Latest news with #Ashes2025
India.com
12 hours ago
- Sport
- India.com
Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli's overseas match SOLD OUT four months in advance, it will take place…
Virat Kohli (left) and Rohit Sharma. (Photo: ANI) Former India captains Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are probably going to be seen for the last time down under in Australia later this year. Team India are scheduled to play three-match ODI series against world champions Australia in October and already interest in these games is at fever pitch. Cricket Australia are already planning special farewell for both Rohit and Virat, something which the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) failed to provide to the two stalwarts in Test cricket. Both India legends announced their retirement from Test cricket last month with Shubman Gill replacing Rohit as the captain. Following record ticket sales for the Ashes 2025, the ODI matches against India are also in high demand, with over 90,000 tickets sold to the eight matches after just two weeks of public sales, according to a release from Cricket Australia. The public ticket allocation for the SCG ODI and Manuka Oval (Canberra) T20I was exhausted four months prior to the match, highlighting the huge demand for these matches, while the MCG T20I and Gabba T20II are also proving popular. SCG ODI will be last match in Australia for Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli The SCG ODI will probably be Rohit and Virat's final appearance on Australian soil with both cricketers unlikely to return to Aussie shores again. The duo have already retired from Test and T20 cricket and are only active in ODI cricket currently. It is expected that CA will be organizing a special event at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground for the two India stalwart. Rohit and Virat are expected to be seen in action in international cricket in July when Team India take on Bangladesh in a three-match ODI series. It is the first ODI series for Indian side after winning the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai earlier this year. Bharat Army have bought maximum tickets According to Cricket Australia, more than 16% of the tickets sold so far have been purchased by Indian fan clubs. Bharat Army has been one of the most active fan clubs, purchasing over 2,400 tickets. Fans India has also shown significant enthusiasm, buying more than 1,400 tickets. Apart from this, Amit Goyal from Brissy Baniyas, an Aggarwal community, has acquired 880 tickets for the Gabba T20I, becoming the highest individual buyer for a single match, while the Indian Community of Gold Coast and Pakka Local have purchased over 500 tickets for the Gold Coast and MCG T20Is each. 'Exhausting our public ticket allocation for the SCG ODI and Manuka Oval T20I four months before the series is a testament to the tremendous interest for the upcoming season amongst cricket fans,' Joel Morrison, Executive General Manager Events & Operations, Cricket Australia, said in a release by Cricket Australia. 'We are thrilled to see continued strong engagement amongst the Indian diaspora off the back of a record-breaking Border-Gavaskar series last summer. The forecast strong turnout of Australian and Indian fans means we'll again have a fantastic atmosphere at each match,' he added.
Telegraph
14-04-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
The ultimate travel guide to the Ashes 2025
For English cricket fans it is the greatest tour of them all. An up to 25-day battle between leather and willow, fought on sun-baked wickets, in five of Australia's greatest cities: Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. And for what? A tiny urn that has exchanged sweaty hands since the late 19 th century, when an Australian victory at The Oval led to a spoof newspaper obituary marking the death of English cricket. Since then, 73 Ashes series have taken place between international cricket's two oldest rivals – alternating between the Southern and Northern hemispheres. Australia have won 34. England 32. In 2025, England head Down Under looking to win there for the first time since 2010/11. It is a notoriously hard place to emerge victorious. Bouncy pitches, hostile home crowds, searing temperatures. Thank goodness for the ice-cold beer. Some hardcore supporters will do the whole series and rack up at least 4,500 miles between venues – excluding international travel. Others might choose to do a test or two. Either side of Christmas, Adelaide and Melbourne pair well. Cricket aside, though, travelling fans should leave plenty of time for sightseeing – and a good number of beaches and barbecues. How about a day trip to the Sydney Harbour Bridge, South Australia's Kangaroo Island or a vineyard in Victoria? Or maybe a week off to explore the country's Red Centre, Tasmania or the tropical Top End? Whichever way you choose to travel, if you're a cricket fan this is a bucket list trip not to be missed. Here's our ultimate travel guide to the Ashes 2025. In this guide: How often is the Ashes? When is the next Ashes? First Test: Perth Second Test: Brisbane Third Test: Adelaide Fourth Test: Melbourne Fifth Test: Sydney How to get tickets Travelling with the Barmy Army The best Ashes 2025 packages How often is the Ashes? The five-match series is played every two years (give or take a few months, to align with summer in the Southern and Northern hemispheres). The last series ended in July 2023, which means English and Australian fans will wait an agonising 844 days for the first ball of the first test. When is the next Ashes? The First Test starts on November 21 2025 in Perth and runs for seven weeks until the series climax in Sydney at the start of January 2026, visiting stadia in Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne along the way. Ashes 2025 dates and venues First Test: Optus Stadium in Perth November 21 to 25 2025 On the pitch For the first time in the contest's history, the Ashes will start at Perth's new 61,000-seater Optus Stadium, following 13 consecutive matches at the iconic WACA (Western Australian Cricket Association Ground). Another break with tradition will see Perth host the first test in place of Brisbane's The Gabba. Making this – arguably – the most hotly anticipated first test match of the series, ever. Beyond the boundary Australia's sunniest capital boasts 19 beaches within easy reach of the city. Cottesloe Beach is best known for its white sands and crystal-clear waters. It's best visited in the morning, before the fierce 'Freemantle Doctor' wind picks up. For snorkelling, head north to Mettams Pool, where you'll spot octopus and starfish. Back in Perth, Kings Park is one of the largest inner-city parks in the world and enjoys wide-reaching views across the city. Or take a ferry to Rottnest Island, home of the iconic quokka – small relations of Australia's kangaroos. Cricket fans with a head for heights can get a bird's eye perspective of the Optus Stadium on the VERTIGO by Twilight tour, which allows visitors to walk on the roof. Close of play Fans will spill out of the Optus and head into town. Lola Underground opened in January 2025, in the basement of the historic State Buildings precinct in Perth's CBD, and offers an extensive wine list, cocktails and creative dishes including duck confit lasagne. Further out, at Cottesloe, Magic Apple Wholefoods opened in late 2024 and specialises in flatbreads and king salmon sashimi. Getting there Qantas operates the world's longest direct flight (17 hours) from London Heathrow to Perth, from £1,393 return. Staying there Central Perth's 392-room Pan Pacific Hotel (0061 8 9224 7777) underwent a multimillion-dollar refurbishment in 2024 and is just 30 minutes' walk to the Optus Stadium. Double rooms during the November test match start from $584 AUD (£284). Breakfast not included. Second Test: The Gabba in Brisbane December 4 to 8, 2025 On the pitch For the first time in 40 years, the 42,000-seater Gabba missed out on hosting the opening match of the series to Perth. However, this time the venue will host its first ever day-night Ashes test match. Meaning fans can look forward to a later start time, dinner instead of tea, and epic Queensland sunsets. But locals don't call this 'The Gabbatoir' for nothing. The tourists haven't won at this cauldron-like stadium since 1986, when Mike Gatting's England team took an unexpected 1-0 lead in the series. Beyond the boundary Queensland's cultural capital boasts year-round sunshine and city beaches within easy reach. The closest, Streets Beach, is Australia's only inner-city manmade beach and offers white sands around a turquoise lagoon. Downtown, don't miss the Gallery of Modern Art, which has a free and permanent Australian Art Collection that combines indigenous and contemporary Australian works. Those with a head for heights might fancy climbing and abseiling Brisbane's Kangaroo Point Cliffs. Riverlife (0061 07 3517 4954) offers two-hour tours on Saturdays and Sundays for $89 AUD (£43) per person. Beyond the city, Moreton Island is one of the largest sand islands in the world and can be reached via the Micat Ferry. It takes 90 minutes and departs from Holt Street Wharf. Close of play Australia's craft brewery capital is packed with lively places to sup a cold one, especially on a match day, and you'll find a host of bars and pubs within walking distance of The Gabba. The Pineapple is just a few minutes away and has been serving beer since 1864. The city's newest Japanese restaurant is 12-seater HIDEKI and specialises in sashimi, sushi and teriyaki. Getting there Fly from London Heathrow to Brisbane via Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific from £1,196 return. Staying there In 2024 The Calile was named one of the 50 best hotels in the world in our annual Telegraph Hotel Awards and offers a Miami-style resort with retro vibes in Brisbane's buzzy James Street precinct. Double rooms during the test match from $759 AUD (£369). Breakfast included. Third Test: Adelaide Oval in Adelaide December 17 to 12, 2025 On the pitch The 53,500-capacity Adelaide Oval is regarded as one of the most picturesque cricket grounds in the world and is best known for its iconic heritage scoreboard, which is more than a hundred years old. Fans can enjoy the match from the Northern Mound, a grass bank known locally as 'The Hill' with a lively atmosphere surrounded by Moreton Bay fig trees. The stadium has a roof climb tour, which offers 360-degree views of Adelaide. 150ft below the Western Stand walkway is the oval where England have some recent-ish good memories. Beyond the boundary Adelaide is known as Australia's National Park City, and its 29 parks and six city squares cover a rambling 1,700 acres. The Adelaide Park Lands Trail is a 12-mile loop that weaves its way via Sir Donald Bradman Drive. Named after Australia's legendary batsman, who played for South Australia between 1935 and 1948. The city's proximity to South Australia's many vineyards make this one of the wine capitals of the world. Visit the National Wine Centre to taste over 120 wines from 55 of Australia's grape-growing regions. Beyond Adelaide, no holiday should miss a trip (two or three days is best) to Kangaroo Island, which can be reached via a 45-minute ferry from Cape Jervis. Close of play Makan Wine Bar is one of Adelaide's newest places to eat and drink, and serves small batch natural wines, alongside Thai, Japanese and Chinese-style flavours including chicken wing gyozas and prawn donuts with salted egg mayo. Beyond the city, Fleurieu Gin is a new boutique distillery on the rural Fleurieu Peninsula. Getting there Fly to Adelaide from London Gatwick with Emirates, via Dubai, from £2,254 return. Staying there Australia's first stadium hotel, the Oval Hotel (0061 8 8368 9900) opened in 2024 and is the closest you'll get to the action. Double rooms during the test match are pricey: £675 a night. Breakfast not included. Fourth Test: Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne December 26 to 30, 2025 On the pitch The MCG – or 'The G' as it's known to locals – is up there with London's Lord's as one of the most iconic cricket venues on Earth. Located in Melbourne's Yarra Park, the stadium has a capacity of more than 100,000 – making it the largest sports venue in the Southern Hemisphere. The date of the match is enshrined into the Aussie sporting calendar: Boxing Day, making the first day of the Fourth Test, the hottest ticket in town. Beyond the boundary Melbourne is the sporting capital of Australia. Not only does the MCG host the annual Boxing Day test match, but the city is also home to the Australian Open tennis tournament at Melbourne Park in January, followed by the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park in March. In 2026, it will start hosting regular NFL matches – an Australian first. No stay in Melbourne is complete without a trip to the beachside suburb of St Kilda, which can be reached from the CBD via trams 12, 16 and 96. Northern Soul Chip Shop is famed for its British-style fish and chips. The Mancunian owners specialise in battered sausages, gravy and mushy peas. Close of play New to Melbourne's Gateway laneway, Circl Wine House combines European-inspired plates such as crumbed pork chop, apple cider velouté and kohlrabi, and more than 150 wines available by the glass. Elsewhere, Kolkata Cricket Club is a new sports bar-meets-Indian restaurant serving classic Indian dishes like butter chicken, tandoori meats and grilled prawns. Getting there Fly to Melbourne via Abu Dhabi with Etihad, from £2,072 return. Staying there One of the city's coolest new hotels, Melbourne Place (0061 3 7035 2900), opened in October 2024 and is located on Russell Street. Double rooms during the test match from $339 AUD (£165). Breakfast included. Fifth Test: Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney January 4 to 8, 2026 On the pitch The climax of the series always takes place in Sydney – Australia's oldest cricket ground, built in 1848. And where Melbourne hosts the iconic Boxing Day fixture, tradition dictates that the SCG see in the new year. Despite still being twice the size of most English cricket stadiums (48,000), it's known for its more intimate feel. England have won 22 test matches in Sydney since 1882 – more than any other venue in Australia. Beyond the boundary Opera house, Harbour Bridge, Bondi Beach – this is one of the world's most iconic cities. Cricket fans should book on to the SCG Tour to walk on the oval's hallowed turf, visit the players' dressing rooms and explore the Richie Benaud Media Centre. An hour and a half south of Sydney you'll also find The Bradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame in Bowral, birthplace of Australia's greatest ever batsman. The Blue Mountains National Park is less than an hour's drive west of the city and is home to the Three Sisters, a trio of sandstone peaks formed more than 200 million years ago. For more epic views and some delicious sips, head north to the Hunter Valley wine region. Dalwood Estate was established in 1828 and is the longest-running commercial vineyard in Australia. Close of play LouLou Bistro opened in February 2025 in the Sydney Metro Martin Place and goes for a Gallic vibe with dishes such as chicken liver parfait, warm brioche and steak frites. Alternatively, Solaré restaurant and bar opened in Sydney Harbour and offers afirst-of-its-kind dining experience on a 150-foot superyacht. The 60-seat restaurant serves a seasonal Italian tasting menu at lunch and dinner, costing $185 AUD (£89) per person. Getting there Fly from London Heathrow to Sydney via Doha with Qantas from £1,145 return. Staying there The Eve Hotel Sydney (0061 2 9096 1100) on the crossroads of Surry Hills and Redfern, opened in February 2025 and each of its 102 rooms has a Juliet balcony or terrace. Double rooms from $549 AUD (£267). Breakfast included. How to get Ashes 2025 tickets Fans wishing to purchase tickets via the general sale must first register their interest with Cricket Australia. Tickets are rumoured to go on sale in early June. What is the Barmy Army and how to travel with them? Founded by a small group of backpackers during the 1994/95 Ashes series, the Barmy Army has grown into cricket's best-known – and loudest – fan group. In 30 years, they've raised more than £500,000 for charities in the countries they've visited. 'The Barmy Army is fundamentally a community,' says managing director Chris Millard. 'Giving something back to the destination you're visiting has always been high on the agenda.' Barmy Army Travel is their official tour operator and as an official partner of Cricket Australia, have access to tickets before the general sale. They are currently offering more than 60 different ticket, travel and hotel options for the Ashes 2025/26 – their most popular overseas tour. 'It's the crown jewel of cricket. The Ashes is the pinnacle,' says Millard. 'The people who have the bug for touring don't want to miss out and for those going for the first time, it's very often on their bucket list.' The best packages to visit Australia for the Ashes 2025 The easiest way to secure Ashes tickets before the general sale is to travel with an official partner of Cricket Australia. Below you'll find a few of the best tours on sale – each one including match tickets. The Big Daddy For the ultimate Ashes experience, Barmy Army Travel (01932 770077) is offering a 51-night tour of Australia, including tickets to every day of every match, hotel accommodation, domestic and international flights. They'll also throw in a year's membership to the Barmy Army and an official merchandise bundle. From £14,699 per person. Christmas Down Under Exchange roast turkey for a barbecue on the beach and travel with Gullivers Sports Travel (01684 878306) on their Third and Fourth test tour, which takes in Adelaide (December 17 to 21) and Melbourne (December 26 to 30). The tour includes 17 nights' four-star hotel accommodation, domestic and international flights. From £7,499 per person. See in the New Year Spread across Boxing Day and New Years, Melbourne (December 26 to 30) and Sydney (January 4 to 8) pair well. Who knows, you might be there to see England lift the urn… International Cricket Tours (0203 824 8444) is offering an 18-night hotel, flights and match tickets package that includes welcome drinks and a Christmas Day lunch. From £7,995 per person.
