The dust has finally settled on one of the most lopsided Ashes series in recent memory. Australia walked away with a dominant 4-1 victory, leaving Ben Stokes and his "Bazball" brigade with more questions than answers. But beyond the bragging rights of the urn, this series has effectively turned the World Test Championship (WTC) standings into Australia’s personal fortress.
The Starc-Head Show
If you watched the final Test in Sydney, you saw a team at the absolute peak of its powers. Mitchell Starc was a force of nature, finishing the series as Player of the Tournament and officially passing Wasim Akram to become the most successful left-arm fast bowler in Test history.
On the batting front, Travis Head was simply untouchable. His 629 runs throughout the summer—including that blistering 170 in Adelaide—reminded everyone why he’s currently the most feared middle-order batter in the world.
A 100% Pursuit
With this win, Australia’s WTC points percentage (PCT) has skyrocketed to a staggering 87.50%. To put that in perspective, they’ve won seven out of their eight matches in this cycle. While England managed a gritty four-wicket win at the MCG to avoid a total whitewash, the gap between Australia and the rest of the world feels like a canyon right now.
Who is the Real Threat?
So, can anyone actually catch them before the 2027 Final at Lord’s?
- South Africa: As the defending WTC champions (having beaten Australia in last June's final), the Proteas remain the biggest psychological hurdle for Pat Cummins' men.
- New Zealand: Sitting in second place with a PCT of 77.78%, the Black Caps are quietly putting together a clinical run.
- India: Surprisingly, India has slumped to 6th place. They’ll need a massive turnaround in their upcoming home season to even stay in the hunt.
Australia looks unstoppable, but as the 2025 final proved, being the best in the league doesn't always mean you lift the mace. For now, though, the fortress is well and truly guarded.