Cricket’s most famous battle. England against Australia. Two nations fighting for one small trophy. The Ashes trophy might be tiny, but winning it means everything.
Since 1882, these countries have played each other in this special contest. Every two years, they meet again. The cricket is always tough and exciting.
Australia has been the stronger team overall. They’ve taken home the urn more often than England. But don’t count England out – they’ve had brilliant victories too.
Now let’s explore who won what, and dive deep into the recent battles.
Complete Ashes Winners Table (1882-2025)
| Year | Winner | Matches | Result | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1882/83 | England | 3 | 2-1 | Australia |
| 1884 | England | 3 | 1-0 | England |
| 1884/85 | England | 5 | 3-2 | Australia |
| 1886 | England | 3 | 3-0 | England |
| 1886/87 | England | 2 | 2-0 | Australia |
| 1887/88 | England | 1 | 1-0 | Australia |
| 1888 | England | 3 | 2-1 | England |
| 1890 | England | 2 | 2-0 | England |
| 1891/92 | Australia | 3 | 2-1 | Australia |
| 1893 | England | 3 | 1-0 | England |
| 1894/95 | England | 5 | 3-2 | Australia |
| 1896 | England | 3 | 2-1 | England |
| 1897/98 | Australia | 5 | 4-1 | Australia |
| 1899 | Australia | 5 | 1-0 | England |
| 1901/02 | Australia | 5 | 4-1 | Australia |
| 1902 | Australia | 5 | 2-1 | England |
| 1903/04 | England | 5 | 3-2 | Australia |
| 1905 | England | 5 | 2-0 | England |
| 1907/08 | Australia | 5 | 4-1 | Australia |
| 1909 | Australia | 5 | 2-1 | England |
| 1911/12 | England | 5 | 4-1 | Australia |
| 1912 | England | 3 | 1-0 | England |
| 1920/21 | Australia | 5 | 5-0 | Australia |
| 1921 | Australia | 5 | 3-0 | England |
| 1924/25 | Australia | 5 | 4-1 | Australia |
| 1926 | England | 5 | 1-0 | England |
| 1928/29 | England | 5 | 4-1 | Australia |
| 1930 | Australia | 5 | 2-1 | England |
| 1932/33 | England | 5 | 4-1 | Australia |
| 1934 | Australia | 5 | 2-1 | England |
| 1936/37 | Australia | 5 | 3-2 | Australia |
| 1938 | Drawn | 4 | 1-1 | England |
| 1946/47 | Australia | 5 | 3-0 | Australia |
| 1948 | Australia | 5 | 4-0 | England |
| 1950/51 | Australia | 5 | 4-1 | Australia |
| 1953 | England | 5 | 1-0 | England |
| 1954/55 | England | 5 | 3-1 | Australia |
| 1956 | England | 5 | 2-1 | England |
| 1958/59 | Australia | 5 | 4-0 | Australia |
| 1961 | Australia | 5 | 2-1 | England |
| 1962/63 | Drawn | 5 | 1-1 | Australia |
| 1964 | Australia | 5 | 1-0 | England |
| 1965/66 | Drawn | 5 | 1-1 | Australia |
| 1968 | Drawn | 5 | 1-1 | England |
| 1970/71 | England | 7 | 2-0 | Australia |
| 1972 | Drawn | 5 | 2-2 | England |
| 1974/75 | Australia | 6 | 4-1 | Australia |
| 1975 | Australia | 4 | 1-0 | England |
| 1977 | England | 5 | 3-0 | England |
| 1978/79 | England | 6 | 5-1 | Australia |
| 1981 | England | 6 | 3-1 | England |
| 1982/83 | Australia | 5 | 2-1 | Australia |
| 1985 | England | 6 | 3-1 | England |
| 1986/87 | England | 5 | 2-1 | Australia |
| 1989 | Australia | 6 | 4-0 | England |
| 1990/91 | Australia | 5 | 3-0 | Australia |
| 1993 | Australia | 6 | 4-1 | England |
| 1994/95 | Australia | 5 | 3-1 | Australia |
| 1997 | Australia | 6 | 3-2 | England |
| 1998/99 | Australia | 5 | 3-1 | Australia |
| 2001 | Australia | 5 | 4-1 | England |
| 2002/03 | Australia | 5 | 4-1 | Australia |
| 2005 | England | 5 | 2-1 | England |
| 2006/07 | Australia | 5 | 5-0 | Australia |
| 2009 | England | 5 | 2-1 | England |
| 2010/11 | England | 5 | 3-1 | Australia |
| 2013 | England | 5 | 3-0 | England |
| 2013/14 | Australia | 5 | 5-0 | Australia |
| 2015 | England | 5 | 3-2 | England |
| 2017/18 | Australia | 5 | 4-0 | Australia |
| 2019 | Drawn | 5 | 2-2 | England |
| 2021/22 | Australia | 5 | 4-0 | Australia |
| 2023 | Drawn | 5 | 2-2 | England |
The Last 5 Ashes Contests (2015-2023): A Deep Dive
As a cricket expert who’s watched these teams battle for decades, I can tell you the recent series have been absolutely gripping. Let me break down each one.
1. The 2023 Series – Drawn 2-2 (England)
What a rollercoaster! This series had everything you want in cricket. Tight finishes, brilliant individual performances, and non-stop tension.
Australia grabbed the first two games by the skin of their teeth. At Edgbaston, they scraped home by just 2 wickets – heart-stopping stuff. Then at Lord’s, they defended a modest target, winning by 43 runs. Their bowling attack was relentless.
England refused to die. At Headingley, they chased down runs in a thriller, winning by 3 wickets. Old Trafford’s fourth Test ended in a draw. The finale at The Oval belonged to England. They hammered Australia by 49 runs to square things up at 2-2.
Because Australia held the trophy, they kept it. But England showed real guts fighting back.
2. The 2021/22 Series – Australia 4-0 (Australia)
This was brutal. Australia absolutely demolished England down under. No contest whatsoever.
The Gabba Test set the tone. England collapsed for 147 in their first innings, and Australia strolled to a 9-wicket victory. At Adelaide Oval, the margin was even bigger – 275 runs. England looked lost.
Melbourne Cricket Ground became England’s nightmare. They got rolled for just 68 in their second innings. Australia won by an innings and 14 runs. The series was over after three matches.
The SCG Test ended in a draw. Then, at Hobart, Australia finished the job with a 146-run win and finished the series with a complete domination.
3. The 2017/18 Series – Australia 4-0 (Australia)
Another Australian masterclass at home. They owned England from start to finish.
Brisbane saw Australia win by 10 wickets. Easy. Steve Smith was in amazing form, scoring heavily. Adelaide brought a 120-run victory, with Australia’s batting lineup firing on all cylinders.
Perth’s WACA pitch helped Australia pile up 662 runs. England had no answer. Lost by an innings and 41 runs. The MCG Test ended in a draw, but Australia already had the urn sealed at 3-0.
Sydney wrapped it up. Another innings defeat for England – this time by 123 runs. Final score: 4-0. Painful viewing for English fans.
4. The 2015 Series – England 3-2 (England)
Now this was proper cricket! Back and forth action with both teams landing big blows. England started strong at Cardiff, taking it by 169 runs. Their bowlers clicked at the right time. But Lord’s saw Australia explode. They crushed England by 405 runs – massive! Steve Smith and company were unstoppable. Series level at 1-1.
England then produced two stunning performances. At Edgbaston, they bowled Australia out for just 136 and won by 8 wickets. Trent Bridge was even better. Australia got skittled for 60 – yes, SIXTY – in their first innings. England won by an innings and 78 runs.
Leading 3-1, England relaxed. Australia took The Oval by an innings and 46 runs. Too little, too late though. England claimed the series 3-2.
5. The 2019 Series – Drawn 2-2 (England)
Another drawn series, but what drama! Every Test mattered. Australia started perfectly at Edgbaston, winning by 251 runs. Steve Smith was back from suspension and scoring runs for fun. Lord’s ended up being drawn after intense cricket from both sides.
Headingley gave us one of cricket’s greatest moments. England needed 73 runs with just one wicket left. Ben Stokes played an incredible innings – 135 not out – to win by 1 wicket. Unforgettable!
Old Trafford went Australia’s way. They won by 185 runs to lead 2-1 with one to play. But England saved the series at The Oval, winning by 135 runs. Final score: 2-2. Australia kept the urn.
What’s Next? The 2025-26 Ashes
The cricket world is buzzing about the upcoming series. November 2025 to January 2026. Five Tests across Australia’s finest grounds.
Perth Stadium will host the opener. Then The Gabba in Brisbane – Australia’s fortress. Adelaide Oval follows, then the massive MCG in Melbourne. The series finishes at the beautiful SCG in Sydney.
Teams haven’t been picked yet. But you can bet both countries are planning hard. Australia has home advantage – big deal in cricket. England will be hungry after two drawn series in a row.
Can England win in Australia? It’s their toughest challenge. Australian pitches are fast and bouncy. Their crowds are loud and passionate. England hasn’t won a series there since 2010/11.
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Conclusion: Ashes 2025 Is Heating Up Where Australia is Leading With 1-0
Look at the numbers – Australia has won more series overall. They’ve been the dominant force, especially in recent decades. Those back-to-back 4-0 thrashings in 2017/18 and 2021/22 show their strength.
But here’s what makes The Ashes magical: it never gets stale. Form goes out the window. Rankings don’t matter. When these teams meet, anything can happen.
Both nations pour everything into this contest. Players dream of winning The Ashes since they’re kids. Fans plan their summers around it. The media covers every ball.
The beauty of The Ashes? We get another chapter soon. New heroes will emerge. More incredible moments await. The story continues.
FAQs
Australia leads the overall count. They’ve claimed victory in more series throughout history.
The Ashes kicked off in 1882 when Australia beat England for the first time on English soil.
Several series ended 5-0. Australia won 5-0 in 2006/07 and 2013/14. England also had 5-0 victories in earlier years.
Usually five Tests. But historically, some series had different numbers – anywhere from 1 to 7 matches.
The location alternates. One series happens in England, the next in Australia. It keeps things fair and gives both countries home advantage every other time.
