England’s hopes in the Ashes 2025/26 have taken a severe hit after back-to-back eight-wicket losses left Ben Stokes’s side staring at the possibility of a whitewash. Following another difficult outing at the Gabba, the England power rankings have shifted dramatically, with major drops for Ollie Pope and Harry Brook.
England’s ranking drops after Gabba defeat- Ashes 2025/26
12) Mark Wood (Previous Rank: 9)
Returning after not having played a Test since August 2024, Wood just could not get into his rhythm to match the pace of England’s pace unit despite bowling at high speeds in the first innings. He bowled only three overs in the second and is now ruled out for the remainder of Ashes 2025/26, making the clouds of doubt over whether he would eventually play Test cricket again grow bigger.
11) Jamie Smith (Previous Rank: 7)
Smith had a wretched Test behind the stumps, culminating in an expensive drop of Travis Head. Alex Carey’s faultless keeping only brought further focus to Smith’s woes. He has looked equally ill at ease with the bat, falling to Scott Boland for a duck and later trying a brainless drive against Mitchell Starc under lights.
10) Ben Duckett (Previous Rank: 8)
Duckett got a golden duck in the first over at the Gabba and managed only brief starts in Perth. He was sent packing by a low-bouncer in his second innings but inconsistency clouds England’s opening pair heading deeper into the Ashes 2025/26.
9) Harry Brook (Previous Rank: 5)
It is hard to believe Brook’s outstanding half-century in Perth was little more than a fortnight ago. His aggression has again spilled into licentiousness never more so than when he drove on the up against Starc early in a new spell. Shot selection from the vice-captain is under serious question, with many supporters hoping for far greater responsibility from one of England’s most talented batters.
8) Ollie Pope (Previous Rank: 4)
After promising knocks in the first Test, Pope reverted to frenetic batting at the Gabba. His lack of composure continues to be a major issue. Mark Waugh summed it up best: he is “just a player,” when England need far more from their No.3 during the Ashes 2025/26.
7) Gus Atkinson (Previous Rank: 6)
So far, Atkinson has taken just three wickets, two of those in a totally pressure-free second innings situation at the Gabba. His dismissal – pulling directly to Steve Smith despite seven legside fielders stays in the running for one of the most avoidable errors of England’s tour.
6) Will Jacks (New Entry)
Jacks’ scores of 19 and 41 are modest, but they stand out given England’s wider collapse. Looked fluent in the second innings and took a brilliant catch to remove Steve Smith. He should stay in for Adelaide.
5) Brydon Carse (Previous Rank: 3)
Carse, with the prized scalp of Steve Smith early in the series, has collected eight wickets. Still, his inconsistency and a couple of expensive spells, which included giving away 95 runs in 12 overs at the Gabba, dotted his positive moments. His false-shot percentage, worryingly for a frontline bowler, remains low.
4) Zak Crawley (Previous Rank: 11)
Crawley has provided flashes of brilliance, top-scoring with 120 runs in Brisbane to offset that frustrating first Test. The way he gets out can often be foreseen, another caught-and-bowled here, but this has been one of his better Ashes returns, elevating his series average to 30.
3) Jofra Archer (Previous Rank: 1)
Archer may have been rested for Adelaide were it not for Wood’s withdrawal, but he is still England’s clear standout seamer. His three wickets don’t begin to convey the pressure he has exerted, compelling a high false-shot percentage from Australian batsmen. His spell of fire and brimstone at Steve Smith showed his combative streak, which is just what England need if they are to stay in this Ashes series 2025/26.
2) Ben Stokes (Previous Rank: 2)
Stokes’ leadership quote “a dressing room I am captain of is not a place for weak men” was seized on by the media in the aftermath of the Gabba defeat. He made a valuable 50 second time around and remains a formidable bowler, having taken wickets at an average under 20.
But England’s reckless batting methodology under the Bazball philosophy is under heavy examination now, and Stokes may have to use a much more robust, disciplined game 1)
1) Joe Root (Previous Rank: 10)
That century finally ended his long drought of hundreds in Australia. Root’s knock was a masterclass, despite criticism that Australia rested their frontline attack. His soft dismissal in the second innings was disappointing, but he remains the only batter consistently showing composure in the Ashes 2025/6.
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