How to watch The Ashes 1st Test: live stream Australia vs England, free options, start times
After all the buildup, it's finally game on. Perth's fast, bouncy track plays host to the vital 1st Test...
The Australia vs England 1st Test live streams could have a massive bearing on The Ashes 2025/26. Four years ago, Mitchell Starc bowled England opener Rory Burns first ball to set the tone for the 4-0 Australia series win that followed. Expect more fireworks from the off in Perth as the old enemies collide. Don't miss a ball.
You can catch every run, wicket and sledge from the Australia vs England 1st Test unfold live for free on 7Plus from anywhere in the world using a VPN.
The Australia vs England 1st Test live stream takes place Friday, November 21 to Tuesday, November 25.
► Daily start time: 9:20 p.m. ET (20 Nov.) / 6:20 p.m. PT (20 Nov.) / 2:20 a.m. GMT / 1:30 p.m. AEDT
● FREE live streams — 7Plus (AUS)
• U.S. — Willow TV via Sling TV
• U.K. — TNT Sports via Discovery+
• Watch anywhere — NordVPN (75% off)
Australia have won four of the five matches played at Perth Stadium, which replaced the nearby Waca after the 2017 Ashes, but it's still a slight surprise that authorities have decided on the 1st Test here. Nicknamed the Gabbatoir, Brisbane's The Gabba is the traditional start for the Ashes and where England have won just two of their last 20 outings dating back to 1946. Nevertheless, Starc will seek to use the Fremantle Doctor – Perth's notorious cooling afternoon breeze – to his advantage in the absence of fellow pace bowlers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, both injured. Brendan Doggett will make a Test debut, while Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green should come in.
England, meanwhile, have selected a 12-man squad for the 1st Test as they wait to see what the Perth pitch is looking like. The touring Poms had been expected to name and all-pace attack of Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse, but off-spinner Shoaib Bashir has been included ahead of the pitch inspection. Should Bashir get the nod, Carse is expected to miss out on a surface where only eight wickets have fallen to foreign spinners. Ben Stokes will return to captain the side after injury and the all-rounder has looked in good bowling form in the nets, while Ollie Pope has won the race with Jacob Bethell to bat at No3. All eyes will be on Joe Root, the world's top-ranked batter who is yet to score a century on Australian turf, as the attacking 'Bazball' proponents seek a second series win Down Under since the 1980s.
Sporting occasions don't get any bigger than this.
Read on and we'll show you how to watch Australia vs England 1st Test in The Ashes 2025/26 online from anywhere in the world.
Can you watch The Ashes 1st Test for free?
Australian viewers are in luck as every run, wicket and catch of the 2025/26 Ashes is being broadcast on Channel 7 and 7Plus for free.
All you need is an account with a valid Australian postcode (e.g. 2000) and you'll be good to go.
Outside Oz for any of the test matches? A VPN like Nord will help you unlock your free Australia vs England 1st Test streams from anywhere in the world.
How to watch The Ashes 1st Test from anywhere
Outside your country right now and being blocked from watching your usual cricket streams, like Australia vs England 1st Test in The Ashes 2025/26, by geo-blockers?
You can still watch your usual cricket live stream thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network). The software makes your devices to appear to be back in your home country regardless of where in the world you are. Ideal for soccer fans away on vacation or on business. Our favorite is NordVPN. It's the best on the market:
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Use Nord to unblock your preferred coverage and stream the 1st test between Australia and England.
It's really easy to use a VPN to watch the Australia vs England 1st Test.
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite.
2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance if you're an Australian resident in the U.K. and want to watch 7Plus you'd select 'Australia' from the listed countries.
3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Head to your usual streaming site or app and watch The Ashes 2025/26 drama unfold live as if you were back at home.
How to watch The Ashes 1st Test 2025/26 in U.K.
TNT Sports is the place to go for all The Ashes 2025/26 action, including the opening Test.
Subscriptions for TNT Sports start at £18/month through Virgin Media or £25/month on Sky TV.
Alternatively, cricket fans can get a TNT Sports subscription via Discovery+ from £30.99/month.
Away from the U.K. right now? NordVPN will unblock your stream of the Australia vs England 1st Test.
How to watch The Ashes 1st Test in Australia
There are two ways to watch The Ashes 2025/26 in Australia, including a FREE option.
As we've mentioned above, free-to-air broadcaster Channel 7 and its streaming service 7Plus will be showing Australia vs England without charge. All you need is an account with a valid Australian postcode (e.g. 2000).
You can also watch all the action online via Foxtel or Kayo Sports. A monthly subscription to Kayo Standard starts at $25 after a 7-day FREE trial, or you can pay an extra $15 for Kayo Premium and watch Ashes 2025/26 live streams in 4K.
Outside of Oz for the 1st Test? Use a trusted VPN to unblock your regular stream and enjoy the cricket.
How to watch The Ashes 1st Test in India
Fans in India can watch all The Ashes 2025/26 action between Australia and England, including the 1st Test, on Star Sports on TV and JioHotstar digitally.
Subscriptions to JioHotstar cost around Rs. 299/month (around $3.50 USD), with the option to alternatively purchase an annual package for for Rs. 899 ($10.50 USD).
The daily start time of the 1st Test will be 7:50 a.m. IST.
For fans outside of India — use a reliable VPN to unblock your JioHotstar account and watch all the action just as if you're at home.
How to watch The Ashes 1st Test in the U.S.
For fans in the U.S., streaming service Willow TV will be showcasing The Ashes 2025/26 across their linear and digital platforms. Willow TV is available from a number of cable providers including Dish, Spectrum, Xfinity, Verizon Fios and more, or as its own standalone service.
Fans can also opt to access Willow TV via Sling TV for the Australia vs England 1st Test:
Sling TV is one of the most affordable OTT services out there, and it has an unbeatable deal for cricket fans. The Desi Binge Plus and Dakshin Flex plans get you a Willow TV subscription from just $10/month, with no need to sign up to the Blue or Orange bundles first. No long contracts either. Willow TV is where you'll find the majority of all the cricket live streams in the U.S. which means a Sling TV subscription has everything more or less covered on its own.
How to watch The Ashes 1st Test in Pakistan
The Ashes 2025/26, including the Australia vs England 1st Test, will be shown on streaming service Tapmad in Pakistan.
For full access to Australia vs England, you just need their monthly package, which costs Rs499 ($1.77).
The daily start time for the five-day 1st Test, beginning on Friday November 21, is 7:20 a.m. PKT.
Traveling away from Pakistan right now? Access your free stream by using NordVPN.
How to watch The Ashes 1st Test in South Africa
The Ashes 2025/26, including the Australia vs England 1st Test, will televised on subscription service SuperSport in South Africa.
You'll need to get a DStv access package to watch the game live on SuperSport with prices starting at R99 ($5.66) per month.
The five-day 1st Test starts on Friday, November 21 and each day's play will begin at 4:20 a.m. SAST.
Traveling away from South Africa right now? Access your free stream by using NordVPN.
How to watch The Ashes 1st Test in New Zealand
The Ashes 2025/26 is on Sky Sport Now in New Zealand. This costs $29.99/day, $54.99/month or $549.99/year.
Sky Sport in New Zealand is also the home of Formula 1, Premier League soccer, and countless other sports from around the world.
The five-day Test starts on Friday November 21 and each day's play begins at 3:20 p.m. NZDT.
Remember. You can still tap into your Australia vs England 1st Test stream by using one of the best VPN services, such as NordVPN.
How to watch The Ashes 1st Test in the Republic of Ireland
Just like in the U.K., TNT Sports is the home of The Ashes 2025/26, including the Australia vs England 1st Test, in the Republic of Ireland.
Virgin Media customers can add TNT Sports to their package for €30 a month, which also comes with Sky Sports and Premier Sports access.
NOW also has various streaming options that include access to TNT Sports. Plans, many of which are currently reduced, start from €14.99 a month
Unfortunately, the Discovery Plus streaming-only packages that include TNT Sports in the U.K., are not available in the Republic of Ireland.
Remember. If you're abroad right now, you'll need one of the best VPN services, such as NordVPN, to watch your regular Ashes 2025/26 streams.
What are the Australia vs England 1st Test squads?
Australia squad: 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.
England squad: Ben Stokes (c), Harry Brook (vc), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Mark Wood
What is England's Perth record?
It may be a different stadium, but England's record in Perth isn't appealing.
Tests: 15
Australia: 11 wins
England: 1 win
Draws: 3
More from Tom's Guide
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.
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Andy Murray is an award-winning sports writer and columnist. A fluent Spanish speaker and former semi-professional footballer, he was senior staff writer of world-leading football magazine FourFourTwo for seven years and continues to write and edit for them, national newspapers, websites and Premier League clubs. He is not a famous tennis player.
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