Australia outclassed England to retain the Ashes and won the series 4-1 in the 2025-26 Ashes. Travis Head was the top-scorer in the series with 628 runs, while Mitchell Starc (31) took the most wickets in Ashes 2025-26.

Mitchell Starc had an Ashes series for the ages ✨ pic.twitter.com/FPACcX9zoW

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) January 8, 2026

After the series, Australia are leading the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 standings with seven wins in eight games and 84 points. Meanwhile, England is seventh with only three victories in 10 matches. On that note, let’s take a detailed look at the finest bowlers in the series and how they contributed to their respective teams.

Reviewing the Bowlers with the Most Wickets in Ashes 2025-26

1. Mitchell Starc – 31 Wickets

The decision to retire from T20Is paid dividends for Mitchell Starc, as he produced his finest-ever Test series tally. He scalped 31 wickets in five games at an average of 19.93 and was the series’ top bowler.

35-year-old Mitchell Starc owned this Ashes series 💫

💪 Played all 5 Tests on the bounce
🏆 2 POTM awards
🎯 31 Wickets
🌟 2 Fifties with the bat
🏅 Player of the Series#AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/0DGnPPeWuv

— Sport360° (@Sport360) January 8, 2026

Starc kicked off the series with his career-best innings figures of 7/58 in Perth and then picked up 6/75 in Brisbane. The rest of the games saw him continue his good form and pose resistance to the English batters.

Related Article：Ashes 2025-26：Mitchell Starc Clinches Ashes Player of the Series Glory

With 31, Mitchell Starc in this Ashes is the first to bag 30-plus wickets in an Ashes series since Mitchell Johnson’s 37 in 2013-14 ⚡ 🤝 pic.twitter.com/dzZbo0jtSU

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) January 9, 2026

Starc became only the fifth bowler in the 21st century to take over 30 wickets in the Ashes and the first one since Mitchell Johnson (37) in 2013-14. He also leveled with Sri Lanka’s Rangana Herath for picking the most wickets (433) among left-arm bowlers in the longest format.

Just about everyone fell to Mitchell Starc in the #Ashes 🔥 pic.twitter.com/UcleU9MykG

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 9, 2026

Interestingly, the left-arm pacer got rid of 14 out of 15 England players throughout the series. The most (five) dismissals were of Ben Duckett and Ben Stokes, followed by Zak Crawley (4) and Joe Root (3). The only exception was Matthew Potts, who faced just a solitary ball from him.

31 wickets, a Compton–Miller Medal, and an Ashes win. Mitchell Starc can be proud of that 👏 pic.twitter.com/jzWAwrbqIe

— Cricket on TNT Sports (@cricketontnt) January 8, 2026

Mitchell Starc played a crucial role in putting England under pressure with his new-ball spell, as he prevailed over Duckett and Crawley, who are known to employ their positive intent to set a stable platform for the middle order. Meanwhile, he also contributed with the bat, scoring two fifties.

2. Brydon Carse – 22 Wickets

The right-arm pacer, Brydon Carse, brought aggression and energy in his first-ever Ashes series. He was on the front with his bouncers and relentless pursuit to secure breakthroughs for the visitors. He put Australian batters into a spot of bother with his express pace and good-length balls.

Steve Smith = GONE! ❌

Brydon Carse with a 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 wicket!

🇦🇺 3️⃣0️⃣-3️⃣ pic.twitter.com/j7scOAkqlu

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) November 21, 2025

Carse ranks second among bowlers with the most wickets in Ashes 2025-26. He bagged 22 wickets in nine innings at an average of 30.31. His best figures of 4/34 came during the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, which eventually resulted in England winning their only game in the series.

Brydon Carse – Only England fast bowler to play all the 5 matches in Ashes 2025-6 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 pic.twitter.com/lwpLqW5Qzy

— ORANGE ARMY (@SUNRISERSU) January 5, 2026

Brydon Carse bowled the most overs (138.4) for England, depicting his fitness and the trust of the captain, Ben Stokes, in his abilities. He was also involved in tense moments with Australian batters like Marnus Labuschagne and Jake Weatherald, adding a different flavor to the series.

3. Scott Boland – 20 Wickets

In the absence of Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins (who played only one game), Scott Boland had to step up and support Mitchell Starc, who was breathing fire at the other end.

The loudest cheers of the day came for Scott Boland in this dramatic final over 🔥 #Ashes pic.twitter.com/c77EnW7iGQ

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 26, 2025

In five games, Boland scalped 20 wickets at an average of 24.95. His best figures of 4/33 came during the opening Test in Perth, which played a key role in Australia’s easy victory.

WHAT ON EARTH IS HAPPENING.

SCOTT BOLAND HAS SIX WICKETS IN 21 BALLS.#Ashes pic.twitter.com/gpNybum7x4

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 28, 2021

Scott Boland’s specialty is his precise line length, and he continues to challenge batters by bowling in the area of uncertainty. Hence, he has the maximum chance of inducing an edge for the batters compared to other bowlers.

4. Josh Tongue – 18 Wickets

Although the right-arm pacer, Josh Tongue, was a part of England’s XI from the third Test, he inflicted significant damage on the Australian batting line-up. He ranks fourth on the list of bowlers with the most wickets in Ashes 2025-26.

Josh Tongue becomes the first England bowler to take a five-for in a men’s Test at the MCG since Dean Headley in 1998 🙌🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 pic.twitter.com/WPMyi6Pam6

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) December 26, 2025

Tongue scalped 18 wickets in three games at an average of 20.11. He finished with career-best innings figures of 5/45 during the Boxing Day Test at MCG. The highlight of his performance was when he went through the gates of the Australian captain, Steve Smith, who looked puzzled after the dismissal. He finished the series on a good note, picking a total of six wickets in Sydney.

In five innings this series, Josh Tongue has 15 wickets at an average of 21.@copes9 and @stuartbroad8 take a deep dive into his strengths and roles he should be playing in England’s teams from here #Ashes pic.twitter.com/deqwt5TOd3

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 7, 2026

Having the ability to swing the ball both ways, Josh Tongue has been successful in getting past the defense of the opposition batters with his in-swingers. With appropriate pace and high-arm action, he could be a long-term asset for England.