The Ashes: Cricket's Greatest Rivalry in Iconic Moments
The Ashes between England and Australia is cricket's oldest and most celebrated bilateral rivalry. This guide covers the most iconic Ashes moments — from Bodyline in 1932-33 to Botham's Ashes in 1981, from the 2005 epic to Stokes' Headingley heroics in 2019.
The Ashes has produced cricket's most dramatic bilateral Test series since 1882 — when an English newspaper's satirical obituary to English cricket ('the body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia') gave the rivalry its name. Since that era, every Ashes series carries disproportionate significance for both nations: Australia and England define their cricketing identity partly through the Ashes result. The competition has produced cricket's most famous individual moments, team collapses, and personal triumphs.
Bodyline 1932-33
England's 1932-33 Ashes tour under Douglas Jardine deployed the 'Bodyline' tactics — deliberate short-pitched bowling aimed at the body of Australian batsmen (particularly Don Bradman, whose average the tactics were specifically designed to reduce). The tactics were technically legal but considered unsporting; the diplomatic crisis nearly severed relations between England and Australia. Bradman still averaged 56 in the series (reduced from his normal 95+ but still exceptional). The Bodyline controversy led to Law changes restricting deliberate intimidatory bowling.
The 2005 Ashes
The 2005 Ashes — England vs Australia, Michael Vaughan's England winning 2-1 to end Australia's 16-consecutive series winning streak — is considered one of cricket's greatest series. Kevin Pietersen's 158 in the final Test (The Oval) to save the match; Andrew Flintoff's all-round brilliance; Steve Harmison's hostility; and the extraordinary tension across all five Tests made it cricket's most-watched Ashes series in decades. Australia's team included Warne, McGrath, Hayden, Langer, Gilchrist, and Ponting; England's triumph despite facing that team elevated it further.
Stokes' Headingley 2019
Ben Stokes' 135* in the Headingley Test (2019 Ashes) — scoring the final 73 runs with last man Jack Leach to win by 1 wicket off the penultimate ball — is the most celebrated individual Ashes innings since Botham 1981. England needed 73 from 17 overs with one wicket left; Stokes hit 11 fours and 8 sixes, while Leach scored a single off 17 balls (hitting the final ball for 4 to seal it). The innings was watched by record late-night viewing audiences in Australia and provided the 'Stokes is special' moment that defined his captaincy era.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Ashes in cricket?
The Ashes is the Test cricket series played between England and Australia — cricket's oldest and most celebrated bilateral rivalry. The name comes from an 1882 satirical obituary after Australia first defeated England on English soil. A series is typically 5 Tests; the team winning more Tests wins the Ashes. The physical 'Ashes' urn (reportedly containing the ashes of a bail burned in 1882) is permanently kept at Lord's.
What was Bodyline cricket?
Bodyline was England's 1932-33 Ashes tactic of bowling short-pitched deliveries aimed at the body of Australian batsmen — specifically designed to counter Don Bradman's extraordinary scoring. While technically legal, the tactic caused a diplomatic crisis between England and Australia and led to Law changes restricting deliberate intimidatory bowling. Australia won 2 Tests; England won the series 4-1.
What is the most famous Ashes innings?
Ian Botham's 149* at Headingley in 1981 (from a position where England followed on and were given 500-1 odds by bookmakers) is the most celebrated Ashes innings. Ben Stokes' 135* at Headingley in 2019 (winning with 1 wicket from 73 runs needed) is considered its modern equivalent. Both are defined by improbable individual brilliance turning seemingly lost matches.