The Ashes — England vs Australia's Oldest and Greatest Test Rivalry
The Ashes is cricket's most celebrated rivalry. Learn the origin of the urn, the series format, and the most famous Ashes moments in history.
What Is the Ashes?
The Ashes is a bilateral Test cricket series contested between England and Australia, played alternately in England (every four years) and Australia (every four years). The series is named after a famous 1882 satirical obituary in The Sporting Times, which mourned 'the death of English cricket' after Australia's first-ever victory on English soil — lamenting that 'the body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia'. England quickly set out to 'recover the ashes'.
The Urn
The iconic Ashes urn is a small terracotta urn approximately 10 cm tall, believed to contain the ashes of a bail or ball from the 1882–83 tour to Australia. It was presented to English captain Ivo Bligh by a group of Melbourne women in 1883 and remained in Bligh's family until donated to the MCC in 1927. The urn never leaves Lord's Cricket Ground — the trophy presented to the winning team in modern series is a replica.
Ashes Format
Each Ashes series consists of 5 Test matches, played home and away. The team that wins 3 or more Tests wins the series and holds the Ashes. If the series is drawn 2-2 (with one match drawn), the holders retain the Ashes. England last retained the Ashes in 2023 (drawing 2-2 in England). Australia have held the urn more frequently over the past 40 years.
Most Famous Ashes Moments
- 1932-33 Bodyline series: England captain Douglas Jardine used leg theory (body-line bowling) to counter Bradman. Australia were furious; the series strained diplomatic relations between the two countries.
- 1981 Headingley: Botham's 149 and Bob Willis's 8/43 — England won from near-certain defeat.
- 2005 Ashes: England won 2-1 — the most celebrated Ashes series in modern memory.
- 2006-07: Australia's 5-0 whitewash — the most comprehensive Ashes result in the modern era.
- 2010-11: England won 3-1 in Australia — their first series victory Down Under since 1987.
- 2023: Ben Stokes' Bazball England drew 2-2 — Australia retained the Ashes but England's attacking style won plaudits.
Frequently asked questions
How often is the Ashes played?
The Ashes series is played every two years — alternating between England (even years like 2023, 2027) and Australia (odd years like 2021-22, 2025-26). Each home side hosts a 5-Test series, making a full Ashes cycle consist of 10 Tests over 4 years.
Who has won the most Ashes series?
Australia have won more Ashes series in cricket's history — approximately 34 series vs England's approximately 32, with several shared or retained. In the modern era (since 1989), Australia dominated until 2005 and again after 2007. England won in 2005, 2009, and 2010-11.