Overview:
Australia and England have featured in 361 Test matches. Australia have won 152 matches compared to the England team’s 112.
The Australian cricket team gears up for the 1st clash of the 5-match Test series against England, starting on November 21. The match is set to be held at the Optus Stadium in Perth.
Both Australia and England will feature in their 2nd series of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle. With a PCT of 100, Australia own a 100% win record. They beat West Indies 3-0 in their lone series away.
England were held 2-2 by India in a 5-Test series at home. And now, they play another 5-Test series against Australia.
England, who lost 4-0 in Australia both in 2017-18 and 2021-22, will be up for a severe test. Despite the Aussies missing two of their premier bowlers, they will back themselves to hunt England down, who will bank on a pace-heavy unit.
England squad for the Perth Test
Ben Stokes (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Mark Wood.
Australia squad for the Perth Test
Steve Smith (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster.
Australia and England have featured in 361 Test matches. Australia have won 152 matches compared to the England team’s 112. A total of 97 matches have been drawn. In Australia, the two teams have met on 185 occasions. The hosts have claimed 99 wins besides losing 57. A total of 29 matches have been drawn.
Australia probable XI for the match against England
Usman Khawaja, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (c), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland, Brendan Doggett.
England probable XI for the match against Australia
Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood.
The 1st Test will start at 8:00 am IST on November 21.
Optus Stadium, Perth & Key Details of the Stadium
The Optus Stadium, Perth, is located in Western Australia. It was completed in late 2017 and opened in January 2018. It’s the 3rd-largest stadium in Australia. Australian rules football is also played here in this multi-sport venue alongside cricket. The stadium is also home to the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League.
The stadium has played home to 5 Test matches. Besides, the stadium has hosted 4 ODIs and 8 T20Is to date.
What is the Pitch like at Optus Stadium, Perth?
The wicket is expected to be pacy and bouncy in nature. Expect both sides to go in with at least 4 viable pace options. England may go with 5 pacers. The surface is expected to be difficult for the side chasing in the 4th innings. However, one feels it will be an even contest between bat and ball from Day 1 onwards, before things change a bit on Day 4 and 5. The Optus Stadium has hosted only 5 Tests, and things have been different in terms of the surface. However, pacers will enjoy it here, and batsmen need to be watchful before settling in.
Key Stats & Records at Optus Stadium, Perth
A total of 5 Test matches have been played here. Australia have won 4 games and suffered one defeat. Notably, they are meeting England for the 1st time here in Tests.
Australia hold the highest team total record here, scoring 598/4d against West Indies in 2022. Meanwhile, they own the 2nd-lowest score here, scoring 104 all out against India in 2024.
Marnus Labuschagne owns the most runs here among batsmen, scoring an impressive 524 runs at 74.85 from 4 Tests. He has smashed three hundreds and a fifty here. Travis Head and Steve Smith are next with 391 and 372 runs respectively.
Among bowlers, Nathan Lyon owns 29 wickets here at 20.86 from 5 matches. Mitchell Starc is next best with 26 scalps at 21.61, as per ESPNcricinfo.
The average run rate for teams batting first here in Tests read as 3.44 across 5 games. This drops to 2.83 for teams batting 2nd.
AUS vs ENG: Weather Forecast – Will Rain Play a Role?
According to the weather forecast, conditions will be fine for the majority of the Test. However, one could see a slight chance of showers on the opening two days. The weather is set to be comfortable across the match with temperatures in the mid-20s. Even if it rains, it’s expected to be passing showers.
Australia vs England: Pitch Advantage for Which Side?
All things considered, both sides will be up for it on a surface that will assist pace. England may consider an all-pace attack and leave Shoaib Bashir out. Australia will rely on 4 pace options and bank on spinner Nathan Lyon, who has a solid record here. Australia are slightly ahead in terms of balance on this surface at the Optus Stadium.
FAQs – Pitch Report for Optus Stadium, Perth
What is the pitch report for Optus Stadium, Perth
The wicket is expected to be pacy and bouncy in nature. Expect both sides to go in with at least 4 viable pace options. England may go with 5 pacers. The surface is expected to be difficult for the side chasing in the 4th innings. However, one feels it will be an even contest between bat and ball from Day 1 onwards before things change a bit on Day 4 and 5.
What is AUS and ENG’s record at Optus Stadium, Perth?
The two teams are set to meet each other for the 1st time here at the Optus Stadium. Meanwhile, Australia have played 5 games here in total, winning 4 and losing one.