The Ashes

Australia won their first game on British soil at The Oval in 1882. As a result, The Sporting Times published a satirical obituary stating that English cricket had died and "the body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia". England Captain Ivo Bligh vowed to "regain those ashes" in the 1882-1883 series in Australia, and as a result the name has become ingrained in cricket folklore.

England dominated the early Ashes series, winning the first eight. Australia won their first series in the 1891-1892 Ashes. Australia have also won eight straight Ashes series between 1989 and 2003. In all there have been 67 series, of which both sides have won 31 apiece. There have been 314 tests, and Australia have won 123 and England 103. There have been 88 draws.

The 1932-1933 Ashes tour of Australia is one of the more notorious. England, captained by Douglas Jardine, came up with the Bodyline ball to neutralise the impeccable Don Bradman. The idea was to bowl towards the batter's body in line with the leg stump, in the hope of creating leg-side edges. England won the series 4-1, but many believed it to be unsporting. England had put victory over gentlemanly conduct, and from here the Ashes rivalry intensified rapidly.

After a period of slight domination by England in the 70s and 80s, Australia emerged as the superior cricket team with eight straight victories. As a result of this dominance, England's Ashes victory in 2005 was wholly surprising. What made the 2005 series special was the paper thin differences between the sides. Australia took the first test and looked set to win the second test. They needed three runs from 15 balls, but Andrew Flintoff had Michael Kasprowicz caught behind, meaning England won by two runs. England then went on to win the series 2-1, giving them their first taste of Ashes success since the 1986-1987 series.

In terms of records, Australian batsman Don Bradman has hit the most runs in the Ashes with 5,028. England's Jack Hobbs is second with 3,636 runs. England's Leonard Hutton's knock of 364 is the highest run score in Ashes history.  

Australian spin bowler Shane Warne has the most wickets in Ashes history with 195. England's Ian Botham is tied-fourth with 128, but with 54 catches Botham has caught more players than any other. 

England's Jim Laker holds the record for best bowling figures in a match with an incredible 19 wickets for 90 runs, and no player has played more matches than Australian Syd Gregory, who has appeared in 52.

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