Deeply disappointing: ECB launches Ashes review after 4-1 defeat against Australia
The England and Wales Cricket Board has launched a detailed review after England's 1–4 Ashes defeat in Australia. The Three Lions managed to win just one Test match during the tour.
New Delhi: The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has launched a thorough review of their disappointing campaign in the Ashes 2025–26 against Australia. The Three Lions suffered a 1–4 defeat in the five-match Ashes series, which resulted in England’s fourth consecutive Test series loss on Australian soil.
The ECB has acknowledged the team's disappointing performance, with chief executive Richard Gould admitting the side fell short of their ambitions of winning the Ashes series in Australia.
"While there were moments of strong performance and resilience during the series, including a hard-fought victory in the fourth Test in Melbourne, we were not consistent enough across all conditions and phases of the contest, and Australia ultimately deserved to retain the Ashes," Gould said in the statement.
He further added that the team will take lessons from this tour and will improve quickly. Gould further added that the ECB's focus is now shifted to regaining the Ashes in 2027.
"A thorough review of the campaign is already underway. This will cover tour planning and preparation, individual performance and behaviours, and our ability to adapt and respond effectively as circumstances require," he added.
England slipped to seventh position in WTC standings
The visitors managed to end a long drought of registering a Test victory in Australia by winning the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, but they failed to capitalise on important phases throughout the series and suffered yet another Ashes defeat.
England have won 26 Test matches out of the 46 under head coach Brendon McCullum. Captain Stokes and McCullum had a winning percentage of 56.52 per cent, which is a big improvement compared to the previous leadership under Joe Root, who led England to 27 Test victories in 64 matches.
England are currently placed in seventh position in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings for the ongoing 2025–27 cycle. After the Ashes, the Three Lions will host New Zealand and Pakistan for three Test matches each, before touring to South Africa and Bangladesh. Ben Stokes and Co. have also failed to qualify for the WTC final in the last three editions.