How to Follow the Ashes Across the BBC: Your Complete Guide to England Battle Down Under

The Ashes 2025: How to Listen, Watch, and Stay Updated Across the BBC

There’s something special about an Ashes winter. The late nights, the alarm clock ringing before dawn, the comforting sound of leather on willow echoing through the radio — it’s all part of cricket’s most iconic rivalry. This year, England travel to Australia for what promises to be one of the most eagerly anticipated Ashes series in recent memory.

With Ben Stokes leading his side back Down Under, England will be hoping to reclaim the famous urn for the first time since 2015. Their last victory on Australian soil came way back in 2010-11 — a tour still fondly remembered for the heroics of Alastair Cook, James Anderson, and Jonathan Trott. Now, a new generation will try to write its own chapter in Ashes history.

The first Test gets underway in Perth on 21 November, followed by a month and a half of gripping cricket across Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney. Whether you’re staying up all night or catching up over breakfast, the BBC has every ball, boundary, and breakthrough covered. Here’s how you can follow every moment of the Ashes across BBC Sport.

Listen Live: Ball-by-Ball Commentary on BBC Sounds and Radio

For many cricket lovers, there’s no sound quite like Test Match Special. The laughter, the banter, the crackle of the microphone — it’s part of the Ashes experience. This winter, you can tune into every ball of the series live on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, and the BBC Sport website and app (for UK listeners).

Chief cricket commentator Jonathan Agnew will once again lead the TMS team, joined by a line-up that reads like a who’s who of Ashes greats. Simon Mann and Jim Maxwell, the voice of Australian cricket, will be behind the mic, offering expert insight and perspective from both sides of the divide.

Adding even more star power, England’s 2005 Ashes-winning captain Michael Vaughan, legendary Australian paceman Glenn McGrath, and former England spinners Phil Tufnell and Alex Hartley will all be part of the commentary and punditry team. Expect sharp analysis, plenty of laughs, and a few classic TMS tangents along the way.

And of course, Andy Zaltzman, the statistician supreme, will be there crunching the numbers, pulling out the quirks and curiosities that make Test cricket endlessly fascinating.

So, whether you’re lying in bed with your headphones in or driving to work as the final session begins, the BBC will bring you closer to the action than ever.

Watch: In-Play Clips, Highlights, and The Ashes Debrief

If you prefer to see the drama unfold, BBC Sport has you covered. You’ll be able to watch in-play video clips of all the key moments on the BBC Sport website and app (UK users only).

At the close of each day’s play, there will be highlights packages available shortly after stumps — perfect for catching up if you’ve missed the overnight action. Want even more? From 17:00 GMT each day, full daily highlights will be available on BBC iPlayer, ready to stream on demand whenever it suits your schedule.

And for a fresh twist on post-match coverage, there’s The Ashes Debrief, a special end-of-play show hosted by former England spinner Alex Hartley. Each episode will break down the day’s biggest moments, discuss turning points, and feature special guests offering their take on the unfolding series. You can watch it on iPlayer or through the BBC Sport live page — ideal for anyone who wants analysis with personality.

Follow: Live Text Updates and Expert Analysis

Sometimes, words tell the story better than pictures. The BBC Sport website and app will provide comprehensive written coverage throughout the Ashes, with live text commentaries for every day of play.

The live pages are updated ball-by-ball, complete with instant reaction, witty commentary, and clips of the most important moments. Once stumps are drawn, expect detailed reports, analysis, and player ratings — a one-stop shop for everything you need to know.

To complement the live action, BBC Sport will also publish regular columns from Ashes icons Glenn McGrath, Jonathan Agnew, and former England fast bowler Steven Finn, offering unique insight into tactics, psychology, and performance throughout the series.

Can’t stay up for the whole match? No problem. You can sign up for cricket alerts through the BBC Sport app to receive instant updates — including wickets, score changes, and breaking news — straight to your phone. It’s the perfect way to wake up to the latest from Perth, Brisbane, or Sydney before your morning coffee.

Listen Again: Podcasts for Every Ashes Fan

No matter how you like your cricket content — insightful, hilarious, nostalgic, or statistical — there’s a BBC podcast for you this Ashes season.

Each day of the series, there will be a Test Match Special podcast hosted by Agnew, Vaughan, and the TMS team, featuring match analysis, interviews, and all the latest news between games.

For something lighter, the Tailenders podcast — featuring James Anderson, Greg James, and Felix White — will have regular Ashes specials, combining cricket chat with the trademark Tailenders chaos. After each Test, they’ll even have a video special available on iPlayer.

Then there’s No Balls: The Cricket Podcast, hosted by Alex Hartley and Kate Cross, which will produce special Ashes-themed episodes throughout the series. Their honest, hilarious takes on the game make for perfect listening on long winter mornings.

The BBC World Service will also release new episodes of its Stumped podcast each week, offering a more global perspective on the series.

And that’s not all — Ashes legend Stuart Broad and England white-ball captain Jos Buttler will feature in For the Love of Cricket, sharing personal reflections and behind-the-scenes stories from their time in the game.

All of this, plus a special From The Ashes documentary series revisiting personal tales from past Ashes players, will be available on BBC Sounds.

Oh, and if you fancy a bit of trivia, Andy Zaltzman’s daily quiz question will return on the TMS feed — with the answers revealed during the live text commentary.

Stay Connected: Social Media and Behind-the-Scenes Access

Finally, if you’re scrolling through your phone between overs or looking for quick clips and reactions, the BBC Cricket Instagram account will have you covered. Expect match-day coverage, interviews, reaction from pundits, and plenty of behind-the-scenes content from the TMS team in Australia.

From snapshots of the commentary box to light-hearted moments on tour, it’s a great way to stay connected with the series in real time. Plus, the latest from Tailenders, No Balls, and Test Match Special will all be featured across BBC social media channels.

A Winter of Cricket You Won’t Want to Miss

From the first ball in Perth to the final handshake in Sydney, the BBC will be your home for every twist and turn of the 2025-26 Ashes series.

Whether you’re tuning in live, catching up with highlights, or listening to expert voices dissect the drama, one thing’s for sure — the Ashes are back, and you won’t miss a moment of it.

So, charge your headphones, set your alarm, and get ready. It’s time for another unforgettable England-Australia showdown — and the BBC will be with you every step of the way.