The 2025-26 Ashes delivered everything cricket fans hoped for—and one result nobody predicted. Australia reclaimed the urn with a 4-1 series win, yet England’s come-from-behind victory at the MCG gave the tourists something to build on.

4 related posts

Recent Series Result: Australia 4-1 England · Last Test: Australia win by 5 wickets · Next Ashes: 2027 in England · Format: Test matches

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Australia retained the Ashes 4-1 (Wikipedia)
  • Series ran Nov 21, 2025 – Jan 8, 2026 (ECB)
  • Travis Head led all scorers with 629 runs (Cricket Australia)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact session start times for future Ashes tours
  • Confirmed TV broadcast details for 2027 series
  • Full bowling statistics across all five Tests
3Timeline signal
  • Venues announced Oct 16, 2024 (Wikipedia)
  • Next Ashes scheduled for 2027 in England (Wikipedia)
4What’s next
  • Teams shift focus to ICC World Test Championship
  • 2027 Ashes returns to England at five venues
Key facts: Australia vs England cricket (Ashes 2025-26)
Label Value
Format Test cricket
Teams Australia vs England
Series Winner Australia (4-1)
Matches Played Five Tests
Series Dates Nov 21, 2025 – Jan 8, 2026
Top Run-Scorer Travis Head (629 runs)
Trophy The Ashes urn

What time does the 3rd Ashes test start?

The third Test at Adelaide Oval ran from December 17-21, 2025, with Australia claiming an 82-run victory. The match saw Australia post 371 in their first innings before England replied with 286, then Australia added 349 to set England 435—a target they fell short of at 352.

Session times typically follow Australian Eastern Daylight Time, with play starting around 10:00 AM local time for day sessions. For viewers watching from the UK, NDTV Sports provides exact start times in IST, which can be converted to BST by subtracting 4.5 hours.

  • First session: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM local
  • Second session: 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM local
  • Third session: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM local (floodlights from 4:30 PM)

The third Test proved decisive—after taking a 3-0 lead, Australia officially retained the Ashes before the final two matches were played (Wikipedia). This marked the fifth consecutive series Australia has retained, a streak dating back to 2010-11.

What time does the second Ashes test start?

The second Test at The Gabba in Brisbane ran December 4-8, 2025, as a day-night match using the pink ball. Australia won by 8 wickets with scores of 511 and 69/2 against England’s 334 and 241. Start times were set for 3:00 PM local time to allow for the twilight and evening sessions that make day-night Tests distinctive.

The day-night format at The Gabba meant play extended into the evening under lights, providing a spectacle that attracted viewers across time zones. The ECB confirmed this day-night arrangement as part of the official fixture announcement (ECB).

Why this matters

Day-night Tests shifted traditional viewing patterns, allowing fans to watch key sessions after traditional work hours. The Gabba’s pink-ball experiment has become a fixture of recent Ashes tours, combining cricket tradition with modern scheduling demands.

What time does the 4th Ashes test start?

The fourth Test at the MCG ran December 26-30, 2025, with England’s dramatic four-wicket victory interrupting what had appeared to be an inevitable Australian whitewash. The match drew attention for ending England’s 18-match, 14-year losing streak in Ashes Tests on Australian soil (Wikipedia).

Boxing Day Test sessions at the MCG follow the standard EDT schedule: morning session from 10:30 AM, afternoon from 12:30 PM, and the traditional afternoon tea break. The 2025 edition maintained the traditional timing despite the day-night format used at the Gabba.

Session times for the Melbourne Test ran approximately 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM (morning), 12:50 PM to 3:20 PM (afternoon), and 3:40 PM to 5:30 PM (evening) local AEDT. The extended evening session allowed for the dramatic finish that saw England clinch their sole victory of the series.

Who is more successful in Ashes history?

Australia’s 4-1 victory in 2025-26 extended their dominance in cricket’s oldest contest. This was the 74th Ashes series, with Australia now holding a record of 35 series wins to England’s 32, with 7 draws. The math reflects what the scoreboard showed: Australia won four of five Tests decisively.

Head-to-head: Last 10 Ashes series (2010-2026)
Series Result Winner
2025-26 4-1 Australia
2023 2-2 (drawn) Both
2021-22 4-0 Australia
2019 2-2 (drawn) Both
2017-18 4-0 Australia
2015 3-2 Australia
2013-14 5-0 Australia
2010-11 3-1 England
2009 2-1 England
2006-07 5-0 Australia

The pattern is clear: since England’s 2010-11 triumph, Australia has won six of the nine subsequent series, with only two draws preventing a complete run of success. The 2025-26 result keeps this trend intact, though England’s Melbourne victory provides a psychological boost for the 2027 return leg.

Is the 2nd Ashes Test a day-night game?

Yes, the second Test at The Gabba was a day-night match played with the pink cricket ball. The day-night format has become a feature of recent Ashes series, with the ECB officially confirming the arrangement as part of the fixture announcement (ECB).

Day-night Tests use a pink ball designed to be visible under artificial light while retaining the traditional red ball’s characteristics during daylight hours. The format extends play into the evening, typically from 3:00 PM local time until around 8:00 PM, allowing working fans to attend after .

The upshot

Day-night Tests reshaped the contest itself: the pink ball swings more under lights, making evening sessions particularly challenging for batsmen. Australia exploited this at the Gabba, winning by 8 wickets after bowling England out under the lights in their second innings.

2025-26 Ashes series: Complete results and venue details
Test Venue Dates Result Margin
1st Perth Stadium Nov 21-25, 2025 Australia win 8 wickets
2nd The Gabba, Brisbane Dec 4-8, 2025 Australia win 8 wickets
3rd Adelaide Oval Dec 17-21, 2025 Australia win 82 runs
4th MCG, Melbourne Dec 26-30, 2025 England win 4 wickets
5th SCG, Sydney Jan 4-8, 2026 Australia win 5 wickets

England won the 4th Test in Melbourne by 4 wickets, ending an 18-match (14-year) losing streak in Australia in Ashes Tests.

— Wikipedia (series documentation)

Travis Head led all run scorers with 629 runs, dominating a top 10 list that featured six Australian batsmen.

— Cricket Australia (official statistics)

Bottom line: Australia claimed the Ashes with a 4-1 series win, their fifth consecutive retention. Travis Head’s 629 runs and the SCG’s record 211,032 attendance define the series. For English fans, the Melbourne victory offers something to build toward 2027—but the gap in firepower remains.

What’s confirmed vs unclear

Confirmed

  • Series result: Australia 4-1 England
  • Travis Head: 629 runs (top scorer)
  • England’s 18-match losing streak ended at MCG
  • Fifth Test attendance: 211,032 (SCG record)
  • Venues confirmed October 16, 2024

What’s unclear

  • Exact start times for future 2027 Ashes Tests
  • Confirmed TV broadcast details for next series
  • Full bowling statistics and wicket-takers list

Related reading: Samoa vs Tonga 2025 NZ Time – Kick-off Schedules for Kiwis

Additional sources

flashscoreusa.com, thecricketer.com, sports.ndtv.com

Australia grabbed a 2-0 lead in the Ashes 2025-26 through dominant wins in Perth and Sydney, as shown in the Perth-Sydney Ashes scorecards, en route to their 4-1 series victory.

Don't miss these

Frequently asked questions

Is the Ashes test on TV?

Yes, Ashes Tests are broadcast across multiple platforms. UK viewers can access coverage through Sky Sports, while Australian viewers watch via Channel 7 and Fox Cricket. International streaming is available through platforms like DAZN in select regions.

What is a day-night Test match?

A day-night Test plays sessions in the afternoon and evening under stadium lights, using a specially colored ball (typically pink) visible in artificial light. The format extends the working-day window for spectators and has become a feature of recent Ashes series.

Who won the most recent Ashes?

Australia won the 2025-26 Ashes series 4-1, retaining the urn for the fifth consecutive series. England secured their only victory at the MCG in Melbourne, ending a 14-year winning drought in Australia.

How can I get Australia vs England tickets?

Tickets for Ashes Tests typically sell out quickly through official channels. For Australia home Tests, purchase through Cricket Australia or Ticketek. UK Ashes tickets (2027) will be available through the ECB and authorized ticket partners closer to the series.

What are Ashes highlights?

Ashes highlights typically include memorable innings, wicket-taking spells, and record-breaking performances. The 2025-26 series featured Travis Head’s 629 runs, England’s record SCG attendance, and the dramatic fourth-Test victory at the MCG that broke a 14-year drought.

Is there Australia vs England cricket today?

The 2025-26 Ashes series concluded January 8, 2026. The next Ashes series is scheduled for 2027 in England, with venues including Edgbaston, Lord’s, Trent Bridge, Ageas Bowl, and The Oval. Between series, both teams compete in bilateral Test series and ICC events.

What is the Ashes trophy?

The Ashes trophy is a small urn containing ashes of a burnt cricket ball, presented to the series winner. The tradition began in 1882 after England lost to Australia at The Oval, with a mock obituary written in response. The current urn is held at the MCC Museum at Lord’s, though the winning team receives the Ashes Urn replica.