Australia leads the 2025/26 Ashes series 2–0 after dominant wins in Perth and Brisbane. Travis Head’s 69-ball century and Mitchell Starc’s 10 wickets sealed the first Test inside two days, and despite Joe Root’s 138 at the Gabba, England fell again by eight wickets as Starc and Neser controlled the match.
The series now moves to the 3rd Test in Adelaide, a day-night fixture where the pink ball and twilight swing often reshape momentum. Australia enter as favourites based on form and their strong record under lights, while England look to avoid slipping to 3–0 and keep the series alive. Early odds mirror Australia’s dominance but also the unpredictability Adelaide can produce.
Winning & Toss Odds For The Ashes 2025-26 3rd Test Match
Australia enters the third Test with strong momentum after consecutive eight-wicket wins, while England face pressure to respond at a venue where Australia have dominated day-night cricket. Pat Cummins leads a confident attack, and Adelaide’s pink-ball conditions—especially during twilight—favour disciplined seam bowling.
| Bookmaker | Australia Win | England Win | Draw |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bet365 | 1.53 | 2.75 | 8.00 |
| William Hill | 1.57 | 2.50 | 8.00 |
| Betway | 1.57 | 2.60 | 8.00 |
| Betfred | 8/13 | 11/4 | 8/1 |
| Parimatch | 1.44 | 2.70 | 8.00 |
Disclaimer: Odds change rapidly. Weather updates, squad selections, and injuries shift markets constantly. Check bookmakers for current pricing before placing wagers.
Teams batting first generally perform better here, but the period around sunset often decides momentum. With Australia winning nine of their 12 home day-night Tests, they hold a clear advantage heading into this crucial match.
3rd Test Match Details Of The Ashes 2025-26
The third Test shifts to Adelaide Oval, hosting the series’ second day-night encounter. Known for pink-ball swing under lights and a balanced surface for both batters and bowlers, Adelaide promises a pivotal matchup as England look to fight back on December 17.
| Series | The Ashes: England vs Australia |
|---|---|
| Match | 3rd Test (Day/Night) |
| Date | 17 December 2025 |
| Time | 12:00 AM GMT |
| Venue | Adelaide Oval, Adelaide |
Match Summary – AUS vs ENG, 2nd Test (Full Match Highlights)
Australia delivered a dominant performance in the 2nd Ashes Test at The Gabba, securing an emphatic eight-wicket win to take a commanding 2–0 series lead. England posted 334 in the first innings, anchored by Joe Root’s superb 138, but Mitchell Starc’s destructive 6-wicket haul kept Australia firmly in control.
Australia’s reply was strong and steady as Weatherald (72), Labuschagne (65), Smith (61), Carey (63), and Starc’s crucial 77 pushed the total to 511, giving the hosts a hefty lead. England’s second innings faltered again, bowled out for 241, with Michael Neser starring with 5/42 and Starc adding two more. Chasing just 69, Australia wrapped up victory at 69/2 inside 10 overs, sealing another comprehensive result.
Mitchell Starc was named Player of the Match for his outstanding all-round display.
2nd Test – Match Highlights
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Match | Australia vs England, 2nd Test, The Gabba |
| Result | Australia won by 8 wickets |
| England 1st Innings | 334 all out |
| Australia 1st Innings | 511 all out |
| England 2nd Innings | 241 all out |
| Australia 2nd Innings | 69/2 (chased in 10 overs) |
| Top Batter (Match) | Joe Root – 138 (206) |
| Best Support (AUS) | Starc – 77 (141) • Weatherald – 72 (78) |
| Top Bowler (AUS) | Mitchell Starc – 6/75 & 2/64 |
| Key Breakthroughs | Starc removes Duckett & Pope early; Neser 5/42 in 2nd innings |
| Turning Point | England collapse from 176/3 → 334 & 224/7 → 241 |
| Player of the Match | Mitchell Starc |
| Series Status | Australia lead 2–0 |
Match Summary – AUS vs ENG, 1st Test (Full Match Highlights)
Australia opened the Ashes 2025–26 series in ruthless fashion at Perth Stadium, defeating England by eight wickets to take a 1–0 lead. England struggled from the outset, bowled out for 172 in the first innings despite counterattacking efforts from Pope (46) and Brook (52). Mitchell Starc was unplayable with the new ball and throughout, taking a sensational 7-for to dismantle England’s batting lineup.
Australia replied with 132, keeping the match tight as England’s bowlers fought hard, but England’s second innings collapse to 164 — again triggered by Starc and the short-ball plans executed by Doggett and Boland — left the visitors with no control. Chasing a modest target of 205, Australia cruised to 205/2, led confidently by their top order to wrap up the match inside four days.
Starc was named Player of the Match for his match-winning spell of 7 wickets, setting the tone for Australia’s dominance in the series opener.
1st Test – Match Highlights
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Match | Australia vs England, 1st Test, Perth Stadium |
| Result | Australia won by 8 wickets |
| England 1st Innings | 172 all out |
| Australia 1st Innings | 132 all out |
| England 2nd Innings | 164 all out |
| Australia 2nd Innings | 205/2 (chased comfortably) |
| Top Batter (ENG) | Harry Brook – 52 (61) |
| Best Support (ENG) | Ollie Pope – 46 (58) |
| Top Bowler (AUS) | Mitchell Starc – 7/37 (1st inns) |
| Additional Breakthroughs | Doggett removes Brook; Boland tightens middle-order pressure |
| Turning Point | England collapse 3/2 → 172 and 113/5 → 164 in 2nd innings |
| Player of the Match | Mitchell Starc |
| Series Status | Australia lead 1–0 |
The Ashes 2025-26 3rd Test Playing XI
Here are the expected playing XI of both teams –
England (Playing XI): Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes(c), Jamie Smith(w), Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer
Australia (Playing XI): Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith(c), Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey(w), Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Brendan Doggett
The Ashes 2025-26 3rd Test: Weather Report
Adelaide in mid-December offers warm, dry, and stable conditions—ideal for day-night Test cricket. Rain is unlikely, and clear evenings set up perfect swing-bowling conditions under lights. Temperatures cool significantly after sunset, allowing the pink ball to move more sharply during twilight and early night sessions.
| Metric | Report |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 22°C to 31°C |
| Weather | Clear skies, warm days, cool evenings |
| Precipitation | Slight chance of showers |
| Humidity | 40% to 55% |
| Wind | 10–18 km/h South/Southwesterly |
Adelaide’s dry climate means minimal weather interruptions. Twilight from 7:30 pm to 8:15 pm local time often becomes the most difficult batting window, with the pink ball swinging more prominently as temperature drops.
Pitch Report For The Ashes 2025-26 3rd Test Match
Adelaide Oval is known for being one of the most balanced Test surfaces in Australia. Batting is comfortable during afternoon sessions, but the pink ball becomes significantly more dangerous under lights. Seamers get lateral movement, while spinners come into play from Day 3 as the surface slowly wears and develops light cracks.
| Metric | Report |
|---|---|
| Behaviour | Balanced: true bounce early, swing under lights, late cracks |
| Batting Assistance | Good during daytime, challenging in twilight session |
| Bowling Assistance | Seamers effective under lights; spinners gain grip Day 3+ |
| Pink Ball Factor | Sharper swing in cool evening air, longer-lasting shine |
| Historic Avg 1st Inns | ~300–320 runs (Day-Night Tests at Adelaide) |
| Toss/Preference | Bat first, but avoid twilight batting early on |
The cool evening conditions at Adelaide enhance swing more consistently than Brisbane. Teams that manage their batting around the twilight overs tend to dominate the match.
The Ashes England vs Australia – Head-to-Head Stats
Overall, through history, Australia boasts 154 victories against England, who have 112 with 97 draws. England have not won a Test in Australia since 2011.
| Matches | 363 |
|---|---|
| Australia wins | 154 |
| England wins | 112 |
| Draws | 97 |
In the last 10 years in all locations, Tests between the two sides, England have seven wins to Australia’s 14, with four draws.
Some Other Head-to-Head Stats
These numbers tell stories of dominance across eras that shaped Test cricket itself.
- Highest total: England – 903/7 dec, Australia – 758/8 dec
- Lowest total: England – 45, Australia – 36
- Most runs (Australia): Don Bradman (5028), Allan Border (3548)
- Most runs (England): Jack Hobbs (3636), David Gower (3269)
- Most wickets (Australia): Shane Warne (195), Dennis Lillee (167)
- Most wickets (England): Stuart Broad (153), Ian Botham (148)
Bradman averaged 89.78 across 37 Ashes Tests between 1928 and 1948, a figure that remains untouchable. Warne’s 195 wickets came from his ability to spin the ball both ways on any surface.
English bowlers historically struggled in the Australian heat, where pitches favoured pace and bounce over swing. The numbers reveal how Australian conditions suit their players, while England must adapt methods learned on green English wickets.
Players To Watch In The Ashes 2025-26
Six players emerge as critical to their teams after Perth exposed batting frailties and pace dominance. Form and fitness separate contenders from passengers heading into Brisbane.
1. Mitchell Starc (Australia) – The veteran claimed 10 wickets at Perth for his third match haul of that scale in Tests. Starc took 7-58 in England’s first innings and 3-55 in their second, dismantling both batting efforts. Australia leans heavily on him again, with Hazlewood still out and Cummins uncertain.
2. Travis Head (Australia) – Head promoted to open and smashed 123 off 83 balls with 16 fours and four sixes, the second fastest Ashes century ever. His aggressive approach changed the match in 28 overs. Whether he opens again or returns to number five depends on Khawaja’s back recovery.
3. Zak Crawley (England) – The opener bagged a pair of first-over ducks at Perth, both dismissed by Starc, marking England’s first Ashes pair this century. Coach Brendon McCullum backs him despite the failures. Crawley needs runs immediately to silence critics questioning his place.
4. Harry Brook (England) – Vice-captain managed just 52 runs across two innings at Perth before falling cheaply in the second. Brook averages over 60 at the Gabba from previous visits but faces his toughest examination under lights against the pink ball on a bouncy track.
5. Scott Boland (Australia) – Went for 0-62 in Perth’s first innings but found his length the second time around with 4-33 to trigger England’s collapse. The Victorian holds his spot with Hazlewood sidelined and Cummins doubtful. Brisbane conditions suit his precise line and length bowling.
Usman Khawaja suffered back spasms at Perth and couldn’t open in either innings , making him doubtful for Brisbane. Josh Hazlewood remains unavailable with his hamstring problem and is unlikely to feature.
England retain the same squad with McCullum backing his methods despite the two-day defeat. If Cummins returns fit, debutant Brendan Doggett likely makes way despite his five wickets on debut.
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Conclusion: Australia Leads The Ashes 2–0 And Hold The Advantage In Adelaide
Australia’s commanding performances in Perth and Brisbane have put them firmly in control of the Ashes, with England now facing a critical moment in the series. Back-to-back eight-wicket defeats have exposed recurring batting issues, and the pressure intensifies as the contest moves to Adelaide for the second day-night Test of the tour.
Adelaide Oval offers little margin for error, especially under lights where the pink ball swings sharply and Australia’s bowlers have historically dominated. With Pat Cummins leading a settled attack and Australia boasting one of the strongest day-night records in world cricket, the hosts step into the 3rd Test with clear momentum.
England continue to support their aggressive Bazball approach, but unless they find stability against swing and seam, the series risks slipping away before the Boxing Day Test. Adelaide may well decide whether England can spark a comeback—or whether Australia tighten their grip on the urn.
FAQs
The first day-night Test took place between Australia and New Zealand at Adelaide Oval on November 27, 2015. Australia won by three wickets on day three.
The pink ball has an extra lacquer coating, which maintains shine longer, causing more lateral movement in the air for extended overs. The smoother surface also makes it skid faster off the pitch.
Play begins at 2 pm local time and extends until around 9 pm. The twilight period between 5:30pm and 7pm presents the toughest batting conditions under fading natural light.
England have won just four of 22 Tests in Brisbane, with their most recent victory coming in 1986-87. Australia has won seven of the last nine Ashes Tests there.
