Australian players celebrate with the Ashes Waterford Crystal trophy after winning the Ashes series 4-1. The win not only sealed the series but also sent retiring opener Usman Khawaja out on a high in his final Test appearance.England’s defeat further dented their WTC hopes. Ben Stokes’ side slumped to their sixth loss in 10 matches, dragging their PCT down to 31.66. They remain seventh on the table, marginally ahead of Bangladesh and the West Indies, but crucially just below India.For India, the updated standings offer cautious encouragement. Shubman Gill’s side sit sixth with a PCT of 48.15, keeping them within striking distance of the top four as the cycle progresses.

Source: The Times January 08, 2026 16:49 UTC