The Ashes: Australia may have made a mistake not to play first Test against England in Brisbane, says Chris Woakes

Chris Woakes believes Australia have given England a psychological boost ahead of The Ashes by not holding the opening Test in Brisbane.

The Gabba has hosted the Australia-England curtain-raiser since 1986, with the hosts winning seven and drawing two of the 10 subsequent Tests.

However, Optus Stadium in Perth is the venue for this year’s first game – from November 21 – before the players head to Brisbane for the second day-night game from December 4.

With England having been badly beaten on their last three visits to the Gabba, including by nine wickets in 2021, Woakes said: “Australia have a fantastic Ashes record at the Gabba so if I were them I’d want to play there first.”

Speaking to the PA news agency, the all-rounder, who recently retired from international cricket, added: “Perth are quite extreme in terms of the bounce and pace you can get, so it’s not an easy place to start, but it’s certainly surprising that they’ve given up that ‘Gabbatoir’ factor.

England have ‘a bit of baggage’ at The Gabba

“As an English player, it’s a definite bonus to know you’re not going there first, where there’s a bit of baggage.

“You’re always looking for the little one per center and let’s face it, this is only one per centre. The main thing is you still have to go out and perform against a very good team in challenging conditions.

“It’s a small advantage but you take everything you can in an away Ashes where you’re up against it. It’s going to be a tough tour and you take every little advantage you can.

“England certainly have the tools to do well in Australia, they are well prepared for the conditions.

“We have built a party [of fact bowlers] coming here for a few years now and it’s coming true.

“We can get a little obsessed with who the leader of the attack is, but it can be split around this winter. We need different guys to step up at different times.”

Ashes series in Australia 2025-26

All times Great Britain and Ireland

First test: Friday 21 November – Tuesday 25 November (02.30) – Optus Stadium, Perth
Second test (day/night): Thursday 4 December – Monday 8 December (4.30) – The Gabba, Brisbane
Third test: Wednesday 17 December – Sunday 21 December (12:00) – Adelaide Oval
Fourth test: Thursday 25 December – Monday 29 December (11.30 p.m) – Melbourne Cricket Ground
Fifth test: Sunday 4 January – Thursday 8 January (11.30 p.m) – Sydney Cricket Ground