The Nightwatchman's 2025/26 Ashes Team of the series

In what was essentially a fait accompli, Australia’s 4-1 series win felt inevitable long before the final ball—and, in hindsight, even before the first was bowled. Here’s our take on the combined Ashes XI for 2025/26. Travis Head (Aus)

5 matches, 659 runs at 62.90, 3 hundreds, HS: 170

Head produced a standout campaign, climbing into the top 10 for most runs by an Australian in a single Ashes series. A twist of fate saw him promoted to opener in Perth, and from there he dismantled England’s new-ball attack with three commanding centuries. The only thing missing? That long-awaited double ton.

Zak Crawley (Eng)

5 matches, 273 runs at 27.30, 0 hundreds, 2 fifties, HS: 85

The fact Crawley makes this XI despite averaging under 30 speaks volumes about England’s opening woes. After a pair in Perth, he briefly steadied with two respectable knocks in the second and third Tests before fading again as the series wore on. His inconsistency now demands serious scrutiny—not just of his own role, but of England’s broader approach to their top-order partnership.

Jacob Bethell (Eng)

2 matches, 205 runs at 51.25, 1 hundred, HS: 154

Bethell’s first Ashes tour could have been a poisoned chalice, arriving with the series already lost and England in disarray. Instead, he seized the moment. A gritty 40 in brutal conditions during the MCG finale set the stage for his breakthrough—a sublime maiden century in Sydney. On the back of that performance, England’s No.3 spot looks his for the long haul.

Joe Root (Eng)

5 matches, 400 runs at 44.44, 2 hundreds, HS: 160

Often the steady presence amid England’s turbulence, Root faced yet another demanding assignment as the side’s cornerstone on what is likely his last Ashes tour in Australia. His own contributions couldn’t mask the broader failings around him, but he did manage to silence Matthew Hayden’s cheeky SCG wager by finally posting a century on Australian soil. He signed off in style with a commanding hundred in Perth, leaving his record Down Under looking far more complete.

Steve Smith (Aus)

4 matches, 286 runs at 57.20, 1 hundred, 1 fifty, HS: 138

For much of the series, Smith found himself captaining Australia while also delivering crucial contributions with the bat. He guided the side home in the opening two Tests without reaching three figures, a milestone that finally came in Sydney. That century pushed his Ashes tally to 13, a mark surpassed only by Don Bradman in the history of the contest.

Alex Carey (Aus)

5 matches, 323 runs at 46.14, 1 hundred, 2 fifties, HS: 106 28 Dismissals - 27c, 1s

Carey’s influence on the series was evident both with the bat and behind the stumps. His decision to stand up to the wicket when England’s batters advanced to counter Scott Boland disrupted their plans, and he played pivotal roles with the bat in Brisbane and Adelaide. His assured performances only served to underscore Jamie Smith’s struggles more starkly.

Beau Webster (Aus)

1 match, 71 runs, 1 fifty, HS: 71*

3 wickets at 28.00, BBI: 3-64

Webster needed just one outing to force his way into this XI. His unbeaten 71 lifted Australia beyond 500 and, just as importantly, he added balance with his off-spin, claiming three England wickets. That dual impact edges him ahead of Ben Stokes for the all-rounder slot—Stokes bowled well across the series but never produced a defining innings, while Webster offers the extra spin option Australia craved.

Mitchell Starc (Aus)

5 matches, 31 wickets at 19.93, 2 five-fors, BBI: 7-58

156 runs at 26.00, 2 fifties, HS: 77

Starc set the tone from the very first delivery and never let up. His 31 wickets were the most by an Australian quick in an Ashes series since Mitchell Johnson in 2013, and he delivered when the pressure was highest. Even with the bat, he added sting to England’s frustrations, stretching Australia’s tail and turning tight situations into commanding ones.

Michael Neser (Aus)

3 matches, 15 wickets at 19.93, 1 five-for, 5-42

Neser’s chance came through injuries to Australia’s frontline quicks, but he made every opportunity count. He extended his remarkable day-night record in Brisbane before backing it up with four-wicket hauls in both Melbourne and Sydney, slotting in seamlessly to keep the attack firing.

Scott Boland (Aus)

5 matches, 20 wickets at 24.95, 0 five-fors, BBI: 4-33

Boland’s series began with a shaky opening day in Perth, but by day two he was slicing through England’s top order, removing three of their first five. From there, he became a model of consistency, and his economy rate of 3.12 stood out in a series where runs flowed freely against most bowlers.

Josh Tongue (Eng)

3 matches, 18 wickets at 20.11, 1 five-for, BBI: 5-45

Tongue is the only member of England's attack to make into this XI and stood head and shoulders above the majority of his teammates. He took five during England's win in Melbourne, and was easily the pick of the pack in Sydney.

12th Man - Nathan Lyon (Aus)

2 matches, 5 wickets at 31.40, 0 five-fors, BBI: 3-71

Cruelled by injury and bold selection calls, his impact may look minimal on paper. Yet, had he been fit, he would have shaped the outcome in Sydney and late in Adelaide. In a series where he overtook Glenn McGrath as Australia’s all-time leading Test wicket-taker, his inclusion feels like fitting recognition.

Honourable Mention - Usman Khawaja

If not for that back spasm - golf-induced or otherwise - we’d never have seen Travis Head promoted to open. Turns out, David Warner’s successor was hiding in plain sight. Now, the challenge is finding a replacement for Uzzy himself.