Monty Panesar Makes Bold Ashes 2025–26 Prediction Ahead of AUS vs ENG 1st Test 2025, Says ‘It’ll Be 3–2 or 3–1 in England’s Favour’
While Australia boast Nathan Lyon, who has 562 Test wickets, Panesar believes 22-year-old English spinner Shoaib Bashir has the potential to outperform the veteran on his own turf, despite Bashir having only 68 Test wickets at an average of 39. The first Test between Australia and England begins in Perth on Friday.
Mumbai, November 18: Former England spinner Monty Panesar backed his countrymen to reclaim the Ashes Down Under for the first time in 15 years, saying that Ben Stokes and Co. will win the series if they clinch the first Test in Perth. Panesar, who took part in England’s away Ashes campaigns in 2006–07 and 2013–14, believes the current squad is better equipped to perform much better than those earlier touring sides that were whitewashed 5–0 in Australia. Although Australia haven’t lost a home Test to England since 2011, Panesar believes the visitors have an edge this time given the hosts’ mounting injury concerns. Ashes 2025–26: Australia Pacer Scott Boland Makes Bold Statement Ahead of 1st Test Against England, Says ‘We Can Keep Joe Root Quiet’.
"You look at Australia and there’s no Pat Cummins and no Josh Hazlewood. They’ve got an opener, which is a David Warner replacement, but we don't know how he's going to go about it. Usman Khawaja in the last couple of years, his record has not been great, let's be honest. So, I just think England are on edge here, if England win the first Test match (they can win the series)," Panesar said on SENWA Breakfast.
While Australia boast Nathan Lyon, who has 562 Test wickets, Panesar believes 22-year-old English spinner Shoaib Bashir has the potential to outperform the veteran on his own turf, despite Bashir having only 68 Test wickets at an average of 39. The first Test between Australia and England begins in Perth on Friday. Australia Pacer Brendan Doggett Starts Bowling Ahead of Ashes 2025–26 Opener, Signals Debut in 1st Test Against England.
“I think they (England) will win at Brisbane, Adelaide will probably be Australia, Melbourne, I think maybe Australia again. If it’s two-all going into Sydney, it will be the battle of the spinners. And who knows, it could be just Shoaib Bashir coming into his own there, so I believe it'll be 3-2 or 3-1, England," he added.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 18, 2025 01:01 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).