A Fixx Nutrition Preview of the 2025/2026 Ashes Series: Australia vs England

Over the past few years CrampFix has become a favourite addition to cricketers kitbags. Cricketers playing in matches in places as far apart as Pakistan to New Zealand, Australia to England have been seen reaching for CrampFix to manage cramps. 

The team at Fixx Nutrition have always been massive fans of cricket, but consistently seeing cricketers use CrampFix as their ‘go-to’ supplement to deal with the effects of muscle cramping (read this great interview with Alex Munt here to learn more about this) has made us pay even closer attention. 

This is why we are so excited for the 2025/2026 Ashes Series between Australia and England this summer. To be played in grounds across Australia before the return series against England in the northern summer of 2027, this series is very evenly poised with Australia suffering some key injuries on the eve of the first match in Perth this weekend. 

The fact is that there are very few rivalries in world sport that carry the history, tension and raw emotion of the Ashes. 

Since 1882, cricket’s fiercest contest has become a marker of national pride for both Australia and England - to such an extent that at times it has been a source of diplomatic intervention! 

What Happened in the Last Ashes Series

The last Ashes series in England in 2023 ended in a 2–2 draw, allowing Australia to retain the urn. England’s aggressive “Bazball” approach redefined Test cricket. It was played fiercely between the two rivals which is seen as one the greatest series of Test cricket ever played. 

Now, back on Australian soil, Australia will look to reassert its dominance. England on the other hand is arriving with unfinished business, renewed belief and revenge on its mind. 

For Australian captain Pat Cummins  the mission is clear; to continue their reign at home and cement their legacy as one of the most balanced and ruthless sides of the modern era. For English captain Ben Stokes, the goal is to prove that they can conquer Australia’s pace-friendly and hot conditions. 

Now that the context has been laid, let’s take a look at what’s in store over the summer for each match of the 2025/2026 Ashes Series. 

Series Schedule: Where the Matches will be Played and What is at Stake 

The Ashes will be played across five Tests between November 2025 and January 2026, touring Australia’s most celebrated cricketing venues.

1. 1st Test — Perth Stadium, Perth
   21–25 November 2025
   Click here for a  preview of what’s in store.
   
   

2. 2nd Test — The Gabba, Brisbane
   4–8 December 2025. Click here for details.
   
   

3. 3rd Test — Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (Day/Night Test)
   16–21 December 2025. Click here for details
   
   

4. 4th Test — Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Melbourne
   25–30 December 2025 The Boxing Day Test: it has become a national event in itself, steeped in tradition and spectacle. Click here for details.
   
   

5. 5th Test — Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), Sydney
   3–8 January 2026. The series finale. Click here for details. 

Each venue has its own Ashes folklore and unique conditions:

• Perth: Heat, pace bowling and atmosphere. 

• The Gabba: Heat, humidity, afternoon thunderstorms and Mitchell Johnson’s match-changing spell in the 2013/2014 Ashes Series. 

• Adelaide: Classic contests and iconic batting performances at the majestic Adelaide Oval - seen as one of the world’s great cricket grounds. 

• Melbourne: Boxing Day brilliance before 90,000 fans - outside of the AFL Grand Final it is perhaps the most iconic day on the Australian sporting calendar. 

• Sydney: New Years Test, ‘spin is king,’ tradition  and series deciders (hopefully not impacted by rain!) 

The Importance of Fuelling, Recovery and Nutrition Over the Five Tests

The travel load, tight schedule, and mental demands of a two-month campaign will test squad depth as much as skill. Both teams will rely heavily on recovery science, rotation policies, nutrition and player management - especially for the fast-bowlers. 

It is important to also note the demands on cricketers bodies due to the hot conditions that they often play in. Hydration is key and this overview will give you an idea of how they will look to counter dehydration by a considered fuelling strategy as part of their preparation. 

Players to Watch

Australia

• Pat Cummins – Captain and strike weapon; his control and aggression will shape the tone of the series. A massive out for the first test in Perth. 

• Steve Smith – The backbone of Australia’s batting order, with an extraordinary Ashes record - he will be relied upon to anchor the Australian batsman. 

• Mitchell Starc – His left-arm pace and swing are lethal under lights in Adelaide and at the Gabba.

• Travis Head – The aggressor-in-chief whose counterpunching innings can turn matches in minutes.

• Scott Boland - with Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins both to miss the first test, Australia will rely on the metronomic line and pace of Boland to take advantage of the fast-bowler friendly conditions in Perth to ensure Australia can start the series with a win. 

Click here for a full overview of the Australian line-up. 

England

• Ben Stokes – Captain and the heartbeat of English cricket, with his leadership, intent and willpower a major factor in the performance of the team. 

• Joe Root – Despite his still youthful appearance this highly experienced veteran still remains technically brilliant and mentally unbreakable; he remains England’s anchor.

• Harry Brook – Explosive cricketer who characterises ‘Bazball’s’ aggressive approach to Test cricket. 

• Mark Wood –He is England’s express pace option and will be vital on Australia’s fast pitches.

• Jofra Archer – England’s ‘X-factor’ who can devastate batting orders in a single innings when on-song. 

Click here for a full overview of the England line-up. 

Looking Ahead

This series will have global interest such is its iconic status among cricket (and sports fans) globally. With the massive resurgence of Test cricket over the past few years we can expect packed stadiums, high broadcast audiences and the fantastic banter between the ‘Barmy Army’ and Australian fans to ensure high levels of interest across the summer. 

The Verdict

The 2025/2026 Ashes Series is evenly poised due to the injuries on the Australian front. We can look to expect five Tests of intensity, unpredictability and brilliance. The urn may be small, but the stakes couldn’t be bigger for English and Australian cricketers (and fans).