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📻 IMPORTANT AUCKLAND UPDATE 📻
Who has enhanced their legacy following this Ashes series?
Nicholas Quinlan • January 8th, 2026 9:39 pm
The Ashes cauldron is often when players from either Australia or England are able to enhance their standing within the sport following some exceptional performances.
Whether it be Kevin Pietersen in the 2005 Ashes or Mitchell Johnson in 2013/14, these series often lead to lasting effects for better or for worse on those who play in them.
And in the 2025/26 edition of cricket’s greatest rivalry, there have been plenty of players who have improved their standing, at least according to Adam Collins and Simon Katich.
For the former Australian opener, it was hard to look past Travis Head after moving up the order to the No.1 spot.
Following a whirlwind 69-ball century to win Australia the First Test, the South Australian has remained as the series highest run scorer, having finished on 629 runs for the series.
“There were people questioning, 'Is this the right role for him?' Given he’s been so dominant at five." Katich explained on SEN Cricket.
“But he’s transformed this top order for Australia because a number of them (Australian batters) have benefited (from it).
And despite playing one Test in the series, Katich also thought that all-rounder Beau Webster was able to further solidify his standing as one of Australia’s most consistent players with bat and ball.
“Beau Webster off the back of not playing and then reconfirming why he was given the opportunity last summer.
“And with one opportunity, he nails it with both bat and ball.”
But the majority of those legacy improvers would come from Australia’s bowling unit, with Scott Boland, Michael Neser and Compton-Miller Medallist Mitchell Starc all receiving praise from both Katich and Collins.
Collins: “Scott Boland, I mean, his numbers won’t be as exceptional or as excessive in terms of what we’ve seen over the course of the career he has enjoyed."
“But the way he’s bowled (this series).
Katich: “The fact he’s played all five Tests.”
Collins: “Michael Neser, whose career was potentially over."
"He’s played three Test matches, not sure what his average will be with the ball at the end of it, but it will have a one in front of it, not a two.”
Katich: “And the fact he’s played red-ball Tests and consecutively too, I think that has enhanced his reputation.”
Katich: “The other one you could argue is Mitchell Starc.”
“Because he’s done it without his partners in crime, the big four.”
Collins: “How have we missed Starc in all this, given he’s always been seen as a fantastic fast bowler.
“But you’re dead right. 31 wickets (for the series), he’s risen to No. 2 in the world as of those ICC rankings. Never better on that front.”
Collins would also argue that Steve Smith has managed to enhance his reputation, too, considering what he has done in the absence of full-time captain Pat Cummins.
Collins: “Not necessarily because he has had an enormous series.”
“But when you look at it in context…(in) four Tests where he has led the Aussie team, three of them wins and the two wins when it really mattered at the very start of the season in Perth and under the lights at the Gabba.”
“And then having only been dismissed three times until he rocked up here, then making 150+ in the first innings in Sydney.
“So, Steve Smith for the broader contribution.”
Katich would then add Alex Carey to the list with his contribution of 323 runs and 28 dismissals.
But it hasn’t just been Australian players who have added to the reputation.
Following his best innings to date for England, the former Australian opener felt that Jacob Bethell’s maiden Test hundred showed how special a talent he can be for the visitors.
“I think Jacob Bethell is a standout (for England),” he continued.
“He’s a young man and his first Test hundred. Yes, it was a Test hundred, but the way he did it. That has what made it special because it was under pressure, on a fourth day wicket, against a very good attack, and he went through all the challenges.”
England’s other centurion on the tour, Joe Root, who has finally scored a red ball and pink ball hundred Down Under, was also considered by Collins and Katich to add to his stature.
Collins: “Two hundreds over here, I mean it’s a big pass mark on that front, it’s a big tick on that front.”
Katich: “I think he has enhanced it, particularly playing here in Australia.
“He had struggled here previously, so two hundreds and the way he’s done it, super impressive.”
The two men would also note Josh Tongue as another Englishman to have improved his standing.
The pace bowler managed an average of 20.11, helping him become England’s second-highest wicket taker (18) in just three Tests.
With the Ashes now being finished up till at least 2027, both sides won’t feature in the red ball format until at least June.
Australia’s next Test won’t be until August when they play Bangladesh in Darwin and Mackay.
While England’s next Test series comes on home soil against New Zealand in June.
