The much-awaited Ashes 2025-26 series between England and Australia is just over a month away, and verbal volleys between the two sides have already begun.
This is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated series in the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle as England will aim to reclaim the urn from their arch-rivals.
England's opener Zak Crawley has now fired a verbal shot towards the Aussies as he mentioned that England won't be the 'nice guys' this series. He also mentioned that 'Bazball' winds up the Aussies.
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England won't be the nice guys this time around - Zak Crawley ahead of Ashes
One of the most exciting cricketing events, The Ashes, is just around the corner. The marquee series will kick off on November 21st and is being hosted by Australia.
England does not enjoy a very good record on Australian soil, as their last Ashes victory away from home came way back in 2011-12. However, ahead of the big series, the English opener has ensured that their side won't shy away from the challenge.
"Bazball really winds them up, doesn’t it?" Crawley said in a candid interview in The Times, "Which is great. If they get wound up, then that’s better for us.
"All that stuff after the last series, talking about ‘the moral Ashes’ after what happened with Jonny Bairstow, that was just a consequence of us drawing the series. In my eyes, if they’d won, they would never have said it, so it’s a compliment that they felt the need."
While England did not enjoy a very good WTC cycle last time around, they have started the most recent cycle in a good manner. The side drew the series 2-2 against India earlier this year and looked in good shape with their skipper Ben Stokes in his prime.
"It’s important to stand up for yourself, and I feel like we showed in the India series we’re not just nice guys who are going to roll over. That’ll be important in Australia, to front up at times. And I like that side of it," added the opener.
The India vs England series saw a lot of heated moments involving the players from both sides. It was also considered one of the best Test series in the history of the sport, with each game going to the last day.
England vs Australia Ashes 2025-26 schedule
| Match | Date | Venue |
| 1st Ashes Test | November 21-25 | Perth |
| 2nd Ashes Test | December 4-8 | Brisbane |
| 3rd Ashes Test | December 17-21 | Adelaide |
| 4th Ashes Test | December 26-30 | Melbourne |
| 5th Ashes Test | January 4-8 | Sydney |
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