The Ashes: dates, British times, team news and how to watch Australia vs England

England will be looking to bounce back from a disastrous start to the Ashes when they begin the second Test against Australia in Brisbane this week.

The first Test in Perth was a chaotic affair that lasted just two days and saw the Aussies romp to a wild victory.

There were notable swings in momentum during such a short match, with England in control and comfortably ahead at lunch on the second day, but beaten at the end.

The series continues to Brisbane and the Gabba, where the second Test will be played with a pink ball in a day-night game.

Ben Stokes’ side are up against it as Australia have an excellent record in day-night Tests, winning 13 of the 14 they have played.

England, on the other hand, have lost five of their seven matches, winning only one.

Defeat in Brisbane would leave England’s chances in the series in a terrible state, with three Tests still to be played in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.

News about the second test team

England will make a change to their bowling attack as Mark Wood will miss the second match due to injury.

Josh Tongue will likely replace him, although Matthew Potts is another option.

Australia remain without Pat Cummins and Josh Hazelwood, as they were for the first Test, and have thus named an unchanged squad.

Steve Smith will captain again in Cummins’ absence, but there is a possibility that Travis Head will open the batting after his spectacular century in the second innings in Perth.

Test dates and UK times

First Test – Optus Stadium, Perth

Start date: November 21

Australia won by 8 wickets.

Second Test – The Gabba, Brisbane

Start date: December 4

Start time UK: 4:30 am (day/night match)

First session: 4:30-6:30 am

Second session: 7:10-9:10 am

Last session: 9:30-11:30 am

The day-night test starts at 2:00 PM local time and runs until 9:00 PM.

Third Test – Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

Start date: December 17

UK start time: 12 noon

First session: 12-2am

Second session: 2:40 – 4:40

Last session: 5-7 hours

Fourth Test – MCG, Melbourne

Start date: December 25

UK start time: 11:30 PM

First session: 11:30 PM – 1:30 AM

Second session: 2:10 – 4:10

Last session: 4:30-6:30

Fifth Test – SCG, Sydney

Start date: January 3

UK start time: 11:30 PM

First session: 11:30 PM – 1:30 AM

Second session: 2:10 – 4:10

Last session: 4:30-6:30

How to watch The Ashes on TV in Britain

TNT Sports shows all the action in the UK, so you’ll need a subscription to watch on their channel or streaming service Discovery+.

The BBC’s Test Match Special will air the series on radio.

Although Sky continues to show matches domestically in England, there has reportedly been little interest from the broadcaster in the overseas series as the winter focus is on Premier League football and the World Darts Championship.

Ashes Venues

Optus Stadium, Perth

Capacity: 61,000

The Gabba, Brisbane

Capacity: 37,000

Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

Capacity: 53,500

MCG, Melboune

Capacity: 100,000

SCG, Sydney

Capacity: 48,000

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