ICC World Test Championship points table (updated) as of December 7 after AUS vs ENG 2025 2nd Test 

Australia continued their dominant march in the 2025-27 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle with their fifth successive win, and take a 2-0 lead in the 2025-26 Ashes series against England. The Men in Yellow emerged victorious by eight wickets on Day 4 of the day-night Test at The Gabba in Brisbane.

The Steve Smith-led side were firm favorites in the contest after amassing a massive first innings lead, and had England reduced to 134-6 in the second innings. Skipper Ben Stokes and all-rounder Will Jacks put on a brave fight by surviving the first session of the penultimate day, but the bowlers eventually came into the contest to have the final say.

Michael Neser bagged a fifer as the England tail could not put up a resistance, resulting in only a slender lead of 65 runs. Australia knocked off the runs with ease to claim a near-unassailable lead in the five-match affair.

England are already in a tricky spot in the WTC cycle (Image Credit: Getty)

Coming into the contest, Australia were at the top of the table with a PCT of 100, and they retain the spot on the back of yet another comprehensive win. They continue to maintain a firm lead over the second-placed South Africa in the points table.

England, on the other hand, who had begun their 2025-27 cycle with a drawn home series against India, now have two successive losses to their name. The string of defeats Down Under has affected their place in the WTC standings. Before the second Test, they were placed sixth in the table with a PCT of 36.11.

The loss in Brisbane worsens that figure to 30.95, reducing them to the seventh spot in the points table, marginally below New Zealand.

2025-26 Ashes Third Test will take place at the Adelaide Oval

England, still awaiting their first win on Australian soil since 2011, will now have to win all remaining matches in the series to reclaim the urn. The third Test of the 2025-26 Ashes will be held at the Adelaide Oval from Wednesday, December 17, onwards.

Star player Pat Cummins could potentially return to the side after a lengthy injury layoff, while England pacer Mark Wood is doubtful for the crucial do-or-die clash.