5 Keys to Success for Australia in the Ashes 2025-26

Australia have won the last two Ashes series played at home.

It is time for cricket’s oldest rivalry to come alive. The all-important Ashes 2025-26 is all set to begin in Australia on November 21. It is not just a bilateral series; it is a demonstration of the historic past, which will be recalled with every wicket and run in this series.

Australia are currently the holder of the Ashes trophy, as they have been undefeated in the last four editions. England will be down under, hoping that the duo of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum bring the urn back. Australia beat India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 a year back and are very strong at home.

The hosts might have some injury concerns and form issues, but they will surely be favorites heading into the Ashes 2025-26. Here we will discuss five key reasons why Australia are favorites for the Ashes 2025-26.

Five Keys to Success for Australia in the Ashes 2025-26

1. Solid Opening Pair

The most important batting position in tests in Australia is opening the batting. Teams with good openers have succeeded comparatively in Australia. If we look at the past, Australia have always had good openers, dominating the opposition time and time again.

Even in the current squad. Usman Khawaja is a trusted name at the top. The 38-year-old is improving with age. He was one key reason for Australia’s success at the home Ashes in 2023, scoring 365 runs at an average of 45.6. He is pretty good against pace and spin, making him an important player in this lineup.

Australia have been in search of a second opener since David Warner’s retirement and have tried a few names. They have a couple of options in the current squad. Tasmanian opener Jake Weatherald, who is a dasher, is in the squad, and Marnus Labuschagne is another solid option for Australia. With Khawaja on one side, either Weatherald or Labuschagne can make an ideal pair.

2. Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne’s form

If you want to beat Australia in Australia, you must outscore them. Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne are two big guns in this context. These batters don’t just score runs; they just score big centuries. In the last 4-5 years, these two have been the top run-scorers for Australia.

Since the start of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) in 2019, Smith has scored 4278 runs and Labuschagne has scored 4225 runs and are second and third on the list of most WTC runs ever. And if we talk about their current form, Smithhas an average of 115.5 in the ongoing Sheffield Shield tournament.

Meanwhile Labuschagne has five centuries in the last 8 innings (FC + List A) for Queensland. These two are in the form of their life and will have a big role in Australia’s success at Ashes 2025-26.

3. Pat Cummins’ leadership

Pat Cummins is probably the best test captain in the current generation. Even the stats also confirm the same. He has won the ICC WTC, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and the Ashes 2021 as captain. Cummins has led Australia in 37 tests, winning 23 of them and losing only 8.

His win percentage of 62.16 is the best among captains with 25 or more tests in the ICC WTC. His smart tactics, ability to perform under pressure, wicket-taking skills, and the way he read the pitch are some prime examples of his great leadership. He leads from the front and as a captain, Cummins has 145 wickets and 840 runs in 37 tests, making him a real asset to Australia for the coming Ashes 2025-26. Although, he will miss the first test due to injury, he is expected to play rest four games.

4. Australia’s Awesome Quartet

Not just batting, Australia have always been a dominating bowling force as well. Even in the decade or so, Australia have one of the most successful bowling combinations that the world has ever seen. The pace trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood are deadly as hell.

Especially on these pitches in Australia. Then, you have Nathan Lyon, who is Australia’s third-highest wicket-taker of all time in tests. Combined, these four have taken a total of 1568 test wickets, which is way more than the English side. Hazlewood needs five wickets to complete 300 test wickets, and Australia will have four bowlers with 300 or more wickets in the playing XI, which is very rare to see.

However, Australia will be without Cummins and Hazlewood in the opening test in Perth.

5. Travis Head—The Juggernaut

England are famous for their aggressive batting approach, while Australia play in a more traditional way. But when it comes to Travis Head, he is a complete destroyer. England know it pretty well because with 357 runs, Head finished the Ashes 2021-22 as the top scorer.

He won two Player of the Matches in five Ashes tests last time England played in Australia. Though he might look short of runs, one good innings can fill him with the confidence he requires. His presence on the crease is enough to terrorize the opposition.

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