Spin bowling's decline marks the pace-dominated 2025 Ashes series between Australia and England
The 2025 Ashes series between Australia and England has been notably dominated by pace bowling, with spin largely absent from the contest. Nathan Lyon, Australia's second-highest Ashes wicket-taker and their sole specialist spinner this series, played only twice before a hamstring injury ruled him out of the Sydney Test. Currently on the path back from surgery, Lyon bowled the only 55 overs by a spinner in the series so far.
England's touring spinner Shoaib Bashir has also been sidelined, not featuring in Sydney or the first three Tests, leaving their spin plans unsettled. Will Jacks, an off-spinner, may be relied upon, and discussions continue around the potential return of Jack Leach as England's number one spinner.
The Ashes to date have seen 13 days of play spread across 20 days, with frequent absences of star quick bowlers, amid debate over the grass conditions on the Sydney Cricket Ground pitch. Spin bowling has been notably ineffective throughout the series, with a lack of high-quality spinner diminishing the contest's appeal. Steve Smith has suggested that spin bowling is easier to face on wickets that offer seam movement, which could lead teams to favor pace over spin to avoid conceding runs.
In Sydney, hopes for spin rest on Will Jacks for England and Australia's Todd Murphy, though neither spinner has yet produced a breakthrough at home. This situation raises broader questions about the future relevance of spin bowling in Australian Test cricket.
