'Go at him': Michael Vaughan backs England's plan to take down Scott Boland in Ashes opener

Cricket fans are in for an absolute treat this summer, with one of the most highly-anticipated Ashes series of the modern era descending upon Australia.

After a fiery last edition on English soil in 2023, the two bitter rivals will square off again in what promises to be an epic five-game clash in November, December and January.

England are coming into the series with plenty of confidence, while the hosts will be without captain and one of the world's best bowlers Pat Cummins for the first Test.

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In his place will be cult hero Scott Boland, who has a terrific record on home soil since making his debut for Australia and will have the touring players feeling nervous.

However, according to former England captain Michael Vaughan, the reliable seamer is the one player the visitors will want to target.

"Of all the venues, I think Boland's going to suit Perth," Vaughan told The Age.

"He's going to hit that length, and the question is how England counteracts that. I think they'll probably go at him. We'll try to knock him off his balance and probably run at him and try to hit him, which comes with a great deal of danger.

"I'm intrigued to see how the England batters play Scotty Boland."

Boland has taken 49 wickets at an average of 12 while playing in Australia.

Here's everything you need to know ahead of a blockbuster Test series.

Ashes 2025 match schedule

The series kicks off in Perth on November 21 and could run all the way through until the first week of January in Sydney.

• 1st Test: November 21-25, Optus Stadium
• 2nd Test: December 4-8, The Gabba
• 3rd Test: December 17-21, Adelaide Oval
• 4th Test: December 26-30, Melbourne Cricket Ground
• 5th Test: December 4-8, Sydney Cricket Ground

Where will the Ashes be played in 2025?

The five cities that will host Ashes matches this summer are Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.

How to watch the Ashes in Australia

The Ashes will be broadcast live on Fox Cricket throughout the series.

What date is the Perth Ashes Test?

The first Test begins on Friday, November 21 at Optus Stadium.

If it goes the entire five days, it will go through until November 25.

Will there be a day-night Ashes Test?

Yes - the second Test of the series will be the day-night Test.

This year, Brisbane will host the pink-ball clash from December 4 onwards.

What time do The Ashes matches start?

There will be plenty of variations for start times throughout the Ashes due to different Australian time zones and the standard day-night Test as well.

• 1st Test - 1.20pm AEDT / 12.20pm AEST / 10.20am AWST / 12.50pm ACDT
• 2nd Test - 3pm AEDT / 2pm AEST / 12pm AWST / 2.30pm ACDT
• 3rd Test - 10.30am AEDT / 9.30am AEST / 7.30am AWST / 10am ACDT
• 4th Test - 10.30am AEDT / 9.30am AEST / 7.30am AWST / 10am ACDT
• 5th Test - 10.30am AEDT / 9.30am AEST / 7.30am AWST / 10am ACDT

How often are the Ashes played?

Historically, the Ashes are played every two years, alternating between England and Australia as the host nations.

The last series was held in 2023 during the English summer and Australian winter.

Australia squad for Ashes 2025/26

Australia named a 15-man squad for the first Test match in Perth only, with skipper Pat Cummins expected to be back by the second or third game of the series.

1st Test squad: Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster

England squad for Ashes 2025/26

Ben Stokes (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue, Mark Wood

Who are the captains for Australia and England?

Pat Cummins is Australia's first-choice Test captain, but will be unavailable for the first match of the series and will be replaced by Steve Smith.

Ben Stokes will captain the tourists this summer.

What is the story of the Ashes urn?

The backstory of the Ashes urn centres around a satirical obituary published in English newspaper The Sporting Times after Australia defeated England in 1882, which marked the first time they had defeated their rivals on UK soil.

The article claimed that English cricket had died and "the body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia" and the urn has since become the symbol for the series.

What happens if The Ashes series is a draw?

If the Ashes series finishes in a draw, whoever is in possession of the urn will retain it.

The last series in 2023 finished as a draw, which meant Australia retained the urn because of their victory in the 2021 series on home soil.

England have not won a series since the 2015 edition at home, with the Aussies claiming the urn during the 2017-18 series and holding onto the urn ever since.