Steve Smith vs Archer, Stokes vs Starc! 5 biggest player battles for Ashes 2025-26

Player battles to watch out in Ashes 2025-26 [Source: AFP Photos]

The Ashes is set to make its return through the 2025-26 edition with its familiar spark of hostility and high-stakes cricket that promises another clash fuelled by pride and pressure. Beyond the team duel would lie a series of intriguing one-on-one player battles that could very well shape the entire contest.

Over the course of the rivalry’s near 150-year history, the Ashes have rarely hinged on team strength alone; it often boils down to a moment where individual brilliances have disrupted rhythm and momentum. Across five heated Tests, a single spell or a counterattacking batting blitz could flip narratives in a heartbeat.

Ahead of the 2025-26 Ashes series, here are certain match-ups that might stand out as potential turning points for both sides.

1. Steve Smith vs Jofra Archer

The last time Jofra Archer was part of the England team for an Ashes series, Steve Smith drew up 774 runs in just seven innings at a staggering average of 110.57, doing so back during the 2019 edition in England. The legendary Australian batter extracted 94 of those runs without a single dismissal against Archer, a World Cup-winning young fast bowler who was playing his first Test series.

While Smith dominated the scoreboard, Archer claimed the psychological edge by flooring the rampaging batter with a vicious bouncer. The blow was so severe that Smith was ruled out of the remainder of the Lord’s Test, and even missed the follow-up in Leeds.

In a battle between hardened experience and raw pace, it will be fascinating to see what Steve Smith vs Jofra Archer 2.0 holds in store for fans in the upcoming 2025-26 Ashes series.

2. Joe Root vs Josh Hazlewood

Statistically, Joe Root is England’s greatest-ever Test batter by a landslide, having minted 13,543 runs in 288 innings at a surreal average of 51.29. However, that number drops sharply to just 35.68 in Test matches played in Australia. Josh Hazlewood, meanwhile, appears to have Root on a string, having dismissed the English stalwart 10 times in Test cricket alone.

Hazlewood might well fancy himself once more against Joe Root, who also happens to be chasing his first Test century in Australia on possibly in his final Ashes tour ‘Down Under’.

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3. Marnus Labuschagne vs Mark Wood

England fast bowler Mark Wood has held the upper hand over Marnus Labuschagne so far across all their Test faceoffs. Labuschagne, who averages 46.19 in Tests and scores his runs at a strike rate of 51.67, averages just 16.2 off Wood at a strike rate of 39.7. Moreover, the English paceman has knocked over the Australian batter five times already in their limited appearances together.

Returning to the Test side for Australia after more than five months, Marnus Labuschagne has his task cut out against Wood’s hostility and relentless pace as he aims to justify his recall and secure a long-term place in Australia’s Test setup.

4. Ben Stokes vs Mitchell Starc

England captain and one of the pioneers of his team’s ‘BazBall’ approach, Ben Stokes has often struggled to come to terms with the pace of legendary Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc. Starc has dismissed the seasoned England all-rounder 12 times in international cricket, including nine times in Tests alone with an exceptional average of just 20.7.

In previous two Ashes series of 2021-22 and 2023 itself, the Australian speed demon managed to remove Ben Stokes from the crease as many as six times. With pace, swing and a proven record; Mitchell Starc will once again aim to ruffle the English captain and dent the visitors’ Ashes prospects.

5. Travis Head vs Brydon Carse

For a change, firebrand Australian batter and express English paceman Brydon Carse have never crossed paths in Test cricket. However, the two cricketers did go up against each other quiet a number of times within the space of a single ODI series last year in England. While Head started off the series with a majestic 154*, he was dismissed thrice in the next four games by Carse, at an average of just 18.3.

With a penchant of troubling Travis Head, Brydon Carse remains England’s best bet in troubling the in-form Australian batter in the upcoming 2025-26 Ashes series.

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