Regardless of the sport and what is at stake, England v Australia sporting contests are always highly competitive and hard-fought.
In just the last month or so, the two nations have gone head-to-head in both rugby union and rugby league, the women’s T20 cricket World Cup, and on the football field. With two wins each, the honours have been shared.
Next up is the biggest battle of all, as the latest instalment of the Ashes started in Perth on 21 November 2025. Since the first test between the two countries in 1877, there has never been any sign of this rivalry slackening off.
With offices in both countries, there’s obviously a lot of rivalry and friendly banter between us! Furthermore, our geographic duality does mean that we’re well-placed to give you a unique financial planning angle on the event.
Here are six important lessons you can learn from an Ashes series.
1. Always have a plan
Both sides will have been planning for this series for some time, probably since the last one finished at the Oval in 2023.
They will use in-depth analysis, videos, and charts to put plans together that maximise their own skills and take advantage of any perceived weaknesses in the opposition.
When it comes to your financial future, having a plan gives you focus and helps you stay on track.
Once your outline plan is in place, you can refine it to adapt to your changing circumstances, in the same way teams and players will adjust their tactics during tests and the series as a whole.
2. Be prepared for an emergency
Even the best-prepared sides with detailed plans in place are likely to face unexpected challenges.
Players can get injured or lose form, so teams need contingency plans to cover such eventualities.
Indeed, Australia has already had to cope with two emergencies before the series even started, as both Pat Cummins and Josh Hazelwood are both going to miss at least one test through injury.
In the same way, you need to ensure that your financial plans are resilient enough to meet the cost of any unexpected financial demand, such as a household emergency or a substantial car maintenance bill.
Having an emergency fund in place will give you peace of mind and prevent you from having to resort to expensive, unsecured borrowing.
3. Maintain the right balance of aggression and defence
While the England approach to test cricket – commonly referred to as “Bazball” – is very much about aggression, there will be times when they will need to adopt a more circumspect, defensive attitude.
This may be after losing several quick wickets, or if they need to set more defensive fields to contain Aussie batters who are on top.
Throughout the series, both sides will be looking for the right times to attack and defend, depending on the match situation.
Your investment strategy would be wise to follow a similar approach of finding the right balance between an aggressive and a defensive mindset.
For example, a portfolio consisting entirely of low-risk investments is unlikely to deliver significant wealth accumulation, in the same way that cautious cricket over five days is unlikely to win you many test matches.
You need to find an investment balance that suits your long-term objectives.
4. Harness the power of diversity
Throughout Ashes history, the most successful teams have tended to be the ones with the right balance of batters, bowlers, and all-rounders, with each contributing differently.
Even cricket legends such as Don Bradman and Shane Warne needed players with other skills to complement their own.
A team overloaded with batters may struggle to bowl the opposition out. Similarly, the best bowling attack will still need enough runs to defend to win tests.
Then, each facet – batting and bowling – needs balance. Nathan Lyon is an integral part of the Australian attack, and he provides a spin option to complement the quick bowlers. Likewise, the secure presence of Joe Root is important in an England batting line-up filled with aggressive players.
Diversity and balance are also important when you are putting together your investment portfolio.
It’s sensible to choose an effective mix of asset classes across regions and industries to help mitigate risk during different market conditions.
Sectors rarely fall and rise at the same time. So, by spreading your investments, you can potentially benefit from consistent growth, rather than being exposed to the fluctuations of a single market.
5. Tune out external distractions
For touring sides, a hostile media and a raucous home crowd keen to offer their “advice” are an ever-present challenge. How successfully they can cope with the attention and hostility can dramatically alter the result of the series.
Home teams can’t avoid press scrutiny either, which can become increasingly strident if they are underperforming.
Both teams will need to tune out the distractions and focus on their performance out in the middle.
In the same way, you should avoid overreacting to stock market fluctuation and media speculation. Your investment strategy will probably be designed to produce long-term growth from a portfolio of funds. As a result, you should tune out the noise and avoid impulsive decisions.
6. Think about succession planning
One of the key storylines in this Ashes series could revolve around the age of the Australian team.
Three of the front-line bowlers – Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon – are all over 34, and it’s inevitable that questions will be asked about their ability to get through a potentially hard-fought series.
Conversely, England is a younger side. The selection of Harry Brook as vice-captain would suggest they are thinking about the future, with Brook earmarked to replace Ben Stokes as captain when he steps down.
Similar succession planning ought to be a key part of your long-term financial planning.
It’s sensible to take steps to manage your legacy, ensuring your family will be financially secure in the event of your death.
You should also ensure you have a will in place and keep it up to date, and consider how to pass your assets as smoothly and as tax-efficiently as possible to your heirs.
Get in touch
At bdhSterling, we specialise in helping clients in the UK and Australia navigate the complexities of international financial planning.
Whether you’re managing assets in multiple countries or planning a move abroad, our expert advisers can help you build a resilient, long-term financial strategy.
If you would like to discuss your own plans, please get in touch with us today.
Please note
The value of your investment can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
This article is for information only, it does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation, or needs.
Please do not solely rely on anything you have read in this article and ensure that you conduct your own research to ensure any actions you may take are suitable for your circumstances.