SYDNEY — The dust has settled on another home Ashes triumph, the urn secured with a commanding 4-1 series victory. For the players and the Australian public, it’s a moment to savour. But in the mind of a champion, the job is never truly finished. For me, looking at this formidable Australian team, the mission is clear: the next frontier, the ultimate goal, must be to win an Ashes series in England. It’s a feat we haven’t accomplished since 2001, a 26-year drought that looms large over this generation of players.
The 2023 tour in England was a missed opportunity. A 2-2 draw retained the Ashes, but it felt like a series that got away. With key players like Nathan Lyon injured and moments of fortune favouring England, it was a campaign of what-ifs. Now, with the next tour scheduled for the northern summer of 2027, the planning and the mindset must start today. Winning at home is expected; winning in England is what etches a team’s name into legend.
The Weight of History and the English Challenge
England remains the final, and most significant, hurdle for this Australian side to claim a legacy of true dominance. Think of the great Australian teams of the past – the eras of Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting, and even my own – their credentials were cemented by victories on English soil. The conditions are alien, the crowd is relentlessly partisan, and the Dukes ball behaves differently. It’s a complete examination of a team’s skill, temperament, and adaptability. As I’ve said before, "You haven't really won the Ashes until you've won them in England."
The 2027 series will present a unique set of challenges. England’s ‘Bazball’ approach under Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes is a known quantity now, but it will be refined and potentially even more aggressive on home soil. Furthermore, by 2027, England’s rebuilding phase will likely be complete. We can expect a batting lineup built around the prodigious Harry Brook, a pace attack potentially led by the returning Jofra Archer, and a spin department they will be desperate to strengthen.
Building the 2027 Ashes-Winning Squad
Pat Cummins’s leadership has been outstanding, and by 2027, he will be a seasoned captain with immense experience. The core of the current side – players like Cummins himself, Mitchell Starc (if he chooses to continue), Travis Head, and Cameron Green – will be in their early-to-mid 30s, theoretically at the peak of their powers. However, the real intrigue lies in the succession planning that must occur between now and then. The focus areas are clear:
- Opening Partnership: Who replaces David Warner permanently? The search for a long-term partner for Usman Khawaja, and then Khawaja’s own successor, is paramount. Candidates like Cameron Bancroft, Marcus Harris, and younger players like Will Pucovski (fitness permitting) will be vying, but consistency is key.
- The Spin Conundrum: Nathan Lyon will be 39 by the 2027 tour. His longevity is remarkable, but Australia must develop a world-class spin option who can bowl long, controlling spells and take wickets on English pitches that may not offer extravagant turn. Todd Murphy is the heir apparent, but he needs to be blooded extensively in all conditions before then.
- Pace Battery Depth: The current trio of Cummins, Starc, and Josh Hazlewood is legendary, but time is undefeated. The emergence of Lance Morris, the continued development of Jhye Richardson, and the rise of a next-generation quick are essential to maintain the relentless pressure Australia is known for.
Tactical Evolution for English Conditions
Winning in England requires a subtle shift in philosophy. The Kookaburra ball in Australia offers a shorter period of swing, encouraging aggressive, full-length bowling to hunt for edges. In England, with the Dukes ball that can swing for longer periods, patience and consistency are the currencies of success. Bowling a tighter line, building pressure, and exploiting the Lord’s slope or the Manchester moisture are skills that need honing. As I learned over my tours, "In England, it's about building pressure over after over, not just hunting for wickets every ball."
Batting, too, requires adjustment. The ball moves more, and cloud cover can be a bowler’s best friend. The flashy drive through cover that brings four in Brisbane can bring a thick edge to slip at Trent Bridge. The Australian top order, while brilliantly aggressive, must master the art of leaving the ball and playing late. They must be prepared to grind through sessions, something they did superbly at times during the 2023 series, but will need to do for an entire five-Test series to win.
The County Cricket Crucible
One historical advantage for Australian touring parties has been the presence of players with County Championship experience. Understanding the pitches, the light, and the rhythm of the English season is invaluable. Cricket Australia should actively encourage and facilitate its next generation of Test hopefuls to play county cricket in the years leading up to the 2027 tour. There is no better apprenticeship for an Ashes campaign than spending a summer bowling at Chelmsford or batting at Worcester. It demystifies the challenge.
The Psychological Mountain to Climb
Beyond technique and tactics, the mental aspect is colossal. English crowds, especially with the momentum of ‘Bazball’, can be incredibly energising for the home side. Australian teams must be prepared for momentum to swing wildly within a session. They must also carry the weight of that 26-year history. Every drawn Test, every rain-affected day, will bring the narrative of the drought flooding back. Building a squad with the mental resilience to ignore that noise, to focus on each session, will be a key task for the leadership group and team psychologists.
The current team has shown immense character, winning the World Test Championship, retaining the Ashes in England, and now dominating at home. They have all the ingredients. But to transition from a great team to an all-time great team, they need that crowning achievement. Pat Cummins captured the sentiment perfectly after the recent series win, hinting at the future: "This group has achieved a lot, but we know the final piece of the puzzle is winning overseas, especially in England. That’s the drive for us now."
Conclusion: The Long Road to 2027
The 4-1 scoreline from the 2023-24 Ashes is flattering and confirms Australia’s strength at home. But it should be viewed not as an endpoint, but as a launchpad. The three-year countdown to the next English tour has already begun. Every Sheffield Shield match, every Test series in intervening years against the likes of India and Pakistan, should be viewed as a stepping stone towards building the perfect squad for English conditions. The goal is singular and clear.
For Australian cricket, the dream is to walk out at The Oval in August 2027, having conquered the final frontier. To finally bury the statistic that has lingered for over two decades. It will require meticulous planning, brave selection, and unwavering belief. The talent is undeniable. If this group can add that elusive away Ashes victory to their resume, they will not just have won the urn; they will have secured a legacy that stands among the very best to have ever played the game.