Australia dominates cricket’s greatest rivalry with their crushing 4-1 victory in 2025-26, extending a pattern that’s shaped The Ashes for over 140 years.
Since that first series in 1882-83, Australia has claimed the urn 35 times compared to England’s 32 wins, with 6 drawn series.
The latest series tells a familiar story.
Australia seized control early and never let go, wrapping up the series with a five-wicket win at Sydney after England posted 384 & 342. But couldn’t stop Australia’s reply of 567 & 161/5.
Travis Head’s match-winning performance earned him Player of the Match, while Mitchell Starc took Player of the Series honors for his devastating bowling throughout.
What Makes The Ashes Special
Most cricket fans don’t realize the Ashes began with a satirical obituary.
When Australia beat England at The Oval in 1882, The Sporting Times published a mock obituary declaring English cricket had died, and “the body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia.”
The next English tour to Australia aimed to “regain those ashes” – and cricket’s most intense rivalry was born.
Quick Facts:
- Total series: 73 completed (1882-2026)
- Australia wins: 35 series
- England wins: 32 series
- Drawn series: 6
- Home advantage matters: Host nation wins 65% of series
Complete Ashes Winners (1882-2026)
| Year | Winner | Score | Venue | Notable Facts |
| 1882/83 | England | 2-1 | Australia | The original series that started it all |
| 1884 | England | 1-0 | England | Only 3 tests played |
| 1884/85 | England | 3-2 | Australia | First 5-test series |
| 1886 | England | 3-0 | England | England’s first whitewash |
| 1886/87 | England | 2-0 | Australia | Only 2 tests completed |
| 1887/88 | England | 1-0 | Australia | Weather-shortened series |
| 1888 | England | 2-1 | England | Return to England |
| 1890 | England | 2-0 | England | England dominance continues |
| 1891/92 | Australia | 2-1 | Australia | Australia’s first Ashes win |
| 1893 | England | 1-0 | England | Close contest decided by one test |
| 1894/95 | England | 3-2 | Australia | Thrilling 5-test series |
| 1896 | England | 2-1 | England | England back on top |
| 1897/98 | Australia | 4-1 | Australia | Australia’s first dominant home win |
| 1899 | Australia | 1-0 | England | Historic first Ashes win in England |
| 1901/02 | Australia | 4-1 | Australia | Australia establishes home dominance |
| 1902 | Australia | 2-1 | England | Australia wins in England again |
| 1903/04 | England | 3-2 | Australia | England fights back |
| 1905 | England | 2-0 | England | England regains home control |
| 1907/08 | Australia | 4-1 | Australia | Pre-WWI Australian strength |
| 1909 | Australia | 2-1 | England | Australia’s away form improves |
| 1911/12 | England | 4-1 | Australia | England’s best away performance |
| 1912 | England | 1-0 | England | Last series before WWI |
| 1920/21 | Australia | 5-0 | Australia | Post-war dominance begins |
| 1921 | Australia | 3-0 | England | Australia’s first whitewash in England |
| 1924/25 | Australia | 4-1 | Australia | Continued Australian strength |
| 1926 | England | 1-0 | England | England breaks the drought |
| 1928/29 | England | 4-1 | Australia | England’s golden period |
| 1930 | Australia | 2-1 | England | Don Bradman arrives |
| 1932/33 | England | 4-1 | Australia | “Bodyline” series controversy |
| 1934 | Australia | 2-1 | England | Australia bounces back |
| 1936/37 | Australia | 3-2 | Australia | Close contest down under |
| 1938 | Drawn | 1-1 | England | War clouds gathering |
| 1946/47 | Australia | 3-0 | Australia | Post-WWII resumption |
| 1948 | Australia | 4-0 | England | “The Invincibles” tour |
| 1950/51 | Australia | 4-1 | Australia | Australian golden age continues |
| 1953 | England | 1-0 | England | England breaks 20-year drought |
| 1954/55 | England | 3-1 | Australia | England’s rare away success |
| 1956 | England | 2-1 | England | Jim Laker’s 19 wickets |
| 1958/59 | Australia | 4-0 | Australia | Australia regains dominance |
| 1961 | Australia | 2-1 | England | Close series in England |
| 1962/63 | Drawn | 1-1 | Australia | Rare draw down under |
| 1964 | Australia | 1-0 | England | Tight contest in England |
| 1965/66 | Drawn | 1-1 | Australia | Another stalemate |
| 1968 | Drawn | 1-1 | England | Series defined by draws |
| 1970/71 | England | 2-0 | Australia | England’s unexpected success |
| 1972 | Drawn | 2-2 | England | Perfectly balanced series |
| 1974/75 | Australia | 4-1 | Australia | Jeff Thomson and Dennis Lillee |
| 1975 | Australia | 1-0 | England | World Cup year series |
| 1977 | England | 3-0 | England | England’s strong response |
| 1978/79 | England | 5-1 | Australia | England’s biggest away win |
| 1981 | England | 3-1 | England | “Botham’s Ashes” – miraculous comeback |
| 1982/83 | Australia | 2-1 | Australia | Australia back in control |
| 1985 | England | 3-1 | England | Border-Gavakar era begins |
| 1986/87 | England | 2-1 | Australia | England’s rare away success |
| 1989 | Australia | 4-0 | England | Australia’s complete dominance |
| 1990/91 | Australia | 3-0 | Australia | Clean sweep down under |
| 1993 | Australia | 4-1 | England | Steve Waugh era begins |
| 1994/95 | Australia | 3-1 | Australia | Australian machine rolling |
| 1997 | Australia | 3-2 | England | Close but decisive |
| 1998/99 | Australia | 3-1 | Australia | Shane Warne at his peak |
| 2001 | Australia | 4-1 | England | McGrath-Warne combination |
| 2002/03 | Australia | 4-1 | Australia | Australian golden generation |
| 2005 | England | 2-1 | England | Greatest series ever? |
| 2006/07 | Australia | 5-0 | Australia | Perfect response to 2005 |
| 2009 | England | 2-1 | England | England strikes back |
| 2010/11 | England | 3-1 | Australia | England’s best away win since 1986/87 |
| 2013 | England | 3-0 | England | England’s home comfort |
| 2013/14 | Australia | 5-0 | Australia | Mitchell Johnson’s pace barrage |
| 2015 | England | 3-2 | England | Thrilling see-saw battle |
| 2017/18 | Australia | 4-0 | Australia | Steve Smith masterclass |
| 2019 | Drawn | 2-2 | England | Steve Smith vs Ben Stokes |
| 2021/22 | Australia | 4-0 | Australia | England’s batting collapse |
| 2023 | Drawn | 2-2 | England | Rain saves England |
| 2025/26 | Australia | 4-1 | Australia | Latest chapter written |
The Last Five Series: Patterns and Drama
#1) 2025-26: Australia 4-1 (Australia)
The Story: Australia never looked in serious trouble across five tests. Despite some resistance from England’s batting, Australia controlled the key moments. Travis Head’s attacking strokeplay and Mitchell Starc’s pace proved too much for England’s rebuilt lineup.
Key Moment: Australia chased down 161 in the final test to complete a comprehensive series victory.
Why Australia Won: Superior bowling depth, better batting under pressure, home conditions perfectly exploited.
#2) 2023: Drawn 2-2 (England)
The Story: One of the great modern series. Australia won the first two tests by tiny margins – 2 wickets at Birmingham, 43 runs at Lord’s. England roared back with a 3-wicket thriller at Leeds before rain intervened at Manchester. The final test at The Oval saw England level with a 49-run victory.
Key Moment: Ben Stokes’ unbeaten 155 at Leeds, one of the finest fourth-innings chases in Ashes history.
Why It Was Special: Every game mattered. No dead rubbers, no easy victories. Pure competitive cricket.
#3) 2021-22: Australia 4-0 (Australia)
The Story: England’s batting capitulated in Australian conditions. After losing the first test by 9 wickets, England never recovered. Their second-innings 68 at Melbourne remains one of their lowest-ever Ashes totals.
Key Moment: England’s batting collapse for 68 in the third test sealed their fate.
Why Australia Dominated: Pace bowling (Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood) combined with England’s technical flaws against short balls.
#4) 2019: Drawn 2-2 (England)
The Story: Steve Smith’s return from suspension dominated the narrative. Despite missing one test through concussion, Smith scored 774 runs at 110.57. England’s Ben Stokes countered with his miracle at Headingley, chasing 359 with Jack Leach for company.
Key Moment: Stokes’ unbeaten 135 at Leeds – 73 needed when last man Leach joined him.
Why It Drew: Two individual brilliance peaks cancelling each other out.
#5) 2017-18: Australia 4-0 (Australia)
The Story: Steve Smith averaged 137.40 across five tests while England’s batting repeatedly folded. Australia’s pace attack, led by Mitchell Starc, consistently found ways through England’s top order.
Key Moment: England’s 58 all out in the first innings of the fourth test.
Why Australia Won: Smith’s batting genius combined with England’s technical shortcomings away from home.
Ashes Records That Matter
Individual Series Dominance:
- Don Bradman 1930: 974 runs at 139.14 (still the benchmark)
- Steve Smith 2019: 774 runs at 110.57 (modern comparison)
- Jim Laker 1956: 46 wickets at 9.62 (bowling record)
Series Streaks:
- Australia 1989-2003: 8 consecutive series wins
- England’s drought: 20 years between wins (1932-1953)
Home vs Away Success:
- Home team wins: 65% of all series
- England away wins: 8 of 36 tours (22%)
- Australia away wins: 7 of 37 tours (19%)
Why Australia Usually Wins
Three factors explain Australia’s edge in this rivalry:
Pace Bowling Tradition: From Jeff Thomson and Dennis Lillee through to Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, Australia consistently produces fast bowlers who thrive in their home conditions. English batsmen historically struggle with genuine pace combined with bounce.
Mental Toughness: Australian cricket culture emphasizes never giving up. When series get tight, Australia’s players often find that extra gear. The 2006-07 whitewash after losing in 2005 perfectly demonstrates this resilience.
Home Conditions Mastery: Australian pitches generally offer more pace and bounce than English conditions. Australian batsmen and bowlers grow up on these surfaces, giving them a crucial advantage in home series.
What England Needs to Win Again
England’s recent struggles reflect deeper systemic issues:
Technical Preparation: English batsmen must master short-ball bowling before touring Australia. Too many England batsmen get worked over by pace and bounce they rarely face at home.
Pace Bowling Development: England produces swing bowlers brilliantly but needs genuine pace. When England does produce fast bowlers (like Jofra Archer), they immediately become more competitive.
Series Planning: England often treats Ashes tours as one-off events rather than multi-year preparation cycles. Australia plans years ahead for each series.
The 2005 Exception: England’s greatest modern Ashes triumph came when they had genuine pace (Steve Harmison, Andrew Flintoff), fearless batting (Kevin Pietersen), and perfect strategic planning under Michael Vaughan.
FAQs
Who has won The Ashes most times?
Australia has won 35 series compared to England’s 32, with 6 drawn series since 1882.
When do The Ashes rotate between countries?
The Ashes alternates between England (summer) and Australia (winter) roughly every two years, though COVID-19 disrupted the recent schedule.
How many matches are in an Ashes series?
Modern Ashes series always feature 5 tests, though early series varied between 2-6 matches.
What happens if The Ashes series is drawn?
The team currently holding the urn retains it. Australia has held The Ashes since winning 4-0 in 2021-22.
Who holds The Ashes trophy right now?
Australia holds The Ashes after their 4-1 victory in 2025-26, continuing their possession since 2021-22.
What’s the biggest Ashes series win ever?
Several 5-0 whitewashes share this record, including Australia’s 2006-07 and 2013-14 victories, and England’s historic wins in earlier eras.
