The action-packed Ashes 2023 series between Australia and England are slated to kick off from June 16 and the hype around is palpable. Yet again the cricket fans will witness one of the oldest, biggest and fiercest cricketing rivalries getting unfurled but this time Ben Stokes-led England will host Australia after their drubbing in the previous edition of Ashes.
Meanwhile, before the biggest cricket drama gets on display, let's take you through the history surrounding the much vaunted Ashes.
History behind Ashes
The word ‘Ashes’ has a great history behind it as the term was coined following a satirical obituary which was published in a British newspaper after Australia got the better of England at the Oval during 1882 tour. Apparently, it was Australia's first win over England on English soil. The mock obituary which was published in the Sporting Times stated English cricket had died and "the body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia".
“In affectionate remembrance of English cricket which died at The Oval, 29th August, 1882. Deeply lamented by a large circle of sorrowing friends and acquaintances, RIP. NB - The body will be cremated and the Ashes taken to Australia,” the column read. From the that very day, the Ashes took a mythical status in the longest format of the game which is played between England and Australia with a pride at stake.
Notably, since the 1998-99 Ashes series, the winning team is being presented an urn-shaped Waterford Crystal trophy commissioned by the MCC.
The five-match Ashes series is played every two years where both teams take turns and host each other alternately.
In the Ashes 2023, England will be hosting Australia after their 4-0 humiliation in the last edition on Australian soil.
Over the course of the numerous on-field battles between these two great cricket nations, several records have been created and here we take a closer look at some of those stats and records between England and Australia in Tests.
In a span of 72 Ashes series so far, umpteen records have been made and busted. Let's take you through those records which have been scripted over the years.
All about Ashes records
The two teams Australia and England started playing Test matches against each other from 1876. The two teams Australia and England started playing Test matches against each other from 1876. Called Cricket’s oldest rivalry, Ashes has been in existence for the last 137 years since its birth in 1882-83.
Australia are coming into the Ashes 2023 series as a holder of the urn and from a high of WTC 2023 title. Notably, England last clinched the Ashes series back in 2015.
Head-to-Head records
So far 72 Ashes series have been played between the nation where Australia have clinched 34 of them while England have bagged 32 series and six series have been drawn. Both teams have locked horns with each other 356 times in Ashes with England emerging victorious on 110 occasions while Australia have won 150 matches with 96 encounters ended up in a draw.
Australia's overall Test record in England
Australian have won 55 Tests on English soil out of total 177 Test matches. They have managed 68 draws and suffered 54 losses.
England's overall Test record in Australia
England have won 56 Tests on Australian soil out of total 172 Test matches. They have managed 26 draws and suffered 92 losses.
Ashes' individual records
Most Runs in Ashes: Don Bradman (5028 Runs)
Highest Average in Ashes: Don Bradman (89.79)
Most Centuries in Ashes: Don Bradman (19 Centuries)
Highest Individual Score in Ashes: Len Hutton (364) (Read about it Here!!! Interesting One)
Most Runs in a Calendar Ashes Series: Don Bradman (974 Runs in 5 Test Matches 1930 Series)
Most Wickets in Ashes: Shane Warne (195 Wickets)
Highest Team Total in Ashes: England 903/7 declared at The Oval (20/08/1938)
Lowest Team Total in Ashes: Australia 36 All-Out at Birmingham (29/05/1902)
Darren Gough is the one and only player to record a hat-trick in Ashes(1998-99)
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