England's cricket team, under the leadership of Ben Stokes, faces a stern test in the upcoming Ashes series in Australia, scheduled for November 2025 to January 2026. The series, a part of the 2025-2027 ICC World Test Championship, will be a five-match affair held at iconic venues including Perth Stadium, Brisbane Cricket Ground, Adelaide Oval, Melbourne Cricket Ground, and Sydney Cricket Ground. As the defending holders, having won in 2021-22 and drawn in 2023, Australia poses a formidable challenge to England's ambition of reclaiming the urn.

One of the major concerns surrounding England's chances is their historical performance Down Under. The team has struggled to secure series wins in Australia, with their last triumph dating back to 2010-11. This year, the pressure is further amplified, with cricket betting markets already positioning Australia as odds-on favorites to retain the coveted Ashes. Adding to the weight of expectation, Australia aims to hold the Ashes for the fifth consecutive series.

Adding to the challenge, several key players are on the wrong side of 30, including Nathan Lyon and Steve Smith. This could be an area that England look to exploit.

Former England fast bowler Steve Harmison has expressed immense confidence in Ben Stokes's captaincy, even calling him the best captain England has ever had. Harmison emphasized that Stokes has revitalized Test cricket in England, which was "dying" before his tenure. Since taking over as captain in 2022, Stokes has led England to 20 Test wins out of 32 matches. Stokes has stressed the importance of winning, urging his players to adapt better under pressure and back their aggressive style, aiming to take England "to the next level."

However, Stokes downplayed concerns about the relative inexperience of England's bowling attack. While acknowledging that experience is valuable, Stokes emphasized the importance of skill and the ability to challenge the opposition's batting order. The England captain also highlighted the importance of reflective moments and honest conversations within the group as key elements that can elevate teams to the next level.

Several cricket analysts have weighed in on England's prospects for the Ashes 2025-26. Nasser Hussain has predicted a 3-1 series win for England, citing home advantage as a crucial factor. However, Hussain also acknowledged that India will miss the runs and experience of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Former England off-spinner Graeme Swann believes the Test series against India will serve as the perfect warm-up for the Ashes. He predicted a 4-1 series win for England, emphasizing the team's ability to exploit home conditions and the absence of key Indian batsmen.

The Ashes series is a major event, and 2025 is shaping up to be a seminal year. With both the men's and women's teams having a crack at one of the toughest challenges in cricket – winning the urn Down Under, the stakes are incredibly high. England will need to overcome historical challenges, adapt to the Australian conditions, and capitalize on their strengths to have a chance of regaining the Ashes.