The Ashes Format Explained: Why England vs Australia Is Cricket's Greatest Rivalry
What the Ashes is — England vs Australia's biennial Test series (5 Tests), the origin of the Ashes urn (the 1882 'death of English cricket' newspaper obituary), how the urn's physical possession is determined, famous Ashes series (1932/33 Bodyline, 1981 Botham, 2005, 2019), and why the Ashes retains cultural significance despite both nations playing more bilateral series with India.
The Ashes is the biennial Test cricket series between England and Australia — alternating between England (English summer, typically June-August) and Australia (Australian summer, typically November-January) every 2 years. The Ashes consists of 5 Test matches; the team that wins more Tests wins the series; if a series is drawn (2-2 after 4 Tests, with the 5th match still remaining), the team holding the Ashes retains them. The Ashes urn — a small terracotta urn approximately 15cm tall, allegedly containing the ashes of a cricket ball (or some cricket-related material) — is held by the MCC at Lord's Cricket Ground and almost never travels to Australia; a replica accompanies the winning team.
The Origin: The 1882 Obituary
The Ashes origin: in September 1882, Australia defeated England for the first time in a Test match played in England (The Oval, Surrey). The margin: Australia won by 7 runs. The Sporting Times published a mock obituary: 'In Affectionate Remembrance of ENGLISH CRICKET, which died at The Oval on 29th August 1882... The body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia.' England's captain (Ivo Bligh) led England to Australia in 1882-83 with the stated mission to 'regain the Ashes'; Australia ladies (the specific story varies — some accounts say a group of Melbourne society ladies) burned a bail and presented the ashes to Bligh in a small urn. England won 2 of the 3 Tests; Bligh claimed to have 'recovered the ashes.' The urn remained the Bligh family's possession until 1927, when it was gifted to the MCC. Physically: the Ashes urn has never been offered to the winning team as a travel trophy; Australia have won the urn technically but have never physically held the Lord's urn.
The Greatest Ashes Series
The Ashes has produced cricket's most celebrated series: (1) 1932-33 Bodyline: England deliberately bowled short-pitched deliveries at Australian bodies (not the bat) — specifically targeting Don Bradman; caused a diplomatic incident; England won 4-1; Australia lodged formal complaints; England captain Jardine and bowler Larwood were the primary figures. (2) 1981 Botham's Ashes: England came from 1-0 down to win 3-1; Botham's 149*, Headingley win at 500-1 odds; 3 consecutive match-winning performances. (3) 2005 Ashes (England): England won 2-1 for the first time in 18 years; Kevin Pietersen's 158 (5th Test), Andrew Flintoff's 10 wickets in the series; final margin: England won on third day of 5th Test. (4) 2019 Ashes (England): drew 2-2 (Australia retained); Steve Smith's 774 runs; the series in which Australia retained without winning on English soil.
Ashes Venues and the 'Home Ground Advantage'
England's Ashes venues (rotating): Lord's Cricket Ground (the 'home of cricket'); Edgbaston (Birmingham); Old Trafford (Manchester); Headingley (Leeds); The Oval (London). Australia's Ashes venues (rotating): The Gabba (Brisbane); Adelaide Oval (now with day-night Test potential); Melbourne Cricket Ground; Sydney Cricket Ground; Perth (WACA or Optus Stadium since 2017). The 'home advantage' in Ashes cricket: Australia have dominated Ashes matches in Australia (winning the last 3 consecutive Ashes in Australia: 2013-14, 2017-18, 2021-22). England have been more competitive at home (2015: retained at home; 2019: drawn). The specific home advantage in cricket: surface preparation favors the home team's bowlers (Australia prepare hard, bouncy pitches that suit their fast bowlers; England prepare humid, seaming surfaces that suit their swing bowlers). The Ashes' 5-Test format — unlike bilateral series vs other nations, which can be 2-4 Tests — means both teams have multiple opportunities to recover from a bad Test.
Frequently asked questions
What are the Ashes in cricket?
The Ashes is the Test cricket series between England and Australia — held every 2 years, alternating between England and Australia. It consists of 5 Test matches; the team winning more Tests wins the series. The 'Ashes' refers to a small terracotta urn (held at Lord's, London) allegedly containing the ashes of a cricket bail — presented to England captain Ivo Bligh in 1882-83. The urn itself never travels; a replica accompanies the winning team. The Ashes began in 1882-83 following an 1882 newspaper obituary for 'English cricket' after England lost to Australia for the first time in England.
How does the Ashes work if the series is drawn?
If an Ashes series is drawn (e.g., 2-2 with one match or more drawn), the team that held the Ashes before the series began retains them. They do not need to win to keep the Ashes — a draw is sufficient for the holders. England 'retained' the Ashes in 2005 (winning 2-1), 2009 (winning 2-1), 2010-11 (winning 3-1 in Australia). Australia 'retained' by drawing: 2019 Ashes — Australia needed only a draw to keep the Ashes (they held them from the 2017-18 series win); the 2019 series was 2-2 — Australia retained.
Which team has won the most Ashes series?
Australia have won the most Ashes series overall: of the approximately 73 Ashes series since 1882-83, Australia have won approximately 34, England have won approximately 32, and the remainder have been drawn. In the modern era (post-1990): Australia dominated for the longest period (they won 8 consecutive Ashes series from 1989 to 2001). England won in 2005 (ending 18 years of Australian dominance), 2009, and 2010-11. Australia retained the Ashes in the 2023 series in England (2-2 draw — the holder retains on a draw) and then won the 2025-26 series in Australia 4-1, extending their hold. Australia currently hold the Ashes.