Resolution criteria

The market resolves based on the fastest ball bowled during the 2025–26 Ashes series between Australia and England, running from 21 November 2025 to 8 January 2026. Resolution will be determined by official speed recordings from broadcast data or ICC records. The fastest delivery bowled by any of the three named bowlers (Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, or Mitch Starc) across all five Tests will determine the winner. If none of the three bowlers plays in the series, the market resolves to "Other."

Background

England have arrived with their quickest bowling line-up this century, spearheaded by speedsters Mark Wood and Jofra Archer. Wood is pure pace, one of the fastest we've seen in Test cricket for years. Archer's effortless action and explosive pace allow him to bowl at speeds over 90mph, and England hopes he'll bring his hostility to the 2025/26 Ashes series. Despite being 35, Starc is still Australia's go-to new ball weapon. Wood, Archer, and Starc have each bowled 154 km/h (95.7mph) deliveries, the joint-fastest recorded.

Considerations

Speed measurement can vary slightly depending on the technology and point of measurement used by broadcasters. Speeds are measured at release, with the pace decreasing as the ball travels to the batsman. The market will use the official recorded speeds from match broadcasts as the resolution source.