Australia trounced England in the first Test of the Ashes 2025-26, which ended in just two days after a ferocious pace-bowling display. The hosts won by eight wickets, thanks to superb spells from left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc and Travis Head’s scorching century, which catapulted them to a 1-0 series lead.
England were dismissed for 172 in their first innings, with Harry Brook top-scoring with 52. Starc was the wrecker-in-chief, scoring 7/58. In response, Australia struggled and were dismissed for 132, with to Ben Stokes’ outstanding 5/23. However, the Englishmen were bowled out for 164 in their second innings on Day 2, with Scott Boland recording figures of 4/33.
Australia set a target of 205 and chased it down in 28.2 overs.
Head, coming in as an opener, hit a blazing 123 off 83 balls, while Marnus Labuschagne produced an unbeaten 51 to secure the overwhelming victory. Despite the absence of pace spearheads Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, the Australians delivered a commanding effort that quickly ended the Test.
In another current series, India faces South Africa in Guwahati, with the visitors leading 1-0 after winning the first Test at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Choosing to bat in the second Test, the Proteas scored 200 runs on the first day.
Meanwhile, New Zealand has won both white-ball series against the West Indies and now shifts its emphasis to the three-match Test series, which begins on December 2 in Christchurch. The Ashes will return with the second Test at the Gabba in Brisbane on December 4, which will be played under lights.
World Test Championship 2025-27 Points Table:
| Position | Team | Matches | Won | Lost | Tied | Drawn | N/R | Points | PCT (%) |
| 1 | Australia | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 48 | 100.00 |
| 2 | South Africa | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 66.67 |
| 3 | Sri Lanka | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 66.67 |
| 4 | India | 8 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 52 | 54.17 |
| 5 | Pakistan | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 50.00 |
| 6 | England | 6 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 26 | 36.11 |
| 7 | Bangladesh | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 16.67 |
| 8 | West Indies | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| 9 | New Zealand | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
India
