Australia vs England live stream: how to watch Ashes 1st Test cricket from anywhere

Joe Root batting for England against Australia in the Ashes

(Image credit: Philip Brown/Popperfoto/Popperfoto via Getty Images)

After two seriously less than ideal days of the 2021-22 Ashes for England - and a glorious beginning for Australia - Joe Root is leading the fight back at the Gabba-toire. Don't miss another minute - read on as we explain how to watch an Ashes 1st Test live stream from wherever you are in the world.

The tourists have already been written off for this year's Ashes by many with England without doubt the underdogs, a status that has only been solidified by a dreadful first day that started with Rory Burns being clean bowled by Mitchell Starc with the very first ball of the series.

Australia vs England 1st Test live stream

Dates: December 8 - 12

Time: 11am AEDT / 12am GMT / 1pm NZDT / 5.30am IST / 7pm ET

Venue: The Gabba, Brisbane, Australia

FREE Ashes live stream: Kayo Sports (14-day trial)

Global live streams: BT Sport (UK) | Sony Six (India) | Sky Sport (NZ) | Willow TV via Sling TV (US) | ICC.TV

Watch anywhere: try ExpressVPN 100% risk-free

And things didn't get much better from there for the visitors, with Travis Head scoring a masterful century for the Aussies as they built a massive lead. Now it's captain Root and Dawid Malan who are hoping to take the 1st Test all the way to a fifth day and put the result in the balance.

The fun is just beginning, though, so follow our guide for all the details you need to find a reliable Australia vs England live stream and watch the Ashes 1st Test online from anywhere - best of all, fans in Australia can watch the Ashes for free on Channel 7 (with online Ashes live stream is available on Kayo Sports - you can watch for free with a 14-day Kayo Sports trial).

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How to watch the Ashes FREE: live stream 1st Test in Australia

Down Under, cricket fans can live stream every match of every Ashes Test on Kayo Sports. This ad-free Ashes coverage is available through Fox Cricket, and can be streamed on your laptop or mobile wherever you are using the <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=92X363&xcust=hawk-custom-tracking&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxtel.com.au%2Ffoxtel-go.html&sref" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - foxtel.com.au"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Foxtel Go app or the great-value streaming service <a href="https://goto.kayosports.com.au/c/338476/515039/8808?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fkayosports.com.au%2F" data-link-merchant="kayosports.com.au"" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - foxtel.com.au"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Kayo Sports. If you do like the idea of giving it a go, Kayo's plans come with a <a href="https://goto.kayosports.com.au/c/338476/515039/8808?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fkayosports.com.au%2F" data-link-merchant="kayosports.com.au"" data-link-merchant="kayosports.com.au"" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - foxtel.com.au"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">FREE 14-day trial.

Not in Australia right now? <a href="https://go.expressvpn.com/c/4550836/1330033/16063?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fexpressvpn.com%2Ftechradar%3Foffer%3D3monthsfree%26a_fid%3D744" data-link-merchant="expressvpn.com"" data-link-merchant="kayosports.com.au"" data-link-merchant="kayosports.com.au"" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - foxtel.com.au"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Use a VPN if you're away from home to tap into your domestic coverage.

If you happen to have access to a TV throughout the series, though, then you won't have to pay a penny because Channel 7 will televise the Ashes for free. Do beware, though, that there is no Ashes coverage on the 7Plus streaming service as we previously reported.

Play gets underway at 11am AEDT on all five days of the 1st Ashes Test, with coverage starting an hour in advance.

How to watch Australia vs England: live stream Ashes in the UK

In the UK you can watch the Ashes via <a href="https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/bt-sport-explained" data-link-merchant="techradar.com"">BT Sport, but be warned that all of the action from the 1st Test is set to take place in the early hours of the morning.

Play begins at midnight on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning, and BT's coverage starts an hour earlier - but this being the Ashes, you know it'll be worth losing sleep over.

Don't forget that <a href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=3041&awinaffid=103504&clickref=hawk-custom-tracking&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bt.com%2Fexp%2Fsport%2Fmonthly-pass" data-link-merchant="bt.com"" data-link-merchant="techradar.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">BT now has a £25 Monthly Pass, so you can get everything BT Sport has to offer, including <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/watch-champions-league-live-stream-2021-22" data-link-merchant="techradar.com"" data-link-merchant="bt.com"" data-link-merchant="techradar.com"">Champions League football and UFC, without a long-term commitment.

The BT Sport app will let subscribers watch the Ashes on any number of devices, including mobiles, tablets, consoles and smart TVs.

How to watch Ashes 2021 from outside your country

Below we've got you covered with your official broadcasting options for major cricket loving countries (and the US!), but if you're outside your country of residence and try to start streaming Ashes cricket via your local broadcaster, you'll soon discover that you can't, as it's location restricted. But there is a way to tune in regardless.

By downloading and installing a VPN, you can effectively trick your computer into thinking that it's back at home. That way you can enjoy your home coverage without having to find an illegal stream - assuming you comply with the broadcaster's fine print, of course - specifically its terms and conditions.

Use a VPN to live stream Ashes cricket from anywhere

<a href="https://go.expressvpn.com/c/4550836/1330033/16063?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fexpressvpn.com%2Ftechradar%3Foffer%3D3monthsfree%26a_fid%3D744" data-link-merchant="expressvpn.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">ExpressVPN is the world's top VPN right now
We've taken the time to try out all the biggest VPN providers and we found ExpressVPN to be the pick of the bunch. It works with lots of devices and offers super fast connections across its many servers.

Throw in its robust set of security features and ExpressVPN is the best all-round VPN for streaming - and perhaps best of all, it has a <a href="https://go.expressvpn.com/c/4550836/1330033/16063?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fexpressvpn.com%2Ftechradar%3Foffer%3D3monthsfree%26a_fid%3D744" data-link-merchant="expressvpn.com"" data-link-merchant="expressvpn.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">30-day money back guarantee plus 3 months FREE when you subscribe for a year.

Access ExpressVPN via your laptop, iPhone, tablet, Android phone, PlayStation, Xbox and plenty more. Express is a do-it-all service that also benefits from 24/7 customer support.

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Using a VPN is as easy as one-two-three...

1. Download and install a VPN - as we say, our top choice is ExpressVPN

2. Connect to the appropriate server location - open the VPN app, hit 'choose location' and select the appropriate location

3. Go to the broadcaster's stream - head to your home broadcaster's site or app and watch as if you were at home - so that's Kayo Sports for Aussies and BT Sport for UK cricket fans

The Ashes trophy on a cricket pitch — (Image credit: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

How to live stream 2021 Ashes in New Zealand

<a href="https://www.sky.co.nz/sport" data-link-merchant="sky.co.nz"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Sky Sport is the place to watch the 2021 Ashes in New Zealand, with play getting underway at 1pm NZDT on each afternoon of the Australia vs England 1st Test.

The network is available as part of a range of pay TV packages, and Sky Sport subscribers can also live stream the action via the Sky Go service.

Cord-cutters and anyone else, meanwhile, can try the Sky Sport Now streaming-only platform - where a weekly pass costs just $19.99.

Anyone in New Zealand from abroad or vice-versa can <a href="https://go.expressvpn.com/c/4550836/1330033/16063?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fexpressvpn.com%2Ftechradar%3Foffer%3D3monthsfree%26a_fid%3D744" data-link-merchant="expressvpn.com"" data-link-merchant="sky.co.nz"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">use the VPN route outlined earlier to access their preferred coverage just like they would at home.

2021 Ashes live stream: how to watch Australia vs England Test cricket in India

In India, the Sony Sports Network has the rights to broadcast the Ashes, and play gets underway at 5.30am IST on each day of the Australia vs England 1st Test.

<a href="https://www.sonyliv.com/" data-link-merchant="sonyliv.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Sony Six will telecast the action with English commentary, while Sony Ten 3 will offer matches with Hindi commentary, and lastly Sony Ten 4 will broadcast in regional languages.

If you prefer to live stream the Ashes on the go, you can do so with <a href="https://www.sonyliv.com/subscription" data-link-merchant="sonyliv.com"" data-link-merchant="sonyliv.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Sony Liv, but you'll need a premium subscription to watch the Ashes live, which costs Rs 999 for a year, Rs 699 for six months, or Rs 299 per month.

Jio users can watch the series free of cost with the JioTV mobile app.

Anyone outside of India who wants to watch their home cricket coverage can just <a href="https://go.expressvpn.com/c/4550836/1330033/16063?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fexpressvpn.com%2Ftechradar%3Foffer%3D3monthsfree%26a_fid%3D744" data-link-merchant="expressvpn.com"" data-link-merchant="sonyliv.com"" data-link-merchant="sonyliv.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">pick up a good VPN and follow the instructions above to safely live stream the action.

The best data plans to catch all the live action (India-only)

Australia vs England live stream: where to watch Ashes cricket in the US (and Canada)

In the US, play gets underway at 7pm ET / 4pm PT each day of the Australia vs England 1st Test, continuing late into the night. The first day commences on Tuesday for those Stateside.

The Ashes are being shown by dedicated cricket streaming service <a href="https://www.willow.tv/" data-link-merchant="willow.tv"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Willow TV, which is available from a number of cable providers in the US and Canada.

Willow TV subscribers can also use their cable provider’s login details on willow.tv to stream the Ashes right from their computer. Alternatively, Willow TV also has apps for Android and iOS.

A better option for those looking for an alternative to cable would be to opt for a cord-cutting streaming service like <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/sling-tv-explained" data-link-merchant="techradar.com"" data-link-merchant="willow.tv"">Sling TV.

If you already have Sling, you can add Willow TV for an extra $5 for one month. And if you don't, then you can currently bag a big six of a bargain by getting Sling TV, which features 30+ channels, for <a href="https://sling-tv.pxf.io/c/221109/1132376/14334?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sling.com%2Finternational%2Fdesi-tv%2Fcricket" data-link-merchant="sling.com"" data-link-merchant="techradar.com"" data-link-merchant="willow.tv"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">only $10 for your first month.

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2021 Ashes schedule: Test dates and times

1st Test: Dec 8-12 一 The Gabba, Brisbane 一 11am AEDT / 12am GMT
2nd Test: Dec 16-20 一 Adelaide Oval, Adelaide 一 3pm AEDT / 4am GMT
3rd Test: Dec 26-30 一 MCG, Melbourne 一 10.30am AEDT / 11.30pm GMT
4th Test: Jan 5-9 一 SCG, Sydney 一 10.30am AEDT / 11.30pm GMT
5th Test: Jan 14-18 一 TBC 一 TBC

Aatif is a freelance copywriter and journalist based in the UK. He’s written about technology, science and politics for publications including Gizmodo, The Independent, Trusted Reviews and Newsweek, but focuses on streaming at Future, an arrangement that combines two of his greatest passions: sport and penny-pinching.