One of sport’s oldest rivalries resumes on Wednesday night when England take on Australia in the first Ashes Test at The Gabba. The first match between the two took place in 1882 and plenty has happened since then.
We’ve had a look at the numbers between one of the sporting highlights of the year.
0
In his final Test match, Don Bradman was bowled for a duck, leaving him with a career average of 99.94. He needed to score just four runs to end his career with an average of over 100.
5
The number of Tests in and Ashes series. Five is also the number of drawn series’ between the two teams.
19
Don Bradman holds the record for the most hundreds in Ashes history with 19.
32
Both countries have won the series 32 times.
37
The number of wickets taken by Mitchell Johnson in England’s last tour of Australia in 2013/14.
54
Ian Botham has the most catches in Ashes history with 54.
69
The number of Ashes series that have taken place since its inception in 1882.
99.94
The Don’s career average, the highest in Test match history.
195
Shane Warne holds the record for the most wickets taken in Ashes matches, with 195.
212
Englishmen have scored 212 centuries in Ashes matches, of which 10 of those have been scores over 200.
264
Australians have made 264 centuries in Ashes matches, of which 23 have been scores over 200.
364
Len Hutton holds the record for the highest individual score in Ashes history, with 364 scored at The Oval in 1938.
766
The number of runs scored by England opener Alastair Cook on England’s last successful Ashes tour of Australia in 2010/11.
1882
1882 was the year that the term “The Ashes” was coined. The Sporting Times wrote an obituary following Australia’s victory at The Oval, stating that English cricket had died and “the body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia.”
2005
2005 saw one of the greatest Test series of all-time when England beat Australia 2-1 to win the Ashes for the first time since 1986/87. The second Test at Edgbaston will go down as one of the best in history.
5,028
Bradman again holds the record for most runs scored in Ashes history.
