Ashes Tips: Back Root & Stokes to step up in famous England win
England head down under looking for their first Ashes win on Australian soil since 2010/11.
They haven’t even won a Test match in Australia since that series – but that could well change this time around with Ben Stokes’s side impressing in a pulsating battle with India last summer.
Australia and the Ashes is a different proposition, of course, but England will be hoping to exploit a few weaknesses in their hosts as they prepare for five matches either side of Christmas.
Here, we look at the 2025/26 Ashes series and pick out three of the best bets before it starts in Perth on 21st November.
Tip 1 – Joe Root top England run scorer @ 2/1
Arguably England’s best-ever batsman, Joe Root hasn’t had things his way in Australia in the past.
Famously, he has never scored a century in the country, and was England captain for the last two series Down Under. England lost both 4-0 and the Yorkshireman hasn’t even been on the winning side for a Test match here. Played 14, lost 12, drawn two does not make for great reading.
Despite his lack of a century, though, he has 892 runs in those 14 Tests – admittedly, his average of 35.68 is the lowest in any country in which he has batted more than twice.
The then-captain was England’s top run scorer in the 2021/22 series with 322 runs and was far and away their best performer in the summer series against India.
The 2/1 for him to be the top run scorer for the travelling side is a realistic shout despite his historical weakness in the country.
England will hope he is at his best as they will need every bit of the man with 13,543 runs’ ability.
Tip 2 – Ben Stokes to score a century in the series @ 6/4
England captain Stokes will see this as a potentially defining series for him.
Like Root, his record in Australia does not make for good reading results-wise. He has 515 runs and one century, but his 28.61 average is somewhat short of his career Test average of over 35.
Stokes is aiming to be the first England captain to win a series (and a Test) in Australia for 14 years… and has a history of leading from the front.
His memorable, historic 135 not-out at Headingley led England to victory in 2019 and saved their series – they will be looking for similar inspiration here, though ideally not at nine wickets down.
His 120 in Perth in 2013 remains his sole century here, but he will know his performance with both bat and ball could be series-defining.
He’s 6/4 to hit a century in the series. With his character and his ability, this holds appeal.
It will probably be the 34-year-old’s final Ashes series Down Under, and Stokes can go out with a bang.
Tip 3 – England to win the Ashes @ 2/1
Winning in Australia is always a difficult task.
They are ranked number one in the world for a reason and the last three Ashes series here have shown just how hard it can be.
January 2011 was the last Test win in Australia for England and that is something Stokes and Brendan McCullum simply have to put right.
Australia might not be at their strongest but they have lost only one of their last 13 Test series at home – and that was against India.
They have weaknesses, though, none more so than Josh Hazelwood and Pat Cummins missing the first Test. In Cummins, Australia have lost a key cog in their bowling attack but crucially their captain.
The series won’t be won after one Test, but it feels vital for England. Get off to a win and they have every chance of riding the crest of the wave, even with the returning bowlers.
The visitors will be targeting the Aussie top order, with fit-again Jofra Archer and Mark Wood in tow and Stokes back to being an all-rounder.
England have weaknesses too; their spin department lacks proven quality but they have the overall talent to make history Down Under.
They must take advantage in Perth and need their big names to step up. What better time for Root to make his first ton in Australia?
Control will be crucial – everybody knows the ‘Bazball’ tendencies to lose cheap wickets and the bowling line-up can be less than economical at times.
Stokes and McCullum need everyone on their game and, if they are, the 2/1 for England to win the series and bring home the Ashes might just come off.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change
