Ashes 2025 Review: Everything You Need to Know
January 19, 2026From Australian dominance to the Noosa trip controversy, the Ashes 2025/26 was another tough reminder of how quickly tours can unravel for England down under...
The Ashes is the most iconic rivalry in cricket, a contest that defines careers and shapes legacies. The Ashes 2025/26 series in Australia was expected to be fiercely competitive, but what unfolded instead was a harsh reminder of how unforgiving Test cricket can be away from home. Australia dominated The Ashes from start to finish, securing a 4-1 series victory and leaving England with serious questions to answer.
For England, The Ashes 2025/26 became a tour marked by heavy defeats, brief hope, and damaging off-field distractions. For Australia, it was another commanding home Ashes campaign that reinforced their control of the urn and their dominance on familiar conditions.
The Ashes Begins Badly: Australia Take Early Control
From the opening moments of The Ashes, Australia made their intentions clear. The first Test set the tone for the entire series, with England struggling to cope with pace, bounce, and relentless pressure. Australia won comfortably, exposing England’s fragile batting order and lack of control with the ball.
The second Test only deepened England’s problems. Once again, Australia dictated play throughout key sessions, building partnerships with the bat and striking at crucial moments with the ball. England looked reactive rather than proactive, unable to wrestle momentum back in their favour. After two Tests, Australia led The Ashes series 2-0, and England already appeared short on confidence and clarity.
The Ashes Slips Away: Three Straight Defeats for England
The third Test proved decisive in The Ashes 2025/26. Australia delivered another composed and disciplined performance to secure a third consecutive victory and retain The Ashes with two matches still to play.
England’s shortcomings were increasingly evident. Batting collapses became familiar, with players unable to convert starts or absorb pressure. Australia, by contrast, were patient and ruthless, waiting for mistakes and punishing them immediately. Losing The Ashes so early in the series was a psychological blow for England, while Australia grew stronger with every passing session.
At 3-0, The Ashes were effectively gone, and England were left playing for pride.
A Rare Ashes Highlight: England’s Fourth Test Redemption
Amid the disappointment of The Ashes 2025/26, England finally found something to celebrate in the fourth Test. Against expectations, they produced a disciplined and determined performance to claim a long-overdue Ashes victory on Australian soil.
This win ended a fourteen year wait for an England Test victory in Australia and provided a rare bright moment in an otherwise painful Ashes campaign. England showed patience with the bat, greater intensity in the field, and composure under pressure. While the result did not alter the outcome of The Ashes, it reminded supporters of what this team can achieve when fundamentals are respected.
The Ashes Finish as They Began: Australia Close Out the Series
Any hope that England’s fourth Test win would spark a late Ashes revival was short-lived. In the final Test, Australia regrouped and reasserted their authority, sealing a fifth Test victory to complete a four one Ashes series win.
The final match summed up The Ashes perfectly. Australia were calm, adaptable, and clinical, while England struggled to maintain consistency across long periods of play. By the end of the series, Australia were deserved Ashes winners, holding the urn comfortably until the next contest.
Standout Players of The Ashes 2025/26 According to the Fans
Despite The Ashes 2025/26 being dominated by Australia, supporters still made it clear which players stood out across the series. Through audience discussions, reader-voted teams, and fan reaction throughout the tour, several individuals consistently emerged as defining figures of the campaign. While Australia supplied the majority of the standouts, there were still a handful of England players who earned recognition despite the series defeat.
England’s Standout Players
From an England perspective, positive moments were limited, but a few performances still resonated strongly with supporters watching a difficult tour unfold.
Ben Stokes was frequently highlighted by fans for his leadership and resilience. While the results did not go England’s way, many supporters acknowledged his commitment and willingness to front up during challenging moments. His influence was felt as much through effort and attitude as it was through raw statistics, with fans recognising his role in trying to hold a struggling side together.
Zak Crawley also attracted attention from the audience for his aggressive approach at the top of the order. Although consistency remained an issue, flashes of attacking intent reminded supporters why he continues to be backed at Test level. In a series where England often looked tentative, Crawley’s willingness to take the game on stood out.
One of the most encouraging stories for England supporters was the emergence of Jacob Bethell. His composed batting late in the series, including a high-quality century at the Sydney Cricket Ground, earned widespread praise from fans. Many viewed Bethell as a rare positive from the tour and a genuine building block for England’s future in Test cricket, particularly after showing maturity beyond his years under intense pressure.
While England’s overall performance drew criticism, these individual contributions ensured the side was not entirely without moments of hope.
Australia Standout Players
Unsurprisingly, the majority of fan praise during The Ashes 2025/26 centred around Australia’s players, many of whom delivered consistently throughout the series.
Travis Head was the clear fan favourite and the standout batter of The Ashes. Leading the series run-scoring charts with over six hundred runs, Head’s fearless and aggressive approach captured the imagination of supporters. His three centuries, combined with a bold move to open the batting, played a major role in Australia’s dominance. Fans repeatedly credited his innings with setting the tone for matches and breaking England’s momentum at crucial points.
Mitchell Starc received enormous acclaim and was widely regarded by supporters as the player of the series. His ability to strike early and decisively made him a constant threat, and his achievement of taking ten wickets in a single Test placed him among an elite group of Ashes bowlers. Starc’s pace, accuracy, and match-winning spells were central to Australia’s success and earned universal admiration from the cricketing audience.
Steve Smith also featured heavily in fan discussions as a key figure in Australia’s Ashes triumph. While his contributions were more measured than explosive, his calm presence and ability to deliver important runs under pressure reinforced his reputation as one of the great modern Ashes players. Supporters valued his consistency and experience in stabilising innings when required.
Alex Carey earned praise for both his batting contributions and his sharp wicketkeeping throughout the series. Fans highlighted his ability to apply pressure behind the stumps while also chipping in with crucial runs, often shifting momentum in Australia’s favour during key phases of matches.
England’s Ashes Struggles: On Field Problems Exposed
England’s difficulties in The Ashes 2025/26 extended far beyond individual matches. Their batting lacked resilience, with repeated collapses preventing them from posting competitive totals. Partnerships were scarce, and pressure situations often led to rushed decisions.
With the ball, England showed flashes of quality but lacked sustained threat. They failed to control key phases of play, allowing Australia to dictate tempo and build decisive leads. Fielding errors further damaged England’s chances, turning competitive moments into costly setbacks.
Overall, The Ashes exposed a side struggling with balance, adaptability, and execution at the highest level.
Off-Field Controversy During The Ashes
The Ashes 2025/26 was also overshadowed by off-field distractions. Reports of England players going out drinking during the series sparked widespread criticism, particularly given the team’s struggles on the pitch.
England Cricket players take a break in Noosa, despite trailing The Ashes 2-0 at the time! (Source: 7News Melbourne)
A mid-series break in Noosa became a focal point for debate, with footage and reports suggesting a lack of focus during one of cricket’s most demanding tours. The situation escalated following the emergence of a video involving Ben Duckett, intensifying scrutiny of England’s culture and professionalism.
Instead of discussions focusing purely on tactics and selection, much of the Ashes narrative shifted towards discipline and accountability. For many supporters, the off-field issues symbolised a wider problem within the England setup.
After The Ashes: Fallout and Reflection for England
In the aftermath of The Ashes 2025/26, England were forced into a period of reflection. Reviews were launched, leadership was questioned, and the overall direction of the Test side came under renewed scrutiny.
This Ashes series highlighted the importance of preparation, discipline, and mental toughness in Australian conditions. It reinforced that winning The Ashes away from home requires more than talent and confidence. It demands sustained focus, patience, and collective responsibility.
The Ashes 2025/26 will be remembered as a series defined by Australian dominance and English disappointment. Four defeats, one hard-fought victory, and a wave of controversy made it a bruising chapter in England’s Ashes history.
For Australia, it was another authoritative home Ashes triumph. For England, it was a stark reminder of the standards required to compete in The Ashes at the highest level.
The Ashes will return, as it always does. Whether England is ready next time will depend on how seriously they learn from the lessons of this tour.
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