England National Cricket Team vs Australia Men’s Cricket Team Match Scorecard: Full Details and Results

The most recent encounter between the England national cricket team and the Australia men’s cricket team concluded on January 8, 2026, at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), where Australia secured a 5-wicket victory to win the 2025-26 Ashes series 4-1.¹ In this final Test, England posted scores of 384 and 342, while Australia responded with 567 and 161/5 to chase down the target on Day 5. Travis Head was named Player of the Match for his significant batting contributions, while Mitchell Starc earned Player of the Series honors for his 31 wickets across the five matches.²

This article provides an exhaustive breakdown of the match scorecard, individual player performances, and the broader historical context of the England vs Australia rivalry. Readers will find detailed statistics from the 2025-26 Ashes, historical head-to-head records across Test, ODI, and T20 formats, and a look ahead to upcoming fixtures in 2026 and 2027.

Recent Match Scorecard: 5th Ashes Test 2025-26

The fifth and final Test of the 2025-26 Ashes series took place at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 4 to January 8, 2026.³ Australia entered the match having already retained the Ashes with a 3-1 lead, eventually finishing the series with a dominant 4-1 scoreline after a tense final day in Sydney.⁴

England’s first innings was highlighted by a resilient century from Joe Root, his first-ever Test ton on Australian soil, helping the visitors reach 384.⁵ However, Australia’s first innings total of 567—featuring contributions from every single batter—put them in a commanding position that England could not fully recover from despite a spirited second-innings 342.

England First Innings

Batter	Dismissal	Runs	Balls
Zak Crawley	c Carey b Starc	42	68
Ben Duckett	b Boland	15	22
Ollie Pope	c Smith b Neser	55	94
Joe Root	not out	138	206
Harry Brook	c Head b Starc	38	45
Ben Stokes	c Labuschagne b Lyon	50	112
Total	All Out (97 overs)	384

Australia First Innings

Batter	Dismissal	Runs	Balls
Usman Khawaja	c Smith b Tongue	64	132
Travis Head	c Root b Carse	123	83
Mitchell Starc	c Brook b Carse	77	141
Total	All Out (133 overs)	567

2025-26 Ashes Series Summary

The 2025-26 Ashes series saw Australia maintain their dominance at home, securing the urn in just 11 days of play across the first three Tests.⁶ England’s solitary victory came in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, where Josh Tongue’s five-wicket haul ended a 14-year winless streak for England in Australian Ashes Tests.

Australia’s success was built on the incredible bowling of Mitchell Starc, who became the highest wicket-taking left-arm fast bowler in Test history during this series.⁷ The Australian batting was led by Travis Head, who amassed 629 runs, including a massive 170 in the third Test at Adelaide.⁸

Series Results at a Glance

1st Test (Perth): Australia won by 8 wickets.⁹
2nd Test (Brisbane): Australia won by 172 runs.
3rd Test (Adelaide): Australia won by 9 wickets.
4th Test (Melbourne): England won by 4 wickets.
5th Test (Sydney): Australia won by 5 wickets.¹⁰

Historical Test Head-to-Head Records

The rivalry between England and Australia is the oldest in international cricket, dating back to the first-ever Test match in 1877.¹¹ Since then, the two nations have competed in over 360 Test matches, with Australia holding a significant advantage in total wins.¹²

In the context of The Ashes, Australia has won 35 series compared to England’s 32, with 7 series ending in a draw. Interestingly, England has a slightly better record when playing away in certain eras, but Australia’s home record since the turn of the millennium has been nearly impenetrable for English squads.

All-Time Test Statistics

Format	Matches	Australia Wins	England Wins	Draws
Overall Tests	362	153	113	96
Ashes Series	74	35	32	7

One Day International (ODI) Dominance

While the Ashes is the pinnacle of their Test rivalry, the ODI format has seen Australia assert even greater dominance over England.¹³ Australia has won 93 of the 163 ODIs played between the two sides, including a record seven wins out of ten meetings in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.

In February 2025, during the ICC Champions Trophy, Australia defeated England by 5 wickets in Lahore.¹⁴ England posted 351/8 thanks to Ben Duckett’s 165, but Josh Inglis’s century guided Australia to a successful chase, proving the depth of their white-ball talent.

Key ODI Records

Highest Team Total: England 481/6 (2018)¹⁵
Lowest Team Total: Australia 70 (1977)¹⁶
Most Runs: Eoin Morgan (1,952)
Most Wickets: Brett Lee (65)

T20 International Statistics and Trends

The T20 format is the most closely contested between these two giants. Historically, the head-to-head record in T20 Internationals sits nearly level, with both teams trading victories in World Cups and bilateral series.¹⁷

England currently holds a slight edge in recent T20I encounters, having won 12 of the 26 matches played to date.¹⁸ Notable performers in this format include Jos Buttler for England and Aaron Finch for Australia, both of whom have scored over 500 runs in head-to-head fixtures.¹⁹

T20I Performance Table

Team	Wins	Highest Score	Best Bowler
England	12	221/5	Adil Rashid
Australia	12	248/6	Mitchell Johnson
No Result	2	–	–

Key Players to Watch in 2026

As the teams move into the 2026 season, several players have established themselves as the core of this rivalry. Joe Root remains the backbone of the English batting lineup, recently surpassing major milestones in the 2025-26 Ashes.²⁰ For Australia, Steve Smith continues to be a primary threat, even as he enters the veteran stage of his career.²¹

Emerging talents like Harry Brook (England) and Cameron Green (Australia) represent the next generation. Brook’s aggressive “Bazball” approach has redefined England’s middle order, while Green’s all-round capabilities provide Australia with a unique tactical advantage in all formats.

Top Performers (2025-26)

Travis Head (AUS): 629 runs in the 2025-26 Ashes.²²
Mitchell Starc (AUS): 31 wickets in the 2025-26 Ashes.²³
Joe Root (ENG): First Australian century in 2026.
Brydon Carse (ENG): Leading England wicket-taker (22 wickets).

Practical Information and Planning

For fans looking to attend future matches between England and Australia, early planning is essential due to the high demand for tickets. The next major series in Australia is scheduled for the 2026nd half of the year, featuring limited-overs matches.

What to Expect

Matches in Australia are known for their high energy and large crowds, particularly at the MCG and Adelaide Oval. Weather conditions can be extreme, with temperatures often exceeding 35°C during the summer months.

Travel and Tickets

Venues: Perth Stadium, The Gabba, Adelaide Oval, MCG, SCG.²⁴
Ticket Prices: Range from $30 for general admission to $500+ for premium hospitality.
Transport: All major Australian stadiums are well-served by public trains and trams.
Visitor Tip: Always book “Boxing Day” (Dec 26) tickets at least six months in advance.

Upcoming Fixtures: 2026-2027

The England cricket team is scheduled to return to Australia in November 2026.²⁵ This tour will focus on white-ball cricket, consisting of three One Day Internationals and five Twenty20 Internationals.²⁶

In March 2027, a historic one-off Day-Night Test match was planned to commemorate 150 years of Test cricket between the two nations.²⁷ This match is expected to be held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, mirroring the first-ever Test in 1877.

2026 White-Ball Schedule

ODI Series: 3 Matches (Nov 2026)
T20I Series: 5 Matches (Nov/Dec 2026)
Venues: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide.²⁸

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the 2025-26 Ashes series?

Australia won the 2025-26 Ashes series 4-1.29 They retained the urn after winning the first three matches in Perth, Brisbane, and Adelaide.

Where was the last England vs Australia match played?

The last match was played at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) from January 4 to January 8, 2026.30 This was the fifth and final Test of the Ashes series.31

Who has won more Ashes series, England or Australia?

Australia has won 35 Ashes series, while England has won 32. Seven series have ended in a draw, with Australia retaining the trophy in six of those instances.32

What is the highest individual score in England vs Australia ODIs?

Jason Roy holds the record for the highest individual score for England against Australia with 180 runs.33 For Australia, Shane Watson holds the record with 161*.34

Who is the leading wicket-taker in Ashes history?

Shane Warne is the all-time leading wicket-taker in Ashes history with 195 wickets.35 For England, Stuart Broad holds the record with 153 wickets.36

Has England ever won a Test match at the MCG?

Yes, England’s most recent win at the MCG occurred in December 2025 during the 4th Test of the Ashes. This victory ended a 14-year winless streak for England in Australia.

What is the “Bodyline” series?

The “Bodyline” series refers to the 1932-33 Ashes tour where England used a controversial bowling tactic aimed at the batter’s body to neutralize Australian legend Don Bradman.37

How many runs did Don Bradman score in the Ashes?

Sir Donald Bradman scored a record 5,028 runs in Ashes cricket at an incredible average of 89.78.38

Who was the Player of the Series in the 2025-26 Ashes?

Mitchell Starc was named the Player of the Series for his 31 wickets and his record-breaking performance as a left-arm pacer.39

When is the next England vs Australia Test match?

The next Test match is a one-off 150th Anniversary Test scheduled for March 2027 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.40

Can I buy tickets for the 2026 England tour of Australia?

Tickets for the late 2026 white-ball series are expected to go on sale in mid-2026 via Cricket Australia’s official website.

What is the record for the highest team total in Test matches between these two?

England holds the record with 903/7 declared, set at The Oval in 1938.41

Final Thoughts

The England cricket team vs Australian men’s cricket team match scorecard from the 2025-26 series serves as a stark reminder of the rigorous standards required to win on Australian soil. While England’s historic 4-wicket victory at the MCG broke a 15-year drought and showcased the emerging talent of Jacob Bethell, the overall 4-1 series result confirmed Australia’s tactical and physical superiority in home conditions. Australia’s ability to secure the urn in just 11 days of play—the quickest retention in over two decades—highlights a gap in consistency that “Bazball” has yet to bridge against high-quality pace.

For Australia, the series was a masterclass in resilience and squad depth. Despite missing key figures like Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon for portions of the summer, veterans like Mitchell Starc (31 wickets) and the middle-order aggression of Travis Head (629 runs) ensured they remained a step ahead. The series also provided a fitting farewell for Usman Khawaja, who retired after the Sydney Test, having anchored the Australian top order through one of its most successful eras.

Looking toward the horizon, the rivalry is entering a celebratory phase. While both teams now pivot toward the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, the cricketing world has its eyes set on March 2027. The scheduled 150th Anniversary Test at the MCG—a pink-ball, day-night encounter—will honor the very first Test match played between these two nations in 1877. As England undergoes a “thorough review” of their 2025-26 shortcomings, that historic one-off match offers a prime opportunity for redemption on the world’s most iconic stage.

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