Ashes Cricket History | A Storied Legacy of Cricket Rivalry

The Ashes, a historic cricket series contested between England and Australia, has been the centrepiece of cricketing folklore for over a century. This iconic series has witnessed countless memorable moments, fierce rivalries, and unparalleled sportsmanship.

And we’ve been lucky enough to witness the Ashes unfold live many times in our 30+ years of cricket spectating and certainly in recent memory have become part of Ashes Cricket History ourselves! (well from a spectator’s point of view at least)

Let’s together dive in and have a deeper look at the game’s origins and history, shall we?

Origins of The Ashes

The term “Ashes” was first coined after England’s shocking defeat to Australia on their home soil in 1882.

A mock obituary published in the Sporting Times mourned the death of English cricket, stating that the body would be cremated and the “ashes” taken to Australia.

The following series in Australia was dubbed as the quest to regain those ashes, and thus, a legendary cricketing tradition was born.

The Urn Symbolism

The Ashes urn, which is often mistakenly believed to be the trophy awarded for winning the series, is actually a small terracotta urn.

It was presented to England’s captain Ivo Bligh by a group of Melbourne women headed up by Janet Lady Clarke during the 1882–83 series in Australia.

The urn contains a burnt cricket bail, symbolising the “ashes” of English cricket.

While the urn remains at the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) Museum at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, replica urns are awarded to the winning team.

Memorable Moments in Ashes Cricket History

Donald Bradman’s 334: In 1930, Sir Donald Bradman, often regarded as the greatest batsman of all time, scored a mammoth 334 runs at Headingley. This remains one of the highest individual scores in Ashes history.
England’s 5-0 Whitewash in 1928-29: England dominated Australia, winning all five tests – a feat that would not be repeated by England until 86 years later.
Jim Laker’s Record in 1956: In the fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford, England’s Jim Laker delivered an unparalleled performance, taking 19 wickets for 90 runs, including a perfect 10 wickets in the second innings. This remains an unmatched feat in Test cricket history, leading England to a resounding victory by an innings and 170 runs.
Ian Botham’s Heroics in 1981: The 1981 Ashes series, also known as “Botham’s Ashes,” saw one of the most remarkable turnarounds in cricket history. England were on the brink of defeat in the third Test at Headingley when Ian Botham delivered an astonishing performance, scoring 149 not out in the second innings. This, followed by Bob Willis’s 8 wickets for 43 runs, led England to a miraculous victory. Botham’s all-round performances throughout the series ensured England retained the Ashes.
The 2005 Ashes Series: Often dubbed as the greatest Ashes series, England reclaimed the urn after 18 years in a nail-biting series that had everything – from thrilling finishes to iconic individual performances.
Australia’s 5-0 Whitewash in 2006-07: Just a year after the epic 2005 series, Australia avenged their loss in the most dominant fashion possible. Led by the likes of Ricky Ponting, Glenn McGrath, and Shane Warne, Australia whitewashed England 5-0. It was a fitting farewell for Australian legends Warne, McGrath, and Justin Langer, who all retired at the end of the series.

Ashes Statistics and Series Winners

The Ashes comprises a series of five Test matches, with the team winning the most matches claiming the urn. Here’s a brief overview of all Ashes Series dates and victors.

2023: England and Australia drew the series in England 2–2, but Australia retained the Ashes having won the previous series.
2021-22: Australia won the series 4-0.
2019: England and Australia drew the series 2–2, but Australia retained the Ashes having won the previous series.
2017–18: Australia won the series 4–0.
2015: England won the series 3–2.
2013–14: Australia won the series 5–0.
2013: England won the series 3–0.
2010–11: England won the series 3–1.
2009: England won the series 2–1.
2006–07: Australia won the series 5–0.
2005: England won the series 2–1.
2002–03: Australia won the series 4–1.
2001: Australia won the series 4–1.
1998–99: Australia won the series 3–1.
1997: Australia won the series 3–2.
1994–95: Australia won the series 3–1.
1993: Australia won the series 4–1.
1990–91: Australia won the series 3–0.
1989: Australia won the series 4–0.
1986–87: England won the series 2–1.
1985: England won the series 3–1.
1982–83: Australia won the series 2–1.
1981: England won the series 3–1.
1978–79: England won the series 5–1.
1977: England won the series 3–0.
1974–75: Australia won the series 4–1.
1972: The series was drawn 2–2.
1970–71: England won the series 2–0.
1968: The series was drawn 1–1.
1965–66: The series was drawn 1–1.
1964: The series was drawn 1–1.
1962–63: The series was drawn 1–1.
1961: Australia won the series 2–1.
1958–59: Australia won the series 4–0.
1956: England won the series 2–1.
1954–55: England won the series 3–1.
1953: England won the series 1–0.
1950–51: Australia won the series 4–1.
1948: Australia won the series 4–0.
1938: The series was drawn 1–1.
1936–37: Australia won the series 3–2.
1934: Australia won the series 2–1.
1932–33: England won the series 4–1.
1930: Australia won the series 2–1.
1928–29: England won the series 4–1.
1926: England won the series 1–0.
1924–25: Australia won the series 4–1.
1921: Australia won the series 3–0.
1912: England won the series 3–2.
1909: Australia won the series 2–1.
1907–08: England won the series 4–1.
1905: England won the series 2–0.
1903–04: England won the series 3–2.
1902: Australia won the series 2–1.
1899: Australia won the series 1–0.
1897–98: Australia won the series 4–1.
1896: England won the series 2–1.
1894–95: England won the series 3–2.
1893: England won the series 1–0.
1891–92: Australia won the series 2–1.
1890: England won the series 2–0.
1887–88: England won the series 2–0.
1886: England won the series 3–0.

This list provides a comprehensive overview of the Ashes series winners from 1886 to 2023. England and Australia have both had their eras of dominance. While Australia dominated the early 2000s, England made a strong comeback in the late 2000s and early 2010s.

Ashes Cricket | Our Experience and Thoughts

The Ashes remains one of the most anticipated events in the cricketing calendar. Its rich history, combined with the unpredictable nature of the contest, ensures that it continues to captivate audiences worldwide.

Ashes Cricket Tours has been lucky enough to be at several Ashes Cricket Series over the years and we’ve got a few more inus yet before we retire and become a small part of Ashes Cricket History ourselves.

Whether you’re an avid cricket fan or a casual observer, the allure of The Ashes is undeniable.