Records almost tumbled not for the quantum of runs scored or for wickets scalped but for how long the entire game lasted. An Ashes rivalry that spans more than a century saw Test matches end inside two days in over hundred years.

Australia won, England lost, but Test cricket barely survived

Australia's Mitchell Starc took 31 wickets in Ashes 2025-26 - the most by any bowler. The next are Brydon Carse (22 wickets), Scott Boland (20 wickets), Josh Tongue (18 wickets), Michale Neser & Ben Stokes - 15 wickets each.

From Starc to Stokes: Meet top 5 bowlers with most wickets in Ashes 2025-26

After scoring 163 in Sydney, Head was told by reporters that he has seven 150-plus Test scores but not a single double hundred, to which he replied with a laugh: “Beggars can’t be choosers.”

Travis Head says 'beggars can't be choosers' on being reminded about no Test double hundred

Travis Head (579 runs in Ashes 2025/26) is now one of four openers with 500+ runs in one Ashes series 2000. The other three batters are Alastair Cook (766 in 2010/11), Michael Vaughan (633 in 2002/03), and David Warner (523 in 2013/14).

Travis Head joins list of openers with 500-plus runs in one Ashes series since 2000. Only three more batters are in list

England's Joe Root now has 17 150-plus scores in Test cricket after his 41st Test ton which came in Sydeny Test of Ashes 2025-26. Others on the list are Sachin Tendulkar (20), Brian Lara (19), Kumar Sangakkara (19), and Don Bradman (18).

17 and counting! Joe Root joins legendary list of most 150-plus scores in Test cricket

On Friday, an emotional Usman Khawaja held a presser where he announced his desire to retire after the SCG Test. He was accompanied by family, including his wife and kids, when he announced the decision. 

Ashes: Steve Smith backs Usman Khawaja ahead of farewell Test, says 'too many people get...'

The final Test between Australia and England will start on Sunday (Jan 4) with the hosts leading 3-1. England were forced to make the changes after Gus Atkinson injured his hamstring, while Jofra Archer was also ruled out due to injury-related issues.

Ashes: Shoaib Bashir, Matthew Potts included in 12-man squad for SCG Test

Usman Khawaja, who debuted at the Sydney Cricket Ground in the 2010-11 Ashes, will finish his international career at the same ground, playing his 88th and final Test for Australia.

Ashes: Usman Khawaja hits out at racial stereotyping, says 'I've always felt a little bit different'

Usman Khawaja, who made his debut at the Sydney Cricket Ground in the 2010-11 Ashes for the Aussies, will complete a full circle and retire from international cricket at the same ground. 

Ashes: Veteran Usman Khawaja announces international retirement, to bid farewell at SCG

As the final Test of another intense Ashes series gets closer, Usman Khawaja, now in the twilight of his career, is struggling for form. 

Ashes: Michael Vaughan urges Usman Khawaja to quit Test cricket on terms ahead of Sydney clash

Having lost in the vicinity of AUD$5 million (US$3.3 million) for the two-day Test in Perth after 19 wickets fell on day one, CA are staring another massive loss in the face if the MCG Test ends inside six sessions despite a record crowd of 94,199 on day one and another sell-out on day two.

Ashes: Cricket Australia CEO hints at intervening on pitches, says 'short Tests are bad for business'

Playing on Day 2, England chased down 175 runs in the final session, meaning the Aussies were condemned to their first loss of the season. Despite the defeat, Australia remain top of the standings at the end of 2025 while England made no progress, having won the Ashes Test by four wickets.

Updated WTC standings: England halt Australia's perfect record with Boxing Day Test win, India stay sixth

Playing at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in the traditional year-ending fixture, England's four-wicket victory ended their almost 15-year winless streak on Australian soil in red-ball format.

Ashes: England end winless streak on Australian soil, clinch Boxing Day Test on Day 2

Playing in the fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Marnus Labuschagne's controversial dismissal adds more fuel to the fire, with snicko already under the radar. 

Watch: Marnus Labuschagne leaves in anger as another DRS call adds to controversy in Ashes

From Joe Root to Rahul Dravid here is a list of five fielders with most catches in Test cricket. The list also features legendary names like Steve Smith, Mahela Jayawardene and Jacques Kallis. 

From Joe Root to Rahul Dravid, 5 fielders with most catches in Test cricket

From Harry Brook to David Warner here is a list of batters fastest to 3000 Test runs by balls faced. The list also features the likes of Adam Gilchrist, Indian duo of Rishabh Pant and Virender Sehwag. 

From Harry Brook to David Warner, 5 batters fastest to 3000 Test runs (by balls faced)

The decision to bowl first at MCG proved fruitful for England as Australia lost early wickets and were 72/4 at lunch break; they lost key batters like Travis Head (12) and Jake Weatherald (10). 

Ashes: Bowlers run riot on Boxing Day as Australia take rare first innings lead on Day 1

With the traditional Boxing Day fixture set to drop curtains on the calendar year, Australia have named four pacers in the Playing XI, which includes Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Michael Neser and Jhye Richardson.

Ashes 2025-26: Steve Smith to lead in Pat Cummins's absence as Aussies name four pacers for Boxing Day Test

While Stokes' demand isn't unfair, England, as a team, has failed to live up to their end of the bargain and give fans something to cheer for as they trail 0-3 in five-Test Ashes with hopes of winning the urn in Australia buried deep until the next tour Down Under.

Ashes 2025-26: Ben Stokes wants 'empathy' for England players amid horrid performance

In an announcement, England dropped Ollie Pope while Jofra Archer was ruled out of the remainder of the series. The visitors have roped in Jacob Bethell and Gus Atkinson, and despite a controversial viral video circulating, Ben Duckett has retained his place in the Playing XI.

Ashes: England make two changes for Boxing Day Test; Ollie Pope dropped

Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon to miss the remainder of the Ashes series against England as Australia reveal a 15-player squad for the Boxing Day Test.


Ashes test series: Australia names 15-member squad for Boxing Day test 

England, despite playing an injury-hit Australia, could not contain them, especially Travis Head who is the highest run-getter in the series - 379 in six innings at an average of 63 with two tons already.

Ashes 2025-26: Broad still hung up on 'current Australia team being worst in 15 years' despite England's loss

Playing at the Adelaide Oval, Australia need four more wickets on Day 5 of the Test to win the Ashes 3-0 with two matches to go. At Stumps on Day 4, England closed at 207/6, needing 228 more runs to win. 

Australia edge closer to retaining Ashes as England survive Day 4 after Zak Crawley's resistance

Playing at the Adelaide Oval, Australia’s Travis Head smashed a brilliant unbeaten 142 at Stumps on Day 3, meaning the hosts now lead by 356 runs in the second innings as the Aussies closed at 271/4. 

Ashes: Travis Head leads Australia into pole position as England fight to save Adelaide Test

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Australia won, England lost, but Test cricket barely survived

From Starc to Stokes: Meet top 5 bowlers with most wickets in Ashes 2025-26

Head says 'beggars can't be choosers' on being reminded about no Test double ton

Head is now one of four openers with 500+ runs in one Ashes series since 2000

17 and counting! Joe Root joins legendary list of most 150-plus scores in Tests

Ashes: Smith backs Khawaja ahead of farewell Test, says 'too many people get...'

Ashes: Shoaib Bashir, Matthew Potts included in 12-man squad for SCG Test

Ashes: Usman Khawaja hits out at racial stereotyping after Test retirement

Ashes: Usman Khawaja announces international retirement, to bid farewell at SCG

Ashes: Michael Vaughan urges Usman Khawaja to quit Test cricket on terms

Ashes: CA CEO hints at intervening on pitches, says 'short Tests are bad for...'

WTC standings: England halt Australia's perfect record with Boxing Day Test win

Ashes: England end winless streak in Australia, clinch Boxing Day Test on Day 2

Watch: Marnus Labuschagne leaves in anger as another DRS call adds to controversy in Ashes

From Joe Root to Rahul Dravid, 5 fielders with most catches in Test cricket

From Brook to Warner, 5 batters fastest to 3000 Test runs (by balls faced)

Ashes: Bowlers run riot on Boxing Day as Australia take rare lead on Day 1

Ashes 2025-26: Aussies name four pacers for Boxing Day Test, Smith to lead

Ashes: Ben Stokes wants 'empathy' for England players amid horrid performance

Ashes: England make wholesale changes for Boxing Day Test; Pope dropped

Ashes test series: Australia names 15-member squad for Boxing Day test

Ashes: Broad still hung up on 'current Australia team being worst in 15 years'

Australia edge closer to retaining Ashes as England survive Day 4 in Adelaide

Ashes: Head leads Aussies into pole position as England face Adelaide heat