Ashes 2025-26 Review: Australia Win 4-1 as Starc Dominates Series

Australia retained the Ashes in 2025-26, defeating England 4-1 in a five-Test series played across Australia from November 2025 to January 2026. The series produced some outstanding individual performances — Mitchell Starc's pace bowling dominated from the first Test in Perth, while Travis Head's aggressive batting at the top of the order again proved England's most persistent problem. England's 4-1 defeat continued their extended wait for an Ashes series win in Australia — their last victory on Australian soil was in 2010-11.

Series Results

The series was played across five Tests: Perth (Optus Stadium), Brisbane (Gabba), Adelaide (Adelaide Oval, day-night), Melbourne (MCG), and Sydney (SCG). Australia won four and England won one — their consolation win coming at a venue where England have historically performed well. Australia's wins were comprehensive and underlined the strength of their Test side under Pat Cummins' captaincy, continuing the dominance that began with their 4-0 home Ashes win in 2021-22.

Mitchell Starc: Player of the Series

Mitchell Starc was awarded the Compton-Miller Medal as Player of the Series for his relentless left-arm pace throughout the five Tests. Starc's ability to swing the Kookaburra ball at high pace on Australian pitches — traditionally less conducive to swing than English conditions — proved the decisive factor in several matches. His wickets in the first innings of the Perth Test set the tone for the entire series, and England never found a lasting answer to his late swing and yorker. Starc's Ashes career continued its pattern of devastating performances on home soil.

England's Batting Under Pressure

Joe Root scored 400 runs for England in the series — respectable by any standard, but Root could not prevent England's collapses in the face of Starc and Josh Hazlewood. England's Bazball philosophy, which had transformed their Test results at home, continued to struggle against Australian conditions and the Kookaburra ball which does not provide the seam assistance of the Dukes ball used in England. Harry Brook and Zak Crawley showed promise at times, but England's middle order was too fragile to compete consistently.

Australia's Ashes Record

The 2025-26 win extended Australia's remarkable recent home Ashes record. Since 2001, Australia has won every Ashes series in Australia except 2010-11 (England won 3-1) and a 2-2 draw in 1986-87. The 4-1 win also continued Australia's dominance since the 2021-22 series, suggesting the gap between the two sides in Australian conditions remains significant. England would next have the chance to win the urn at home in England in 2027.