Last Updated on 3 days by Charbel Coorey
If you’re a fan of the Ashes, you’ll already know this is about far more than just cricket. It is a symbol of fierce competition, history, and national pride between England and Australia. Since it first took place back in 1882, it has become one of the biggest, and most important, sporting events in the world. With roots that go back to a colonial past, the series has grown to the stage where it is one of the most eagerly anticipated competitions in the sporting calendar.
The story of The Ashes goes back to the shock Australian Victory over England at the Oval in 1882. The British press was far from supportive at the time and mocked the English team. They went as far as printing an obituary in The Sporting Times, declaring English cricket had died and that ‘the body will be cremated and the Ashes taken to Australia’.
It was this tongue-in-cheek comment that gave birth to a legendary event. It was later that year that England toured Australia and the Australians presented England with a small urn that was said to contain the ashes of a burnt cricket bail. This then became the prize for every future series between the two nations.
Over more than a century, The Ashes has been responsible for producing moments that are nothing short of iconic. It has created sporting heroes, and it continues to define generations of players while remaining a focal point for fans.
Why The Ashes Matters
While there are many cricketing contests around the world, The Ashes comes with a history and emotional intensity that just can’t be matched. That’s because it’s about far more than just the game. It is more about legacy. The rivalry touches on a shared history between the countries. This includes colonial memories and huge national pride. It doesn’t matter if the action takes place on the grassy grounds of Lord’s or underneath the scorching sun at the Gabba, each match comes with huge significance.
For England, the series is a chance to reassert its status as the birthplace of the game. For Australia, it has always been an opportunity to prove that it was able to surpass its colonial ancestor on the field. In effect, this has led to The Ashes becoming what can be described as a proving ground;somewhere where both nations are tested.
The Ashes is also important when it comes to cricket as a whole. It has led to changes in playing style, innovations in tactics, and a host of key moments that have redefined the sport. The likes of bodyline tactics, helmet use, reverse swing, and modern aggressive batting all found their way into the game following encounters in this series.
The Most Unforgettable Ashes Series
While every Ashes series is special, here’s a look at some that really stand out:
The 1932-33 ‘Bodyline’ Series
This has to be the most notorious of all The Ashes series. It is the one where England used a highly controversial ‘Bodyline’ bowling technique to target the upper bodies of Australian batsmen. This was particularly aimed at the legendary Don Bradman. England were being led by Douglas Jardine and they sought to neutralise Bradman’s dominance. The tactic certainly worked, with England winning 4-1, but it certainly had a huge impact on relations. It showed cricket at its most brutal and led to the rules being rewritten.
The Invincibles of 1948
The Australian team of 1948 was still led by Bradman, although this was his final series. The team went undefeated in England, and this is something that no other team has done since. Bradman needed just four runs in his final innings so that he could end his career with an average of 100, but he was bowled for a duck. Regardless, ‘The Invincibles’ captured the imagination of the post-war generation, including a chase of 404 at Leeds
The 1981 ‘Botham Ashes’
The 1981 series turned more dramatically than any other ever had or has since. After falling behind in the third test, it was fair to say that England’s chances were all but gone. However, then came Ian Botham who produced an outstanding 149 at Headingley. England came back from the brink and ended up winning the series 3-1. This was one of the best comebacks of all time.
2005 and a Modern Classic
The 2005 contest is often referred to as the greatest Ashes series ever. It saw England get its hands back on the urn for the first time since 1986-87. This series had everything that makes cricket great. There were amazing swings, outstanding individual performances, and a truly electric atmosphere. England lost the first Test, won the second by two runs, and drew the third where Australia finished nine down. This series saw Andrew Flintoff, Kevin Pietersen, and Simon Jones become household names as Shane Warne did all he could to help Australia. The end result was 2-1 to England following their tight three-wicket win in the fourth Test at Trent Bridge.
The 2019 Series and the Stokes Miracle
The 2019 series was played in England and ended with a 2-2 draw. Despite the draw, it produced one of the most remarkable innings ever seen in cricket. It was Ben Stokes that dragged his side from certain defeat to an amazing one-wicket win while chasing 359. His unbeaten 135 was hailed around the world for his mix of aggression, composure, and courage.
Steve Smith was also the hero of the 2019 Ashes. Smith, returning to Test cricket after his one-year ban due to sandpaper gate, produced a series for the ages, scoring 774 runs in four Tests at an average of 110.57.
Looking Ahead to November 2025: Which team is the favourite to win the series?
According to Sportsbet.io, Australia are favourites to take out the 2025/26 Ashes series. The Australians have been utterly dominant in home Ashes Tests over the past 15 years, winning 13 of 15 matches with two draws.
This time, England tour with the aggressive Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum at the helm. Whether “Bazball” will work down under remains to be seen, but we can be sure of a braver approach than what England produced in tours to Australia post 2010/11.
The 2025/26 Ashes series begins in Perth on November 21, before shifting to Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and then Sydney.
