendan Doggett. Doggett joins a bowling attack that features Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland, while Weatherald will open with Usman Khawaja. Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cam Green and Alex Carey round out the batting line-up.

Who’s playing for England?

The tourists are yet to lock in their XI, instead naming a 12-man squad as of late Thursday. England’s top seven will be Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes and Jamie Smith. The visitors are considered likely to play a pace quartet of Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse, but spinner Shoaib Bashir is also in the mix.

Can Joe Root and Ben Stokes give England a strong start in Perth? Credit: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

What’s the weather forecast?

It’s largely fine, but the possibility of some weekend showers looms. Friday’s opening day is forecast to be sunny with a maximum of 28C, with a shower or two possible on both Saturday and Sunday with forecast tops of 26C and 22C respectively. Monday also has a possible shower in play with a mild top of 21C, with Tuesday partly cloudy and 22C if the match extends into a fifth and final day.