Ashes Newsfile
Anderson says 'weak' Australia are still Ashes favourites
Former fast bowler believes there are areas for England to exploit but stops short of predicting victory
ESPNcricinfo staff
14-Nov-2025
James Anderson, England's record-breaking former fast bowler, believes that Australia will start next week's Ashes as favourites, although he agrees with his former opening partner, Stuart Broad, that the hosts are at their "weakest" since England's victory Down Under in 2010-11.
Anderson claimed 24 wickets in that series victory 15 years ago, but has been involved in three subsequent Ashes tours, in which England have won none and lost 13, with two draws. For that reason, he is reluctant to envisage a complete turnaround in fortunes on this campaign.
"I just think that Australia have been so strong, and so consistent in their team selection over the last 10 years, that this probably is their weakest team [in the last 15 years]," Anderson told TNT Sports, for whom has been announced as a pundit. "I think they probably just edge out England in terms of being favourites, but I don't think there's much in it. It's a tough one to call, so I'd say Australia, just."
Full postJhye Richardson's return steps up with Cricket Australia XI outing
The fast bowler will face England Lions in a four-day game with runs currently to the first Test
ESPNcricinfo staff
14-Nov-2025
Jhye Richardson has taken a significant step towards a potential Test recall after being named in the Cricket Australia XI squad to face England Lions at Lilac Hill in Perth next week.
Richardson has recently made his return to club cricket after undergoing shoulder surgery earlier this year in an attempt to fix long-standing problems which have curtailed his international career.
He has remained a centrally contracted player over the last two years and the selectors retain hope he could be ready to be parachuted into the Ashes later in the series if required.
Full postCummins ramps up bowling with eye on second Test
The Australia captain got through a solid session with his New South Wales team-mates at the SCG
AAP
08-Nov-2025
Pat Cummins has ramped up his bowling at New South Wales training as the Australia captain aims to be fit for the second Test of the Ashes.
Already ruled out of the eagerly anticipated opener in Perth, starting on November 21, Cummins is shaping as a genuine chance to feature in the day-night Test at the Gabba.
Cummins this week conceded playing unchanged from the second Test until the end of the series was unlikely given he is recovering from stress in his back.
Full postSteve Smith to captain New South Wales for Ashes tune-up
Smith will lead Australia in Perth and there remains a strong chance he will need to do more Tests in the Ashes
ESPNcricinfo staff
07-Nov-2025
Steven Smith will prepare for the opening Ashes Test by leading New South Wales against Victoria in the Sheffield Shield in place of the state's official captain Jack Edwards.
Smith will take charge against England in Perth with Pat Cummins ruled out due to his back injury. He has done the role on six previous occasions since 2021-22 when Cummins took over, winning five of those Test. There is still a good chance he will need to do more than one Test in the series.
He did not captain NSW in the previous round against Queensland, where he scored a century in his first innings since late August, and has not led the state for eight years. It's understood the switch is one Edwards was happy to accommodate for a one-off game. When Edwards was on Australia A duty for the opening round of the Shield, Nathan Lyon captained NSW for the first time.
Full postMark Taylor unsure over Cameron Green's position
The amount of bowling Green does next week will determine his role in the first Test
AAP
07-Nov-2025
Former Australia captain Mark Taylor was unsure if Australia should risk allrounder Cameron Green should he not be able to bowl up to 20 overs in the upcoming Shield match for Western Australia.
Green hasn't bowled at Test level since coming back for the WTC final, after he missed a year due to a serious back injury. The 26-year-old hasn't batted at No. 6, or lower, since 2023 but could be forced there unless selectors opt to open with Labuschagne instead of blooding Weatherald.
"I would very much like to see Weatherald play," Taylor said. "I would like to see Weatherald and [Usman] Khawaja open, Marnus at three, [Steve] Smith, Head, and then you've got the question mark.
Full post