Create Your Ultimate Ashes XI: Who Makes the Cut?

04 Jan,2026

2 days ago

Create Your Ultimate Ashes XI: Who Makes the Cut?

Australia have retained the Ashes and lead England 3-1 heading into the fifth Test, but who makes your combined team of the series? Players from both sides have impressed so we want to know who you would put into an XI.

We've split the side into four categories: openers, middle order (including all-rounders), wicketkeeper and bowlers. We've given you all the stats, up to and including the day of publication (4 January), to help you make your decision. The results will be revealed on the BBC Sport website, The Ashes Debrief and on the TMS podcast later in the Test.

Pick two of the players in the vote below to be your openers.

  • Jake Weatherald: Innings: eight, runs: 146, average: 20.85, centuries: none
  • Travis Head: Innings: eight, runs: 437, average: 54.62, centuries: two
  • Zak Crawley: Innings: nine, runs: 272, average: 30.22, centuries: none
  • Ben Duckett: Innings: nine, runs: 160, average: 17.77, centuries: none

Select four of the players in the vote below to fulfil slots three to six in your team.

  • Usman Khawaja: Innings: five, runs: 153, average: 30.60, centuries: none
  • Marnus Labuschagne: Innings: eight, runs: 174, average: 24.85, centuries: none
  • Steve Smith: Innings: six, runs: 136, average: 45.33, centuries: none
  • Cameron Green: Innings: six, runs: 112, average: 18.66; wickets: three, average: 71.66
  • Josh Inglis: Innings: three, runs: 65, average: 21.66, centuries: none
  • Ollie Pope: Innings: six, runs: 125, average: 20.83, centuries: none
  • Joe Root: Innings: nine, runs: 306, average: 43.71, centuries: one
  • Harry Brook: Innings: nine, runs: 310, average: 44.28, centuries: none
  • Ben Stokes: Innings: eight, runs: 183, average: 22.87, wickets: 13, average: 21.69
  • Will Jacks: Innings: five, runs: 118, average: 23.60, wickets: four, average: 61.50
  • Jacob Bethell: Innings: three, runs: 51, average: 17, centuries: none

Select one of the players in the vote below to fulfil slot seven in your team.

  • Alex Carey: Innings: six, runs: 291, average: 48.50, dismissals: 25
  • Jamie Smith: Innings: eight, runs: 139, average: 19.85, dismissals: 13

Select four of the players in the vote below to fulfil slots eight to 11 in your team.

  • Mitchell Starc: Matches: five, wickets: 27, average: 18.74, strike-rate: 27.51; runs: 151
  • Scott Boland: Matches: five, wickets: 17, average: 24.47, strike-rate: 43
  • Pat Cummins: Matches: one, wickets: six, average: 19.50, strike-rate: 34
  • Brendan Doggett: Matches: two, wickets: seven, average: 30.71, strike-rate: 41.42
  • Michael Neser: Matches: three, wickets: 11, average: 20, strike-rate: 31.81
  • Nathan Lyon: Matches: two, wickets: five, average: 31.40, strike-rate: 66
  • Jhye Richardson: Matches: one, wickets: two, average: 15, strike-rate: 28
  • Jofra Archer: Matches: three, wickets: nine, average: 27.11, strike-rate: 53.33, runs: 102
  • Brydon Carse: Matches: five, wickets: 19, average: 25.57, strike-rate: 32.73
  • Gus Atkinson: Matches: three, wickets: six, average: 47.33, strike-rate: 73
  • Josh Tongue: Matches: three, wickets: 12, average: 18.58, strike-rate: 28.16
  • Mark Wood: Matches: one, wickets: none, average: N/A, strike-rate: N/A

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