Complete Ashes Winners List From 1882 to 2023

Few rivalries in world sport carry the weight, tradition, and emotional pull of the Ashes. Since 1882, England and Australia have met on cricket fields in a contest that is at once sporting, cultural, and even political. The Ashes has always been more than cricket: it is about pride, national identity, and the subtle tug of history between two nations.

The winners' list tells the story of nearly a century and a half of competition. It charts England’s early dominance, Australia’s rise, periods of balance, and long runs of supremacy on one side or the other. Behind every result are unforgettable players, from W.G. Grace to Don Bradman, from Denis Compton to Ian Botham. To understand the history of Test cricket is to follow the thread of the Ashes.

The Birth of the Ashes, 1882–1883

The tale began in August 1882 at The Oval in London. England, the birthplace of cricket, was humbled by a determined Australian side led by Fred Spofforth, known as the “Demon Bowler.” Spofforth’s fiery pace and accuracy took seven wickets in the second innings and delivered Australia a narrow seven-run victory.

The shock was immense. No colonial side was supposed to defeat England on their home ground. The satirical obituary in The Sporting Times declared that English cricket had died, and that its body would be cremated with the ashes taken to Australia. The words stuck.

When England toured Australia later that year, Ivo Bligh led the side, vowing to “recover those ashes.” During that 1882–83 tour, a group of women in Melbourne presented him with a small urn said to contain the ashes of a burnt bail. Whether myth or reality, the urn became the symbol of Anglo-Australian cricketing rivalry. England won the series 2–1, and with it claimed the first official Ashes.

Early Series and Shifting Fortunes, 1880s–1900

The Ashes quickly became a regular contest, though early tours often lasted months and involved multiple matches outside the official Tests. England dominated the first decade, winning comfortably at home and away with the great W.G. Grace at the heart of their side. Grace, with his imposing beard and commanding style, was more than a cricketer — he embodied Victorian sport itself.

Yet Australia had their own heroes. Spofforth continued to terrorise English batsmen, and batsmen such as Billy Murdoch laid the foundations of Australia’s cricketing identity. The 1884–85 series was drawn, one of the first examples of how closely matched the sides could be. England reasserted itself with a 3–0 win in 1886 and carried that momentum into the 1890s.

The balance began to shift by the end of the century. In 1897–98, Australia, led by Joe Darling, crushed England 4–1. A new generation of Australian cricketers showed that the rivalry would never again be one-sided. By 1899, Australia had won in England for the first time in a full series, symbolising the narrowing gap between the two nations.

The Golden Age of Early 20th Century Cricket

The early decades of the 20th century brought glamour and skill to the Ashes. England still had greats like Jack Hobbs, who would go on to score more first-class runs than any other player in history, but Australia often held the upper hand.

In 1902, Australia won 2–1 in England in a series remembered for thrilling finishes, including a one-wicket victory at Old Trafford. Fred Tate, the unfortunate English bowler whose dropped catch proved costly, entered Ashes folklore.

The 1903–04 series swung back England’s way, thanks to the batting of Plum Warner and the bowling of Sydney Barnes. Yet by 1907–08, Australia were in command again, winning 4–1 at home with Victor Trumper dazzling crowds with his elegant strokeplay.

After the interruption of the First World War, Australia re-emerged as a formidable force. In 1920–21, they won all five Tests, a whitewash that stunned England. Led by Warwick Armstrong, the “Big Ship,” Australia bullied England with powerful batting and unrelenting bowling.

The Age of Bradman and the Bodyline Controversy

The arrival of Donald Bradman in the late 1920s changed everything. No player has ever dominated the Ashes as he did. In the 1930 series in England, Bradman scored 974 runs at an average of 139.14, including an unforgettable 334 at Headingley. England was powerless against his genius.

In desperation, England turned to tactics that sparked the greatest controversy in Ashes history. The 1932–33 Bodyline series saw Douglas Jardine instruct Harold Larwood and Bill Voce to bowl fast, short-pitched deliveries aimed at the batsmen’s bodies, with leg-side fielders waiting for catches. The strategy worked — Bradman was limited, and England won the series 4–1 — but the fallout was immense. Australians viewed it as dangerous and unsporting, and relations between the countries soured.

Despite the controversy, the Bodyline series reinforced how high the stakes of the Ashes had become. No longer just a game, it was a test of national honour.

Australia regained supremacy by 1936–37 under Bradman’s captaincy. In that series, they came from 2–0 down to win 3–2, a turnaround powered by Bradman’s batting genius. The 1938 series in England was more evenly matched, with England winning 1–0 thanks to Len Hutton’s record 364 at The Oval.

Post-War Renewal and the Invincibles

The Second World War halted cricket, but when play resumed, the Ashes quickly reclaimed centre stage. In 1946–47, Australia swept England aside 3–0, with batsmen like Sid Barnes and Lindsay Hassett ensuring Bradman’s side remained untouchable.

The peak came in 1948 with Bradman’s farewell tour of England. Known as the “Invincibles,” Australia went unbeaten in every match, including a 4–0 Ashes victory. Bradman’s final innings produced a duck, leaving him with a career average of 99.94, but his legend was secure. The Invincibles symbolised not only Australian dominance but also the spirit of renewal after the war.

England struck back in 1953, winning the Ashes for the first time in 19 years. The series was tight, but Denis Compton and Alec Bedser delivered when it mattered, sparking celebrations across England. Two years later, Frank Tyson’s express pace propelled England to a 3–1 win in Australia, showing that the balance had shifted again.

The 1956 series is remembered for Jim Laker’s astonishing feat at Old Trafford, where he took 19 wickets in a single Test match, a record that has never been equalled. England won the series 2–1, cementing Laker’s place in history.

The 1960s: Balance and Broadcasting

The 1960s produced closely fought series, many of them drawn. With Richie Benaud captaining Australia and players like Ted Dexter and Colin Cowdrey representing England, the contests were entertaining but often inconclusive.

Australia retained the Ashes through several drawn series, including 1962–63, 1964, and 1965–66, demonstrating how evenly matched the sides were. England finally regained them in 1968 under Colin Cowdrey’s leadership, thanks to Basil D’Oliveira’s courageous performances.

This period was also significant because of the rise of television. The Ashes reached living rooms across Britain and Australia, expanding its audience far beyond the crowds at the grounds. Iconic commentary and dramatic visuals brought the rivalry into the mainstream of sporting culture.

The 1970s: Drama, Fire, and New Legends

By the 1970s, the Ashes had become firmly established as cricket’s greatest rivalry. England regained the urn in 1970–71 with a 2–0 win, Ray Illingworth’s team proving resilient in hostile conditions. The series is remembered for the first-ever one-day international, played after a Test match was rained off, signalling cricket’s willingness to adapt even as the Ashes remained rooted in tradition.

The 1972 series was drawn 2–2, allowing England to retain the urn, but Australia stormed back in 1974–75 with the fearsome pace pairing of Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson. Their raw speed intimidated England’s batsmen and set a new benchmark for fast bowling dominance.

England won again in 1977 with Tony Greig as captain, but by then the cricketing world was changing. The late 1970s saw the advent of World Series Cricket, the rise of coloured clothing and floodlit matches, and growing debates about how the traditional Ashes would fit into a modernising sport.

Yet through all the changes, the Ashes retained its central place. Its winners list by the 1970s already told a story of rivalry, resilience, and cycles of dominance. Each decade had produced its heroes, its controversies, and its defining moments.

The 1980s: Botham’s Ashes and Australian Rebuilding

The 1980s began with one of the most famous Ashes series of all time. In 1981, England, captained initially by Ian Botham and later by Mike Brearley, produced a comeback that still resonates across cricket history. After losing the first Test and collapsing in the second, England looked doomed. But Botham’s swashbuckling 149 not out at Headingley, combined with Bob Willis’s devastating bowling spell, turned the match — and the series — around. England went on to win 3–1, a series forever known as “Botham’s Ashes.”

Australia in this period were undergoing upheaval following the disruption of Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket. Key players had defected to the breakaway league, and it took time for Australia to rebuild stability. England capitalised, winning further series in 1985 and 1986–87. Yet by the end of the decade, Australia had found new strength under Allan Border, a gritty captain who instilled resilience in his side. In 1989, Australia crushed England 4–0, marking the beginning of an era of Australian dominance.

The 1990s: The Warne and McGrath Era

The 1990s belonged almost entirely to Australia. Under Border, and later Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh, Australia fielded one of the strongest Test teams ever assembled. The arrival of Shane Warne, a leg-spinner of rare genius, changed the dynamic of the Ashes. His very first ball in Ashes cricket in 1993, the “Ball of the Century,” spun viciously past Mike Gatting’s bat to hit the stumps. It was a moment that symbolised Australia’s supremacy.

Glenn McGrath’s relentless accuracy and Curtly Ambrose-like consistency provided the perfect complement to Warne’s artistry. With Mark Waugh, Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting, and Justin Langer in the batting order, Australia overwhelmed England. Between 1989 and 2005, England won only one series, in 1997, and even that was quickly followed by heavy defeats.

The one-sided nature of the rivalry frustrated English fans but underlined the brilliance of Australian cricket. In 1994–95, Australia won 3–1 away from home. In 1997, England showed fight but were eventually beaten 3–2. By 2001, Australia were so dominant that McGrath famously predicted a 5–0 whitewash — and though he was wrong, Australia still won 4–1.

The 2000s: England’s Revival and the 2005 Classic

The new millennium began as the old one had ended: with Australia on top. The 2002–03 series ended 4–1 in Australia’s favour, continuing their stranglehold. England seemed incapable of competing with the combined brilliance of Warne, McGrath, Ponting, and Adam Gilchrist.

But in 2005, English cricket experienced a renaissance. The Ashes that summer produced some of the most thrilling Test cricket ever seen. The series swung back and forth, with each match filled with drama. At Edgbaston, England won by just two runs in a heart-stopping finish. Andrew Flintoff’s all-round heroics, including his famous gesture of consoling Brett Lee after that match, became iconic. Kevin Pietersen’s attacking century at The Oval sealed the series 2–1 for England, their first Ashes win since 1986–87.

The 2005 Ashes is widely credited with revitalising Test cricket worldwide. Stadiums were packed, television audiences soared, and a new generation fell in love with the format.

Australia struck back immediately in 2006–07, winning 5–0 at home, the first Ashes whitewash in over 80 years. Yet England regained the urn in 2009, winning 2–1 with Stuart Broad’s devastating bowling spell at The Oval providing the decisive blow.

The 2010s: England’s Away Triumph and Australia’s Response

The 2010–11 series in Australia stands as one of England’s proudest achievements. Led by Andrew Strauss, with Alastair Cook in the form of his life, England won 3–1. Cook scored an astonishing 766 runs in the series, dominating Australia’s bowlers. It was England’s first Ashes series win in Australia since 1986–87.

Back at home in 2013, England won 3–0, though rain-affected matches dulled some of the excitement. Later that year, the teams met again in Australia for the 2013–14 series, which produced another Australian whitewash. Mitchell Johnson’s fiery pace, often exceeding 95 mph, terrorised England’s batsmen and helped Australia to a 5–0 victory.

England regrouped in 2015, winning 3–2 in another closely contested series. Joe Root established himself as a world-class batsman, while Broad and Anderson continued to lead the bowling attack. Yet the momentum shifted again in 2017–18 when Steve Smith’s magnificent batting led Australia to a 4–0 win at home.

The 2019 series in England was one of the most dramatic in Ashes history. Steve Smith, returning from a ball-tampering ban, was unstoppable, scoring 774 runs despite missing a Test through concussion. Ben Stokes’s miraculous 135 not out at Headingley, where he guided England to victory from an impossible position, became an instant classic. The series ended 2–2, allowing Australia to retain the urn.

The 2020s: Retentions and Renewed Drama

The 2021–22 Ashes in Australia were one-sided. England struggled with fragile batting and inconsistent bowling, while Australia, captained by Pat Cummins, dominated. Australia won 4–0, with Travis Head emerging as a key player.

In 2023, the Ashes returned to England in one of the most eagerly anticipated series of recent times. England, under the aggressive Bazball philosophy of coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes, promised fearless cricket. The result was a series of thrilling matches played at high tempo. Australia won the first two Tests, but England fought back to level the series 2–2. Rain in the fourth Test arguably cost England a chance at victory. Although the series was drawn, Australia retained the urn. It was a reminder that even in an age dominated by Twenty20 leagues, the Ashes could still capture the world’s attention.

Complete Winners List, 1980–2023 (Summary)

Chronological Ashes Results

19th Century

• 1882: England (1 Test) – Australia won (1–0)

• 1882–83: Australia – England won (2–1)

• 1884: England – England won (1–0, 2 drawn)

• 1884–85: Australia – Drawn (2–2, 1 drawn) – England retained

• 1886: England – England won (3–0)

• 1887–88: Australia – England won (2–1)

• 1890: England – England won (2–0, 1 drawn)

• 1891–92: Australia – Australia won (2–1)

• 1893: England – England won (2–1)

• 1894–95: Australia – England won (3–2)

• 1896: England – England won (2–1)

• 1897–98: Australia – Australia won (4–1)

• 1899: England – Australia won (1–0, 4 drawn)

Early 20th Century

• 1901–02: Australia – Australia won (4–1)

• 1902: England – Australia won (2–1, 2 drawn)

• 1903–04: Australia – England won (3–2)

• 1905: England – England won (2–0, 3 drawn)

• 1907–08: Australia – Australia won (4–1)

• 1909: England – Australia won (2–1, 2 drawn)

• 1911–12: Australia – England won (4–1)

• 1912: England (Triangular Tournament) – England retained

• 1920–21: Australia – Australia won (5–0)

• 1921: England – Australia won (3–0, 2 drawn)

• 1924–25: Australia – Australia won (4–1)

• 1926: England – Drawn (1–1, 3 drawn) – Australia retained

• 1928–29: Australia – England won (4–1)

• 1930: England – Australia won (2–1, 2 drawn)

• 1932–33: Australia – England won (4–1, Bodyline series)

• 1934: England – Australia won (2–1, 2 drawn)

• 1936–37: Australia – Australia won (3–2)

• 1938: England – England won (1–0, 4 drawn)

Post-War Era

• 1946–47: Australia – Australia won (3–0, 2 drawn)

• 1948: England – Australia won (4–0, The Invincibles)

• 1950–51: Australia – Australia won (4–1)

• 1953: England – England won (1–0, 4 drawn)

• 1954–55: Australia – England won (3–1, 1 drawn)

• 1956: England – England won (2–1, 2 drawn)

• 1958–59: Australia – Australia won (4–0, 1 drawn)

• 1961: England – Australia won (2–1, 2 drawn)

• 1962–63: Australia – Drawn (1–1, 3 drawn) – Australia retained

• 1964: England – Drawn (1–1, 3 drawn) – Australia retained

• 1965–66: Australia – Drawn (1–1, 3 drawn) – Australia retained

• 1968: England – England won (2–1, 2 drawn)

• 1970–71: Australia – England won (2–0, 4 drawn)

• 1972: England – Drawn (2–2, 1 drawn) – England retained

• 1974–75: Australia – Australia won (4–1)

• 1975: England – Australia won (1–0, 3 drawn)

• 1977: England – England won (3–0, 2 drawn)

• 1978–79: Australia – England won (5–1)

• 1981: England – England won (3–1, Botham’s Ashes)

• 1982–83: Australia – England won (2–1)

• 1985: England – England won (3–1, 2 drawn)

• 1986–87: Australia – England won (2–1, 1 drawn)

• 1989: England – Australia won (4–0, 1 drawn)

1990s–2000s

• 1990–91: Australia – Australia won (3–0, 2 drawn)

• 1993: England – Australia won (4–1)

• 1994–95: Australia – Australia won (3–1, 1 drawn)

• 1997: England – Australia won (3–2)

• 1998–99: Australia – Australia won (3–1, 1 drawn)

• 2001: England – Australia won (4–1)

• 2002–03: Australia – Australia won (4–1)

• 2005: England – England won (2–1)

• 2006–07: Australia – Australia won (5–0)

• 2009: England – England won (2–1)

• 2010–11: Australia – England won (3–1)

• 2013: England – England won (3–0, 2 drawn)

• 2013–14: Australia – Australia won (5–0)

Recent Series

• • 2015: England – England won (3–2)

  • 2017–18: Australia – Australia won (4–0, 1 drawn)

  • 2019: England – Drawn (2–2, 1 drawn) – Australia retained

  • 2021–22: Australia – Australia won (4–0, 1 drawn)

  • 2023: England – Drawn (2–2, 1 drawn) – Australia retained

Patterns and Trends

From the 1980s onward, the balance tilted strongly towards Australia. After Botham’s heroics, England struggled for consistency, and Australia embarked on two decades of dominance fuelled by Warne, McGrath, and Ponting. England’s revival in 2005 broke the drought, but it was Australia who claimed more series across the modern era.

Drawn series have become more significant in recent years, with Australia retaining the urn in 2019 and 2023 without outright victory. This trend reflects how closely matched the sides have become and how the retention rule has shaped the modern rivalry.

Notable Modern Ashes Moments

• Botham’s 1981 heroics at Headingley.

• Shane Warne’s “Ball of the Century” in 1993.

• England’s 2005 triumph revived Test cricket worldwide.

• Mitchell Johnson’s devastating bowling in 2013–14.

• Ben Stokes’s miracle innings at Headingley in 2019.

• The 2023 Bazball series, redefining how Test cricket can be played.

Looking Ahead: The 2025–26 Ashes

The next Ashes series is set for the 2025–26 Australian summer. Australia are the current holder, having retained the urn in 2019 and 2023.

For England, the key question is whether they can win an away Ashes for the first time since 2010–11. Ben Stokes’s leadership and the Bazball philosophy will be tested on Australian pitches, where pace and bounce have often exposed English batting frailties. For Australia, much rests on whether Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Pat Cummins remain at their peak, and whether emerging talents can carry forward the legacy.

As always, the Ashes will be about more than cricket. It will be about pride, history, and the chance to add a new chapter to a rivalry that has already spanned nearly 150 years.

Conclusion: Winners, Legacy, and the Next Chapter

Since that fateful day in 1882, the Ashes have been the heartbeat of Test cricket. The winners' list is more than a tally of results; it is a narrative of cricket itself. It charts England’s early dominance, Australia’s golden eras, the controversies of Bodyline, the legends of Bradman and Botham, the artistry of Warne, and the drama of Stokes.

By 2023, Australia led the overall count with 34 series wins to England’s 32, with 6 drawn series. The rivalry remains as tight as ever, and every contest continues to shape the legacy of both nations.

The Ashes began as a joke in a newspaper. Today, it is the most treasured prize in cricket. As the 2025–26 series approaches, the anticipation builds once more. The urn may be tiny, but the story it represents is vast — and it will continue to grow with each delivery bowled, each century scored, and each wicket taken in the oldest and greatest rivalry in cricket.