The Ashes 2025/26 Free Streams: TV Channels, Full Schedule & The Gabba Test 2 Preview for Australia vs England
Michael Neser comes in for Nathan Lyon as England bat first in Brisbane
- Live stream The Ashes for *FREE* on 7Plus
- Listen on Test Match Special
- Unblock your stream with NordVPN (75% OFF)
- 2nd Test: December 4-8, daily start times: 4am GMT / 3pm AEDT / 11pm ET (Wed.)
The 2nd Ashes Test could be crucial to the destination of the urn. England are 1-0 down and only once has a side come from 2-0 down to win the Ashes – a Bradman-inspired Australia in the era of timeless tests.
This 2nd Test is a pink-ball day-night game. It is normally easier to bat in such tests during daylight as the ball tends to nip around under floodlights.
Australia are more expert and successful at day-night tests than England. They have won 13 out of 14 such matches; England two out of seven.
Bazball focuses on its batsmen snatching the initiative from opposition bowlers. But it often fails to recognise that when this has been achieved, batsmen can simply consolidate their dominant position. At Perth, like Lord's last Ashes, England threw away a winning position by needless harem-scarem batting.
But England's Bazball philosophy could serve them well this test. Batting aggressively in the more benign conditions earlier in the day could be good tactics.
But in Travis Head, Australia have their own destroyer of bowling. In a low-scoring 1st Test he made the second-fastest century in Ashes history, off 69 balls.
Australia’s leader of the attack, Mitchell Starc will be a formidable opponent. He bowled England out in the last test with red ball ,and he is far more effective – we’re talking nearly 12 runs a wicket better – with the pink ball.
This game could be gripping viewing, with runs and wickets coming at a frantic rate.
Read on as we explain how to watch The Ashes 2025/26 between Australia and England from anywhere in the world, including free options.
How to watch The Ashes 2025/26 for free
For those in Australia, 7Plus is streaming The 2025/26 Ashes free on their platform.
New to 7Plus? Register for a free account to watch 7Plus online.
Don't forget. You will need an Australian postcode (e.g. 2025) to access Channel 7's streaming service.
Traveling outside Australia during The Ashes? You can use a VPN to watch all the action free of charge as if you were back at home. NordVPN is our top pick of the options.
Use a VPN to watch any Ashes stream
If you're keen to watch the cricket but you're away from home and your preferred coverage is geo-blocked, you could always use a VPN to access it (assuming you're not breaching any broadcaster T&Cs, of course). You may be surprised by how simple it is to do.
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Get NordVPN and stream The Ashes from anywhere in the world.
How to watch The Ashes 2025/26 live streams in the US
In the US, dedicated cricket streaming service Willow TV is the place to watch every Test match of The 2025/26 Ashes.
The Gabba Test will get underway at 11pm ET / 8pm PT on Wednesday, 3 December.
If you don't have it as part of your cable package, you can watch Willow coverage through your choice of Sling TV's Desi Binge Plus or Dakshin Flex plans – starting from $10 per month.
Visiting the US from Australia? Use NordVPN to watch 7Plus' free stream of Australia vs England.
How to watch The Ashes 2025/26 live streams in the UK
In the UK, TNT Sports will be broadcasting all five Ashes Tests. The day-night Test in Brisbane will have a 4am start time.
To access TNT Sports, you'll either need to add it to your TV package, or you can take out a standalone subscription via Discovery+, which will set you back from £30.99 per month. This will also give you access to Premier League, Champions League and Europa League football while the test matches aren't ongoing.
Remember. NordVPN is your best bet to access TNT Sports' stream while you're out of the country.
How to watch The Ashes 2025/26 live streams in India
To watch the Ashes in India you'll need Star Sports to tune in on TV, or the JioHotstar app to watch on mobile devices. Prices start at Rs. 299 ($3.49) for Hotstar.
In India, you will have to tune in at 11:30am IST for the Gabba Test.
Visiting India from Australia? Use NordVPN to access 7Plus' free stream while away from home.
How to watch The Ashes 2025-26 live streams in Australia
Those in Australia have two options. Channel 7 are broadcasting the series free on television and via its streaming service 7Plus.
But, all five Test matches are also on Fox Sports. A cost-efficient option to see their coverage is specialist sports streamer Kayo Sports, with plans starting from $30 a month after you've taken advantage of its first month from $1 offer or 7-day free trial.
The 2nd Ashes Test will begin at 2pm AEST in Brisbane.
Remember if you're out of Australia at all during The Ashes get yourself a VPN to stream 7Plus from anywhere in the world.
How to watch The Ashes 2025-26 live streams in South Africa
The Ashes will be shown on Supersport in South Africa.
You'll need to get a DStv access package to watch the all five tests with prices starting at Rs99/month for the streaming version.
The first ball will be bowled at 6am SAST.
Abroad right now? Just use a VPN and tell your device that you're back home and you'll be good to go.
How to watch The Ashes 2025/26 in New Zealand
In New Zealand, Sky Sport NZ is your go to for The Ashes.
You can access Sky Sport through satellite TV or get a live stream with the Sky Sport Now subscription service starting at $29.99 per day or $54.99 per month.
Start time for the 2nd Test is 5pm NZST on Thursday, 4 December.
Those outside of New Zealand for a Test match or the series can use NordVPN to gain access to their home streaming service.
The Ashes 2025/26 Q+A
What time does play start in the Australia v England 2nd Test?
Play in the Brisbane Test at The Gabba is scheduled to start at 11pm ET (day before) / 4am GMT / 2pm AEST / 3pm AEDT / 9:30am IST each day.
What is the schedule for the Ashes series 2025-26?
- 21-25 November: 1st Test, Perth – Australia won by 8 wickets
- 4-8 December: 2nd Test, Brisbane
- 17-21 December: 3rd Test, Adelaide
- 26-30 December: 4th Test, Melbourne
- 4-8 January: 5th Test, Sydney
What are the playing XI's for the second Ashes test?
Australia XI: Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (c), Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey (wk), Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Brendan Doggett.
England XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer.
Can I listen to The Ashes 2025/26?
Yes. The UK's iconic Test Match Special will be broadcasting ball-by-ball coverage on Radio 5 Sports Extra. Michael Vaughan, Phil Tufnell, Glenn McGrath and a host of other top stars will all be giving their opinions.
And if you miss the day's play, don't forget to listen to the TMS Podcast afterwards.
To access this you will need a BBC account and if you're out of the UK at any point during the Test match series then make sure to use NordVPN.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

Roderick is a freelance sports journalist and a crossword complier. He is the author of six books, including the critically acclaimed comic golf novel Summer At Tangents, which was named one of Country Life magazine's Books of The Year. He has also written five non-fiction books including The Novel Life of PG Wodehouse; The Don: Beyond Boundaries; Wally Hammond: Gentleman & Player and England’s Greatest Post-War All Rounder. An erratic fast bowler in his youth, Roderick became an erratic medium pacer in his autumn playing days. His last wicket was a stumping, which made him decide it was time to retire. He now occasionally plays for the MCC – but for their golf team. He is a member of Trevose and has played golf in around two dozen countries.
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