The end of the cricket season is nigh and the past month has rounded off a packed cricketing summer. England have been busy, with white-ball clashes against South Africa that were hampered by the rain. 

Elsewhere, we’ve also seen the conclusion of the T20 Vitality Blast and The Hundred. There’s plenty more to come, with The Ashes in Australia to look forward to this winter, as well as heaps of cricket action in 2026.  

England smash records for six against South Africa 

After a jam-packed summer of cricket that saw white-ball battles against the West Indies and a thrilling Test against India, the action continued into September as England welcomed South Africa for an ODI and T20 series. 

Despite anticipation of a close encounter, the ODIs were over before the third match had even begun. South Africa claimed a comfortable seven-wicket win in the opener at Headingley, before edging a tight contest at Lord’s by just five runs to seal the series. 

Yet with only pride on the line in the third match at the Rose Bowl, England produced one of their most remarkable performances in recent memory. They demolished South Africa as they recorded the highest-ever winning margin in ODI history, blasting a formidable 414/5 before bowling their opponents out for just 72. 

While that record-breaking looked to have set up the T20 series nicely, the classic British weather soon took centre stage and the series ended up being a bit of a damp squib, no pun intended.  

South Africa went 1-0 up after winning a rain-affected first game by 14 runs under the DLS method. England roared back in Manchester, securing their highest-ever T20 total as they smashed 304/2 and won by 146 runs. But the decider never even got started and was abandoned without a ball bowled, leaving the series locked at 1-1. 

The Hundred and T20 Blast end in style 

Domestically, the past few weeks have seen the conclusion of both the T20 Vitality Blast and The Hundred. In the Blast, Somerset secured a record-equalling third title with a dramatic win over Hampshire Hawks in the final at Edgbaston. Hampshire set a testing target of 194, but the champions chased it down to win by six wickets thanks to Will Smeed’s superb 94. 

Meanwhile in The Hundred, Oval Invincibles completed a historic three-peat, beating Trent Rockets by 26 runs in the men’s final. Dominant throughout the competition, they won six of their eight group games on their way to a third straight title. 

On the women’s side, Northern Superchargers claimed the trophy for the first time. They overcame 2024 champions London Spirit in the eliminator before defeating Southern Brave in the final. Phoebe Litchfield was the star of the tournament, topping the run-scoring charts with 292, while teammate Davina Perrin finished third.  

Looking ahead to The Ashes 

Winter is on the horizon and while that may bring dark nights and freezing temperatures, it also means one thing – it’s nearly time for The Ashes. England head down under in November as they look to reclaim the famous urn on Australian soil for the first time since 2010–11. 

Australia have traditionally had the upper hand at home, but this England side under Brendon McCullum are a different beast and the former New Zealand international will be extra motivated to get one over on the Aussies. 

If key players such as Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes can stay fit, anything is possible, particularly with Joe Root in the form of his life. The former captain became the second-highest run scorer in Test history during the summer, and with Sachin Tendulkar’s all-time record now in his sights, he’ll be desperate to fire England to a famous victory. 

2025/26 Ashes dates 

First Test: 21st to 25th November, 2025 – Perth Stadium, Perth 

Second Test: 4th to 8th December, 2025 – The Gabba, Brisbane 

Third Test: 17th to 21st December, 2025 – Adelaide Oval, Adelaide 

Fourth Test: 26th to 30th December, 2025 – Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne 

Fifth Test: 4th to 8th January, 2026 – Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney  

Join us for a summer of cricket in 2026 

With the final Ashes Test concluding in early January, England’s players will have a few months to recuperate before another thrilling summer of cricket gets underway. There’s plenty to look forward to in 2026, with white-ball action coming up, as well as Test matches against New Zealand and Pakistan. 

We’re offering premium hospitality for all of England’s matches next summer, giving you the chance to enjoy the action from the best seats in the house. Enquire today to reserve your place. 

England v New Zealand Test series 

Lord’s – Thursday 4th to Monday 8th June, 2026 

Kia Oval – Wednesday 17th to Sunday 21st June, 2026 

Trent Bridge – Thursday 25th to Monday 29th June, 2026 

England v India T20 series 

Banks Homes Riverside – Wednesday 1st July, 2026 

Emirates Old Trafford  – Saturday 4th July, 2026 

Trent Bridge – Tuesday 7th July, 2026 

Bristol County Ground – Thursday 9th July, 2026 

Utilita Bowl – Saturday 11th July, 2026 

England v India ODI series 

Edgbaston – Tuesday 14th July, 2026 

Sophia Gardens – Thursday 16th July, 2026 

Lord’s – Sunday 19th July, 2026 

England v Pakistan Test series 

Headingley – Wednesday 19th to Sunday 23rd August, 2026 

Lord’s – Thursday 27th to Monday 31st August, 2026 

Edgbaston – Wednesday 9th to Sunday 13th September, 2026 

England v Sri Lanka T20 series 

Utilita Bowl – Tuesday 15th September, 2026 

Sophia Gardens – Thursday 17th September, 2026 

Emirates Old Trafford – Saturday 19th September, 2026 

England v Sri Lanka ODI series 

Banks Homes Riverside – Tuesday 22nd September, 2026 

Headingley – Thursday 24th September, 2026 

Kia Oval – Sunday 27th September, 2026