The Ashes: Cricket's Greatest Rivalry and Its Defining Moments
The Ashes is the oldest international sporting rivalry — England vs Australia Test series played since 1882, with a symbolic urn of ashes representing the prize. This guide covers the origin story, the greatest moments, and why the Ashes remains the benchmark for Test cricket excellence.
The Ashes began in 1882 after Australia beat England at The Oval — a result so shocking that a mock obituary in The Sporting Times declared 'English cricket has died and the body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia.' England captain Ivo Bligh promised to 'recover the ashes' during that winter's tour of Australia. A group of Australian ladies presented Bligh with a small urn (reportedly containing the ashes of a cricket bail) — this urn has remained at Lord's ever since, regardless of who holds the Ashes series. The symbolic trophy is never actually transported between countries — instead, a Waterford Crystal replica urn is awarded to the series winner.
Greatest Ashes Moments
The Ashes' defining moments: Bob Willis 8/43 at Headingley 1981 (Botham's Ashes — England followed-on 227 runs behind, won by 18 runs; Willis's furious bowling dismissed Australia for 111); Shane Warne's Ball of the Century (Old Trafford 1993 — first ball bowled in an Ashes series, landed outside leg stump, spun past Gatting's bat and hit off stump); Ben Stokes 135* at Headingley 2019 (chasing 359, England were 286/9 — Stokes made 135* while last man Jack Leach made 1*, winning by 1 wicket in one of cricket's most dramatic finishes); and the 2005 Ashes (England's first Ashes win in 18 years, decided by 2-1 across 5 Tests, all five finishing differently — considered the greatest Test series ever played).
Ashes Records
Ashes batting records: Bradman 29 centuries in Ashes Tests; Jack Hobbs 12 centuries; Herbert Sutcliffe and Len Hutton both scored multiple Ashes hundreds. Bowling records: Shane Warne 195 Ashes wickets at 23.25 (the most in Ashes history); Dennis Lillee 167 wickets; Bob Willis 128 wickets. The Ashes has produced more Test cricket records than any other bilateral series — partly because of its length (a full home-and-away cycle: 10 Tests every 2 years) and partly because both countries have historically been the dominant Test cricket nations.
Modern Ashes
The modern Ashes (2010s-2020s): England won in 2010-11 (Australia) — England's last away Ashes win; 2013 (England) 3-0; 2019 (England drew 2-2 — Australia retained since they held the Ashes going in). Australia won heavily in 2013-14 (5-0) and 2017-18 (4-0). England under Stokes-McCullum (Bazball) drew 2-2 in 2023 in a series that produced exceptional cricket but no result — Australia retained. The 2025 Ashes will be in England. England's last Ashes series win in Australia was 2010-11 — a 14-year gap that Bazball has not yet closed.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Ashes in cricket?
The Ashes is the bilateral Test cricket series between England and Australia, held every 2 years alternating between venues in England and Australia. The name originates from a mock obituary printed in The Sporting Times in 1882 after Australia beat England for the first time in England — 'In Affectionate Remembrance of English Cricket.' Australia have won 34 Ashes series; England 32; and there have been 5 draws (2-2 or 1-1 results). The actual 'ashes' are a small terracotta urn kept permanently at Lord's Cricket Ground — a crystal replica is awarded to the series winner.
What was the Bodyline series?
The Bodyline series was the 1932-33 Ashes in Australia — named for England's tactic of bowling short-pitched deliveries at the batsman's body (specifically at Don Bradman) while placing a cluster of fielders on the leg side (leg theory) to catch the deflections. Devised by England captain Douglas Jardine and bowled primarily by Harold Larwood (145+ km/h), the tactic was designed to prevent Bradman from scoring freely. England won 4-1. The tactic was considered unsportsmanlike and created a diplomatic incident — Australia's Cricket Board complained to MCC (England's governing body) and threatened to cancel the tour. Bodyline led to Law changes banning excessive leg-side field placements.
When is the next Ashes series?
The next Ashes is in England in 2027 (England host in odd-numbered years). The most recent Ashes was the 2025–26 series in Australia — Australia won 4–1, with Mitchell Starc taking 31 wickets as Player of the Series. The 2023 Ashes in England ended 2–2 (Australia retained). Australia have now held the Ashes since 2021–22.