Ashes 2025-26: key battles that could decide the urn’s next destination

Pat Cummins will likely want to have a say on whether Joe Root makes his first away Ashes century. Photograph: Lee Smith/Action Images/Reuters

Travis Head v Harry Brook

Before Bazball, there was Travis Head. He was the one playing on fast-forward during the 2021-22 Ashes, sprinting to 152 at the Gabba in a career-shifting innings. The southpaw has since slashed tons in two finals against India, excelled in challenging Australian conditions, and can break out of a lean patch with a chainsaw-wielding knock. Never mind his three consecutive single-figure scores during Australia’s 3-1 win over India a year ago. He’d already hit consecutive hundreds to turn the direction of the series.