The 2023 Ashes delivered drama, emotion and high-quality cricket — a series that began with a four and ended with a farewell. England and Australia shared the honours 2-2 across five Tests packed with fiery pace, heated debate over the “spirit of cricket,” late declarations, rain interruptions and Stuart Broad’s Hollywood exit. With the next series headed to Australia, here’s a concise look back at how 2023 played out.
First Test — Edgbaston: Australia won by two wickets
The series got off to an explosive start when Zak Crawley swung Pat Cummins’ first ball for four. England piled up 393-8 after Ben Stokes surprised many by declaring late on day one, following Joe Root’s fourth Ashes century. England’s declaration created tense periods but ultimately wasn’t decisive. Fielding lapses hurt England: Broad bowled Usman Khawaja off a no-ball before Khawaja went on to make 141, and Stokes spilled an acrobatic chance at Lyon. Australia steadied through the death, and Pat Cummins held his nerve with an unbeaten 55 to steer Australia from 227-8 to a narrow two-wicket win alongside Nathan Lyon.
Second Test — Lord’s: Australia won by 43 runs
Lord’s produced the series’ most talked-about moment when Alex Carey stumped Jonny Bairstow after Bairstow had left his crease, sparking outrage among some players and members and resulting in three MCC suspensions. The incident dominated headlines, but the cricket itself was keenly contested: England’s aggressive short-ball tactics backfired as they tumbled from 188-1 and conceded a first-innings lead of 91. Nathan Lyon, despite a calf problem, came out to bat stubbornly in the second innings to buy time, and Ben Stokes’ fighting 155 on day five ultimately wasn’t enough as Josh Hazlewood claimed a crucial wicket and Australia held on.
Third Test — Headingley: England won by three wickets
With the series slipping away, England recalled Mark Wood and Chris Woakes. Wood produced terrifying pace — touching more than 95mph — and claimed a five-for; he then contributed quick runs late in the innings (24 off eight) to help England recover from 87-5 to 237. Woakes took six in the match and added vital resistance with the bat. Chasing 251, England were 171-6 before Harry Brook’s 75 and a composed lower-order finish led by Woakes (32*) and Wood (16*) completed a three-wicket chase and kept England in the series.
Fourth Test — Emirates Old Trafford: Match drawn
A dominant England performance was curtailed by weather as rain washed out the final day at Old Trafford. Australia were 214-5 in their second innings, still 61 behind, when play was abandoned. Marnus Labuschagne’s second-innings century shone for the visitors. For England, Woakes again impressed with a first-innings five-for, Wood’s raw pace caused trouble, Zak Crawley blazed 189 off 182, and Jonny Bairstow answered critics with an unbeaten 99 as England amassed 592 in 108 overs.
Fifth Test — The Kia Oval: England won by 49 runs (series drawn 2-2)
The finale belonged to Stuart Broad. Having announced his retirement, Broad received an Australian guard of honour and produced a storybook finish. England set Australia 384, and at 264-3 on the final afternoon a half-century from Steve Smith left Australia well placed. A dramatic collapse followed: Chris Woakes and Moeen Ali combined for four wickets in four overs to swing momentum, and Broad sealed victory with two late strikes, the final one dismissing Alex Carey for Broad’s 604th Test wicket. England won by 49 runs, and Broad signed off among the game’s greats.
Key themes and performances
– Ben Stokes: Leadership and big centuries kept England in contention throughout the series.
– Chris Woakes: Match-winning bowling and valuable lower-order runs; a vital contributor in limited appearances.
– Mark Wood: Raw, intimidating pace and useful lower-order hitting when it mattered most.
– Jonny Bairstow: Influential with the bat but central to the Lord’s stumping controversy.
– Stuart Broad: A fitting, emotional farewell capped with a match-winning final performance and 604 Test wickets.
– Nathan Lyon and Alex Carey: Lyon’s brave batting with a calf issue and Carey’s stumping were pivotal moments that provoked strong reaction.
Looking ahead: Ashes in Australia 2025/26
All times UK and Ireland
– First Test: Friday November 21 – Tuesday November 25 (2.30am) – Optus Stadium, Perth
– Second Test (day/night): Thursday December 4 – Monday December 8 (4.30am) – The Gabba, Brisbane
– Third Test: Wednesday December 17 – Sunday December 21 (12am) – Adelaide Oval
– Fourth Test: Thursday December 25 – Monday December 29 (11.30pm) – Melbourne Cricket Ground
– Fifth Test: Sunday January 4 – Thursday January 8 (11.30pm) – Sydney Cricket Ground
The 2023 series combined high drama, controversy and top-class performances. If 2025/26 delivers anything similar, fans can expect another enthralling chapter in the oldest rivalry of the game.