Cricket’s most famous battle. England against Australia. Two nations chasing one small trophy that carries enormous pride. The Ashes urn might be tiny, but winning it means everything.
Since 1882, these two sides have faced each other again and again, creating new moments in this historic rivalry. Australia has usually been the stronger team, while England has produced some memorable wins of its own.
The 2025-26 Ashes series has just concluded with Australia claiming a dominant 4-1 victory. They crushed England by eight wickets in both Perth and Brisbane before sealing the series at Sydney. When we look at the ashes winners list, we can clearly see how these results over the years have shaped the story of this contest.
Complete Ashes Winners Table (1882-2026)
| 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 |
| 2025/26 | Australia | 5 | 4-1 | Australia |
The Last 6 Ashes Contests (2015-2026): A Deep Dive
As a cricket expert who’s watched these teams battle for decades, I can tell you the recent series has 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.
6. The 2025-26 Series – Australia 4-1 (Australia)
Australia came out swinging! They crushed England by eight wickets in both Perth and Brisbane – just six days and the series was basically over. Travis Head was the star, moving up to open and absolutely loving it. He smashed centuries in Adelaide and Sydney like it was nothing!
England finally showed up at Melbourne, winning by four wickets. Hope at last? Not quite. The final Test at Sydney saw Australia chase down 160 with five wickets in hand. Mitchell Starc was simply unstoppable – 31 wickets across the series! Sure, Joe Root and Steve Smith showed their class with crucial hundreds, but Australia’s bowling attack was too strong. Final score: 4-1. The urn stayed home.
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Conclusion: The Ashes Story Continues with Australian Dominance
The numbers tell a clear story: historically and today, Australia has held the stronger hand in this legendary rivalry. They’ve won more Ashes series overall and continued to assert their dominance in the 2025-26 series, sealing a commanding 4-1 victory with Travis Head and Mitchell Starc leading the charge.
But this is exactly what makes The Ashes timeless, form, rankings, and history can shift in an instant. Every series brings new battles, new heroes, and new storylines. Players grow up dreaming about this contest. Fans live for it. Every ball feels like a moment.
The beauty of The Ashes? The story never ends. More twists lie ahead, and the next chapter of this rivalry is still being written, with the next series just around the corner in 2027.
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.
