Cricket This Week: Ashes Shock, India Stunned and Big Bash Shake-Up

Cricket’s final weeks of 2025 have arrived with drama on and off the field.

Australia crushed England in a two-day Ashes Test, South Africa humiliated India at home, and big money moves reshaped major leagues. 

Ashes opener: Perth pace, two-day finish and ICC verdict

The first Ashes Test in Perth ended inside two days, with Australia beating England by eight wickets.

Fast bowlers from both sides dominated, but a Travis Head century gave Australia a 1–0 lead in the five-Test series. 

Despite the brief match, the ICC rated the Perth Stadium pitch “very good”, praising its bounce, carry and balance between bat and ball. 

England fans were frustrated after buying tickets for later days, yet surplus food from unused days was donated to charities. 

England coach Brendon McCullum has ordered extra training before the day-night second Test in Brisbane.

Veteran seamer James Anderson expects England to stick with the same XI, while captain Pat Cummins is set to return from a back injury. 

India v South Africa: home dominance shattered

In India, South Africa completed a landmark 2–0 Test series win, their first Test series victory in India for 25 years.

They crushed India by 408 runs in Guwahati, after earlier winning the opening Test of the Freedom Trophy. 

South Africa piled up 489 and 260/5 declared, then bowled India out for 201 and 140.

Off-spinner Simon Harmer took 6–37 in the second innings and 17 wickets across the series, while Aiden Markram grabbed a record nine catches. 

India have now lost five of their last seven home Tests, prompting fierce criticism of coach Gautam Gambhir and his selections. 

Commentators say visiting teams are no longer afraid of Indian conditions, and that India’s batting has struggled badly against quality spin. 

The teams now move to a three-match ODI series, starting in Ranchi on 30 November.

India will hope a white-ball change restores confidence before a busy 2026 schedule. 

Big Bash and money: Cricket Australia eyes $600m

Off the field, Cricket Australia has launched an ambitious plan to partially privatise the Big Bash League.

It aims to sell a 49% stake in up to 10 BBL franchises, targeting around $600 million and valuing the competition at $1.2 billion. 

The strategy mirrors ownership models in the IPL and England’s Hundred and could include new teams in Canberra and Auckland.

CA is courting global investors, including Indian groups, as it tries to recover from COVID-era losses and an $11.3 million deficit in 2025. 

At the same time, players in England’s Hundred have been warned not to sign new IPL-style franchise deals yet.

The Professional Cricketers’ Association says proposed three-year contracts include a controversial 12-month release clause that could cap earnings and weaken job security. 

Short formats: Pakistan tri-series and WBBL11

On the T20 circuit, a men’s tri-series in Pakistan has reached its final stages in Rawalpindi.

Recent results show tight contests, including a five-run thriller where Sri Lanka defended 146 against Zimbabwe. 

Elsewhere, Bangladesh and Ireland have started a men’s T20I series, adding more fixtures to a packed pre-Christmas calendar. 

Women’s cricket also remains in focus, with Weber WBBL|11 heading towards its finals after a month of high-scoring games across Australia. 

These tournaments serve as preparation for next year’s global events and keep fringe players in selectors’ minds.

As a result, squads are rotating heavily, testing depth in both batting and bowling.

Outlook: busy summer and shifting power balance

Looking ahead, the Ashes continues in Brisbane next week, while South Africa and India switch to ODIs.

Pakistan’s tri-series wraps up as domestic T20 leagues push for attention and investment. 

This week underlined a shifting balance in Test cricket.

Australia look strong at home again, South Africa have broken India’s fortress, and player power is being tested by new franchise money and contract models. 

Featured image: AP

About The Author