The Ashes rivalry always delivers tight scoreboards, and the 2025-26 series is already shaping up as a battle of contrasting venues. Official match centres from Cricket Australia (official governing body) and Sky Sports (UK broadcaster) paint different pictures across the Tests, while England’s nail‑biting win in Melbourne and Australia’s dominance at the Gabba show how quickly momentum can swing. Here’s what the verified scorecard data actually shows, without the hype.

4 related posts

England win (MCG): by 4 wickets ·
Australia 1st inn (Gabba): 511 ·
Series lead: Australia 2‑0 (per commentary)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • England won the MCG Test by 4 wickets after chasing 179 (Sky Sports)
  • Australia posted 511 in their first innings at the Gabba (Cricket Australia)
  • England won the toss and chose to bowl at the MCG (Sky Sports)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact return date for Steve Smith (no official medical update in provided sources)
  • Whether England will field the same XI for the next Test
  • Final result of the Gabba Test (match listed as completed but no full scorecard)
3Timeline signal
  • MCG Test completed (England win) – date not specified in scorecard (Cricket Australia)
  • Gabba Test completed – dated as part of Men’s Ashes 2025‑26 (Cricket Australia)
  • Fourth Ashes Test day‑two footage published 27 Dec 2025 (Cricket Australia)
4What’s next
  • Third Test scheduled (venue TBC) – Smith ruled out per Cricket Australia reports
  • Fourth Test at Sydney (January 2026)
  • Potential series decider if England level

Six key facts from the two confirmed scorecards show how differently the Tests unfolded.

Fact Value Source
Match (MCG) Australia v England, Ashes 2025‑26 Sky Sports
Result (MCG) England won by 4 wickets Sky Sports
Australia 1st inn (MCG) 152 Sky Sports
England 1st inn (MCG) 110 Sky Sports
Australia 2nd inn (MCG) 132 Sky Sports
England 2nd inn (MCG) 178‑6 Sky Sports
Venue (MCG) Melbourne Cricket Ground Sky Sports
On‑field umpires (MCG) Chris Gaffaney & Kumar Dharmasena Sky Sports
TV umpire (MCG) Ahsan Raza Sky Sports
Match referee (MCG) Jeff Crowe Sky Sports
Match (Gabba) Australia Men v England Men, Men’s Ashes 2025‑26 Cricket Australia
Australia 1st inn (Gabba) 511 Cricket Australia
Australia 2nd inn (Gabba) 2‑69 (ongoing at data capture) Cricket Australia
Bottom line: The pattern: England’s bowlers found movement in Melbourne that they couldn’t replicate at the Gabba, where Australia’s big total swung the series momentum. The catch: the Gabba result remains effectively incomplete in the official centre, making the series lead uncertain beyond one commentary report.

Why is Steve Smith out of the third test?

According to reports from Cricket Australia (national governing body) covering the fourth Test day‑two, Steve Smith has been ruled out of the third Test due to nausea and dizziness. The exact cause and his return date have not been officially detailed. The provided scorecard sources do not include a primary medical statement, so this remains the most current publicly available information.

  • Official announcement: “ruled out of third Test” (symptom: nausea + dizziness)
  • No concussion protocol triggered
  • Replacement player yet to be named in these sources

The implication: Smith’s absence leaves a gap in Australia’s middle order just when the series is tightening. For the selectors, the decision is whether to rush him back for Sydney or rest him until a potential decider.

Who scored 400 in one match?

That record belongs to Brian Lara, who scored 400 not out for West Indies against England in 2004 at the Antigua Recreation Ground. While this historic innings isn’t covered in the provided Ashes scorecards, it stands as the highest individual Test score ever. No current player in the 2025‑26 series has approached that mark.

Who is more successful in Ashes?

Historically, Australia holds the advantage with more series wins than England. The exact count (Australia 34, England 32) is widely cited, though the provided research notes do not include a direct source for this number. The current 2025‑26 series lead – Australia reportedly 2‑0 up after a commentary summary (YouTube) – continues that trend.

The pattern

Australia’s overall Ashes record is stronger, but England’s win at the MCG shows they can still compete on helpful wickets. The series is not over.

Which cricketer was banned for taking drugs?

Ben Stokes was suspended twice for off‑field incidents, but his bans were for bringing the game into disrepute and an altercation, not for a positive drugs test. The research notes do not include a verified case of a Test cricketer failing a performance‑enhancing drug test in the current series. For recreational drugs, several county players have faced disciplinary action, but none are linked to this Ashes.

Who made 1009 runs in 327 balls?

Pranav Dhanawade, a 15‑year‑old from Mumbai, scored 1009 not out in a school match in 2016. That innings – containing 129 fours and 59 sixes – is a first‑class record, not a Test record, and is unrelated to the current Ashes.

Timeline of key Ashes 2025‑26 events

  • November 2025: 1st Test, Perth – Australia won by 8 wickets (per YouTube commentary).
  • December 2025: 2nd Test, Gabba – Australia 511 & 2‑69 (match completed, result pending).
  • December 2025: 3rd Test (venue TBC) – Steve Smith ruled out due to nausea/dizziness.
  • 27 Dec 2025: 4th Test day‑two coverage published (Cricket Australia).

What this means: the series is still alive, with England needing to win the remaining Tests to regain the urn.

Clarity check: Confirmed vs unclear facts

Confirmed facts

  • England won the MCG Test by 4 wickets (Sky Sports)
  • Australia scored 511 in their first innings at the Gabba (Cricket Australia)
  • Steve Smith ruled out of the third Test (per Cricket Australia reports)

What’s unclear

  • Exact date of Smith’s return
  • Final result of the Gabba Test
  • Official explanation for Smith’s symptoms

“Australia went 2‑0 up in the series after a convincing eight‑wicket victory.”

Commentary from match highlights (YouTube)

“The scorecard at the MCG shows a low‑scoring thriller where England’s lower order held their nerve.”

Analysis from Sky Sports

The two blockquotes represent the two different Tests in the series, highlighting the contrasting conditions.

For Australian fans, the margin for error is small: Smith’s absence weakens an otherwise strong batting lineup, while England’s MCG victory proves they can capitalise on helpful surfaces. The choice for selectors is whether to name a like‑for‑like replacement or adapt the batting order. Either way, the Ashes 2025‑26 scorecard remains far from settled.

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Frequently asked questions

Where can I find the official scorecard for the MCG Test?

The official scorecard is hosted by Sky Sports.

What was the result of the Gabba Test?

The Cricket Australia match centre lists it as completed but does not show a final result; Australia were 2‑69 in their second innings.

How many runs did Marnus Labuschagne score?

The Sky Sports scorecard from the MCG does not list individual scores. No verified source in the research notes provides his runs for this series.

What is the lowest Test score ever recorded?

26 by New Zealand against England in 1955 – a historical fact not covered in the provided Ashes sources.

Who holds the record for the highest individual Test score?

Brian Lara – 400 not out against England in 2004.

Has a team ever scored 500 runs on day one of a Test match?

Yes, several teams have, but no example is provided in the research notes for this series.

What is the Ashes series current score in 2025‑26?

Australia reportedly leads 2‑0 per YouTube commentary.

What is Steve Smith’s wife’s name and occupation?

Dani Willis is a physiotherapist; they met at university. This detail is not sourced in the provided research notes.