Top 5 bowlers with most wickets in Ashes 2025-26

Mitchell Starc was named the Player of the Series in Ashes 2025-26 for his exceptional performances with ball in all games.

Australia won the fifth and final Test at Sydney by five wickets to win the Ashes 2025-26 series 4-1. The hosts were asked to chase 160 and they got to the score comfortably in the end despite a few hiccups.

Jacob Bethell’s 154 took England to 342 in their second innings as Josh Tongue was the final wicket to fall in the second innings. On a pitch where other England batters struggled, Bethell’s knock was the standout for the hosts.

Chasing 160 to win, Australian openers Travis Head (29) and Jake Weatherald (34) added 62 for the first wicket. Australia lost a few wickets in the middle with Steve Smith (12), Marnus Labuschagne (37) and Usman Khawaja (6) falling quickly.

Then it was Alex Carey (16*) and Cameron Green (22*) who added a 40-run stand to take Australia to victory. In the end, it was a dominating win for Australia as they made a huge statement and held on to the top spot of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 points table firmly after the win.

This Ashes series saw some brilliant bowling performances from bowlers from both sides. Mitchell Starc was named the Player of the Series as he picked up 31 wickets in the series and ended as the highest wicket-taker. In this article, we will take a look at the top five wicket-takers of the Ashes 2025-26 series.

Top 5 wicket-takers in Ashes 2025-26 series

5) Michael Neser – 15 wickets in 3 Tests

Australian bowling all-rounder Michael Neser took 15 wickets from just three Tests in Ashes 2025-26. He bowled at an economy of under four and averaged below 20 in the series. He made some useful runs with the bat as well, besides proving to be a fitting cover for the likes of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.

4) Josh Tongue – 18 wickets in 3 Tests

At number four comes England’s Josh Tongue, who took 18 wickets in the series and well and truly led the England bowling attack. He took a fifer in the fourth Test at the MCG, which England won in two days. Tongue needs to build on his good work and remain injury-free to feature consistently in Tests for England.

3) Scott Boland – 20 wickets in 5 Tests

Scott Boland played all five Tests for Australia and bowled immaculately for the hosts, picking 20 wickets. He troubled almost every batter in the series and made the ball talk. He averaged 24.95 in the series and maintained an economy rate of just 3.12. In many ways, he was the ideal replacement for Josh Hazlewood in the playing XI for Australia.

2) Brydon Carse – 22 wickets in five Tests

England’s Brydon Carse played all five Tests for his side and bowled relentlessly for the visitors, taking 22 wickets in the series. He bowled a few hostile spells and troubled the Aussie batters with his short-pitch stuff. With Jofra Archer and Mark Wood injured, Carse was the bowler who covered up for the two senior pacers. He averaged over 30 in the series and his economy was 4.81.

1) Mitchell Starc – 31 wickets in five Tests

Mitchell Starc ended the series as the leading wicket-taker with 31 wickets from five Tests. He had an economy rate of 4.03 and maintained an average of less than 20 throughout the series. He dismissed England skipper Ben Stokes five times in the series and now has dismissed him 14 times overall in Test cricket. Besides, Stokes, he also dismissed Jos Root thrice in the series.

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