Australia entered the 4th Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground with strong momentum after their dominant win in Adelaide, but England hit back with a vital four-wicket victory to keep the series alive. After bowling Australia out for 152 and 132, England successfully chased 174 to register a confidence-boosting win at the MCG, with Josh Tongue playing a decisive role.
With the 4th Test now concluded, attention quickly turns to the 5th Ashes Test beginning on January 4, where the series heads into a decisive phase. Betting markets have reacted to England’s Melbourne win, tightening the odds as Australia look to respond and England aim to carry their renewed confidence into the final Test.
The Ashes 2025–26 5th Test Toss & Winning Odds Preview
Australia entered the 4th Ashes Test at the MCG as favourites after their Adelaide win, but England produced a strong response to claim a four-wicket victory. With the series momentum shifting, attention now turns to the 5th Test starting on January 4, where betting markets have tightened as Australia look to bounce back and England aim to build on their Melbourne success.
| Bookmaker | Australia Win | England Win | Draw |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sportsbet (AU) | 1.43 | 2.70 | 3.00 |
| Ladbrokes (AU) | 1.45 | 2.65 | 2.95 |
| bet365 | 1.40 | 2.80 | 3.15 |
| Unibet Australia | 1.47 | 2.60 | 2.90 |
| Neds (AU) | 1.44 | 2.68 | 3.05 |
Australia head into the Test as clear favourites, with win odds now trading in the 1.40–1.47 range across major bookmakers. England are priced as competitive challengers rather than long outsiders, with odds generally sitting between 2.60 and 2.80, reflecting a more balanced market.
The draw is positioned in the 2.90–3.15 bracket, indicating expectations of a result while still accounting for traditional Test-match variables. Early movement is likely to be influenced by the toss and the opening sessions, which often set the tone for betting patterns.
Australia vs England, 4th Test – Match Highlights (Melbourne)
Australia endured a difficult Test as England capitalised on early batting collapses to secure a four-wicket win in the 4th Test. Despite competitive spells with the ball, Australia were unable to post match-defining totals in either innings, leaving the bowlers with little margin for error.
Australia’s first innings ended at 152, undone by disciplined seam bowling led by Josh Tongue, who claimed five wickets. England’s reply of 110 kept the contest alive, but Australia failed to take full advantage. In the second innings, Travis Head fought hard with a top score of 46, yet Australia were again bowled out for 132.
Defending a target of 174, Australia struck at intervals but England remained composed. Contributions from Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, and Jacob Bethell guided the visitors to the target, sealing the match with four wickets to spare.
Top Performers – Match
| Top Performer | Team | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Travis Head | Australia | 46 in 2nd innings |
| Steven Smith | Australia | 24* in 2nd innings |
| Josh Tongue | England | 5/45 & 2/44 |
| Brydon Carse | England | 4 wickets in 2nd innings |
| Jacob Bethell | England | 40 in 4th innings |
- Result: England won by 4 wickets
- Player of the Match: Josh Tongue, for his decisive spells across both innings
Australia showed resistance in patches, but repeated top-order failures across both innings proved costly. England’s consistency with the ball and composure during the chase ultimately tilted the Test in their favour.
Australia vs England, 3rd Test – Match Highlights (Adelaide)
Australia delivered a complete performance in Adelaide, defeating England by 82 runs to take control of the Ashes series. Strong batting depth and relentless bowling underlined Australia’s dominance across all four innings.
Alex Carey’s superb 106 anchored Australia’s first-innings 371, before the bowlers dismissed England for 286. Travis Head then took the match away from England with a commanding 170 in the second innings, setting a massive target of 435.
England pushed hard on the final day, but Australia never lost control. Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc struck at key intervals, while Nathan Lyon applied sustained pressure as England were bowled out for 352.
Top Performers – Match
| Top Performer | Team | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Alex Carey | Australia | 106 & 72 (POTM) |
| Travis Head | Australia | 170 in 2nd innings |
| Pat Cummins | Australia | 3/48 & key breakthroughs |
| Mitchell Starc | Australia | 3 wickets in 2nd innings |
| Zak Crawley | England | 85 in 4th innings |
- Result: Australia won by 82 runs
- Series: Australia lead 3-0
- Player of the Match: Alex Carey, for his match-defining 106 and 72, which laid the foundation for Australia’s 82-run victory.
Australia’s depth with both bat and ball once again proved decisive, with Carey and Head setting up a win that puts the hosts firmly in charge of the Ashes.
Australia vs England Ashes 2nd Test – Match Highlights (Brisbane)
The second Test of the Ashes 2025–26 saw Australia tighten their grip on the series with a dominant eight-wicket win at the Gabba. England posted 334 in their first innings, largely driven by Joe Root’s magnificent 138, his first-ever Test century on Australian soil. Mitchell Starc once again proved unstoppable under the pink ball, ripping through the top and middle order with 6 wickets, dismissing Duckett, Pope, Brook, Jacks, Atkinson, and Carse to derail England’s momentum.
Australia replied emphatically with 511, powered by a balanced all-round batting performance. Jake Weatherald’s fluent 72, Labuschagne’s 65, Steven Smith’s 61, and Alex Carey’s composed 63 laid a strong foundation. The standout, however, was Mitchell Starc’s gritty 77 down the order, extending Australia’s lead to a commanding 177.
England’s second innings followed a familiar pattern. Despite Zak Crawley’s 44 and Ben Stokes’ fighting 50, wickets fell regularly as Michael Neser’s 5-for and Starc’s relentless pressure bundled them out for 241, leaving Australia just 65 to win.
Chasing 69, Australia cruised to 69/2 in just 10 overs, with Steven Smith striking a brisk 23* to complete the victory and give Australia a 2–0 series lead. Mitchell Starc was rightly named Player of the Match for his match haul of 8 wickets and a vital fifty with the bat.
Top Performers – Match
| Top Performer | Team | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Mitchell Starc | Australia | 6/75 & 2/64, plus 77 with the bat (POTM) |
| Michael Neser | Australia | 1/43 & 5/42 (match figures 6 wickets) |
| Joe Root | England | 138 (206) in 1st innings |
| Jake Weatherald | Australia | 72 (78) in 1st innings |
| Alex Carey | Australia | 63 (69) in 1st innings |
Australia vs England Ashes 1st Test – Match Highlights (Perth)
The opening Test of the Ashes 2025–26 ended with a commanding eight-wicket win for Australia in Perth. England’s call to bat first backfired as Mitchell Starc tore through the top and middle order with a sensational seven-wicket burst, limiting them to 172 despite resistance from Harry Brook and Ollie Pope.
Australia also stumbled early in reply, with Ben Stokes delivering a brilliant five-wicket spell to bowl them out for 132. England couldn’t build on that advantage, collapsing for 164 in their second innings as Boland, Starc, and Doggett maintained relentless pressure.
Needing 164, Australia dominated the chase. Travis Head’s explosive 123 off 83 balls sealed the momentum, while Labuschagne supported calmly to guide the hosts to 205/2 and a 1-0 lead in the series.
Top Performers – Match
| Top Performer | Team | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Mitchell Starc | Australia | 7/58 & 3/55 (10 wickets in match) |
| Travis Head | Australia | 123 (83) in 2nd innings |
| Ben Stokes | England | 5/23 in 1st innings |
| Harry Brook | England | 52 (61) in 1st innings |
| Gus Atkinson | England | 37 (32) in 2nd innings |
When & Where Is The Ashes 2025-26?
The series runs from November 21 through January 4, 2026, across five Test matches in Australia’s summer.
| Date | Match | Time (Local) | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 21, 2025 | 1st Test | 10:30 AM | Perth Stadium, Perth | Australia won by 8 wickets |
| Nov 29, 2025 | 2-Day Warm-Up | 2:40 PM | Manuka Oval, Canberra | Match drawn |
| Dec 4, 2025 | 2nd Test | 2:00 PM | The Gabba, Brisbane | Australia won by 8 wkts |
| Dec 17, 2025 | 3rd Test | 10:00 AM | Adelaide Oval, Adelaide | Australia won by 82 runs |
| Dec 26, 2025 | 4th Test | 10:30 AM | Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne | England won by 4 wkts |
| Jan 4, 2026 | 5th Test | 10:30 AM | Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney | Yet to Start |
Perth hosts the opener at Optus Stadium before moving to Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney for the remaining fixtures. Each Test stretches five days, with the schedule spanning two months of continuous cricket that will define both teams’ summer campaigns.
The Ashes 2025-26 5th Test Weather Report
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | Around 23–28°C, warm summer conditions |
| Weather | Mostly clear with periods of sunshine |
| Precipitation | Low chance (10–15%), brief showers unlikely |
| Humidity | Around 55–65%, manageable for long sessions |
| Wind | Light coastal breeze, 10–18 km/h |
The weather in Sydney for the 5th Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground is expected to be largely favourable for cricket. Daytime temperatures should remain in the mid-to-high 20s, providing good playing conditions without extreme heat.
Humidity is forecast to stay moderate, allowing players to handle extended spells on the field. Rain is not expected to play a major role, with only a small chance of short interruptions. A light coastal breeze could assist swing bowlers, particularly during the morning sessions.
The Ashes 2025–26 5th Test Pitch Report
The Sydney Cricket Ground traditionally offers a surface that evolves as the Test progresses, rewarding patience with the bat and skill with the ball. Early in the match, fast bowlers can extract movement, while the pitch tends to slow down and aid spin in the later days.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Behaviour | True bounce early, slows as the match goes on |
| Batting Assistance | Good for set batters, especially Days 2–3 |
| Bowling Assistance | Seam early; spinners become influential later |
| Dimensions | Large square boundaries, value for placement |
| Historic Avg 1st Inns | Moderate scoring venue |
| Toss Preference | Teams often prefer batting first |
As the Test wears on, the SCG pitch usually begins to take turn, bringing spinners into the game from Day 4 onwards. Footmarks outside the right-hander’s off stump often become a key factor.
Batters who apply themselves early can build substantial innings, but bowlers who maintain accuracy and variation are rewarded. For England, managing spin in the latter stages will be crucial, while Australia will look to use their familiarity with SCG conditions to their advantage.
Past Results Of The Ashes: England vs Australia
England last won an Ashes series in Australia during 2010-11 when Alastair Cook and their pace bowlers dominated proceedings.
Since that victory, Australia has claimed three consecutive home series by widening margins, winning 5-0 in 2013-14, then 4-0 in 2017-18, another 4-0 demolition in 2021-22, and drawing only 2-2 in 2023 when England mounted a comeback after losing the first two matches.
| Series | 1st Test | 2nd Test | 3rd Test | 4th Test | 5th Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | AUS won by 8 wkts | AUS won by 8 wkts | AUS won by 82 runs | ENG won by 4 wkts | TBD |
| 2021-22 | AUS by 9 wkts | AUS by 275 runs | AUS by inns/14 runs | Draw | AUS by 146 runs |
| 2017-18 | AUS by 10 wkts | AUS by 120 runs | AUS by inns/41 runs | Draw | AUS by inns/123 runs |
| 2013-14 | AUS by 381 runs | AUS by 218 runs | AUS by 150 runs | AUS by 8 wkts | AUS by 281 runs |
| 2010-11 | Draw | ENG by inns/71 runs | AUS by 267 runs | ENG by inns/157 runs | ENG by inns/83 runs |
Players To Watch In The Ashes 2025-26
These six players will shape Perth’s outcome through their form, availability, and tactical importance to their respective teams.
1. Cameron Green provides Australia with a hybrid threat as a hard-hitting batsman and seam-bowling option on surfaces suiting his strengths.
His ability to change match momentum through explosive batting makes him dangerous in Perth’s conditions, where pace can be exploited. England must account for both his batting aggression and potential bowling versatility.
2. Travis Head averages over 50 against England and has scored multiple centuries in recent campaigns. He thrives on quick pitches where aggressive batting pays dividends, and Perth’s pace suits his attacking intent perfectly.
England’s bowlers must contain him early or watch him build large totals through attacking cricket.
3. Mitchell Starc carries enormous responsibility as Australia’s leading pace bowler. His left-arm swing and wobble-seam deliveries suit Perth’s conditions perfectly, and he remains genuinely dangerous despite reaching his mid-thirties.
4. Ben Stokes leads England as captain with confirmed fitness and will play at Perth. The big question is whether his body can last five Tests in seven weeks after his best summer with the ball ended in injury.
His captaincy has revitalised English Test cricket through aggressive intent, balancing his role as both frontline quick and number six batter with previous against Australia.
5. Harry Brook emerged as England’s dynamic vice-captain and hit 111 in their recent India series. His aggressive approach fits England’s playing philosophy perfectly, though Perth’s short-pitched bowling may test his technical soundness.
6. Mark Wood arrives fit and ready after recovering from knee surgery in March and being selected despite missing England’s summer Tests. His express pace gives England a genuine fast-bowling weapon on Perth’s quick surface, where pace bowlers profit significantly.
Pat Cummins will miss at least the first Test with a back injury, so Steve Smith will deputise as skipper in Perth. Josh Hazlewood faces a hamstring strain, ruling him out for the series opener and forcing Michael Neser to provide cover as backup.
Sean Abbott will also miss Perth due to a hamstring injury. Chris Woakes was omitted from England’s Ashes squad after his shoulder problems, with his retirement meaning Gus Atkinson will likely move to number eight.
These absences fundamentally reshape both teams’ tactical approaches and create opportunities for whoever adjusts first.
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Conclusion: Series Poised Heading Into The 5th Ashes Test
Australia’s strong momentum from their Adelaide win was checked in the 4th Ashes Test, as England produced a timely four-wicket victory at the MCG to keep the series alive. Despite Australia’s earlier dominance, England’s disciplined bowling and composed chase in Melbourne shifted the narrative and reopened the contest.
With the 4th Test now complete, attention turns to the 5th Ashes Test starting on January 4, where Australia will look to respond and reassert control. Betting markets reflect a more balanced outlook heading into the final Test, with recent results adding fresh intrigue to what promises to be a decisive end to the series.
FAQs
Root’s extraordinary 2025 form makes an Australian century inevitable this series, according to most experts, with Perth’s pace potentially suiting his evolved technique better than slower pitches previously challenged him on.
England’s attacking approach has revolutionised their Test cricket, though Perth demands respect for quality pace bowling and may punish reckless aggression if batters overextend themselves against Starc and Boland.
Losing both primary fast bowlers simultaneously represents a significant handicap that forces Mitchell Starc to shoulder an enormous workload while Scott Boland must deliver consistency from limited recent opportunities.
Usman Khawaja faces difficulty at age 39 against short-pitched bowling on quick surfaces, while younger players like Sam Konstas lack experience managing international-quality express pace bowling consistently.
Winning Perth would shift betting markets dramatically and provide psychological momentum that historically improves touring team confidence for subsequent venues, potentially reshaping the entire five-match contest fundamentally.
