The Ashes started way back in 1882 when British newspaper, The Sporting Times, published an obituary article immediately after Australia’s 1882 victory at The Oval, its first Test win on English soil.
The obituary stated that English cricket had died, and “the body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia”. Then England made a vow to regain the Ashes.
Overall there have been 72 series played between the two nations with Australia holding a lead of 34 series wins, while England has won 32, and 6 series have been drawn. A draw in the Ashes means the urn will remain with the team that won the previous edition.
Australia, the current holders of the Ashes, retained the title after clinching the 2021 series 4-0 at home following the 2019 series that ended in a 2-2 draw in England.
The 2017-18 win had edged Australia slightly ahead in the head-to-head series wins against their rivals England, but the 2021-22 edition win took them even more clear in the battle.
While the series features five Test matches regularly, there have been instances when the Ashes has been decided in a 1 match, 2 match, 3 match, 6 match or even a 7-match series.
Over the years, the two sides have showcased some thrilling contest between each other and are expected to provide some more thrills in the upcoming edition down under.
Ashes winners list
| SERIES | HOSTS | MATCHES | WINNER | SERIES RESULT |
| 1882/83 | Australia | 3 | England | 2-1 |
| 1884 | England | 3 | England | 1-0 |
| 1884/85 | Australia | 5 | England | 3-2 |
| 1886 | England | 3 | England | 3-0 |
| 1886/87 | Australia | 2 | England | 2-0 |
| 1887/88 | Australia | 1 | England | 1-0 |
| 1888 | England | 3 | England | 2-1 |
| 1890 | England | 2 | England | 2-0 |
| 1891/92 | Australia | 3 | Australia | 2-1 |
| 1893 | England | 3 | England | 1-0 |
| 1894/95 | Australia | 5 | England | 3-2 |
| 1896 | England | 3 | England | 2-1 |
| 1897/98 | Australia | 5 | Australia | 4-1 |
| 1899 | England | 5 | Australia | 1-0 |
| 1901/02 | Australia | 5 | Australia | 4-1 |
| 1902 | England | 5 | Australia | 2-1 |
| 1903/04 | Australia | 5 | England | 3-2 |
| 1905 | England | 5 | England | 2-0 |
| 1907/08 | Australia | 5 | Australia | 4-1 |
| 1909 | England | 5 | Australia | 2-1 |
| 1911/12 | Australia | 5 | England | 4-1 |
| 1912 | England | 3 | England | 1-0 |
| 1920/21 | Australia | 5 | Australia | 5-0 |
| 1921 | England | 5 | Australia | 3-0 |
| 1924/25 | Australia | 5 | Australia | 4-1 |
| 1926 | England | 5 | England | 1-0 |
| 1928/29 | Australia | 5 | England | 4-1 |
| 1930 | England | 5 | Australia | 2-1 |
| 1932/33 | Australia | 5 | England | 4-1 |
| 1934 | England | 5 | Australia | 2-1 |
| 1936/37 | Australia | 5 | Australia | 3-2 |
| 1938 | England | 4 | Drawn | 1-1 |
| 1946/47 | Australia | 5 | Australia | 3-0 |
| 1948 | England | 5 | Australia | 4-0 |
| 1950/51 | Australia | 5 | Australia | 4-1 |
| 1953 | England | 5 | England | 1-0 |
| 1954/55 | Australia | 5 | England | 3-1 |
| 1956 | England | 5 | England | 2-1 |
| 1958/59 | Australia | 5 | Australia | 4-0 |
| 1961 | England | 5 | Australia | 2-1 |
| 1962/63 | Australia | 5 | Drawn | 1-1 |
| 1964 | England | 5 | Australia | 1-0 |
| 1965/66 | Australia | 5 | Drawn | 1-1 |
| 1968 | England | 5 | Drawn | 1-1 |
| 1970/71 | Australia | 7 | England | 2-0 |
| 1972 | England | 5 | Drawn | 2-2 |
| 1974/75 | Australia | 6 | Australia | 4-1 |
| 1975 | England | 4 | Australia | 1-0 |
| 1977 | England | 5 | England | 3-0 |
| 1978/79 | Australia | 6 | England | 5-1 |
| 1981 | England | 6 | England | 3-1 |
| 1982/83 | Australia | 5 | Australia | 2-1 |
| 1985 | England | 6 | England | 3-1 |
| 1986/87 | Australia | 5 | England | 2-1 |
| 1989 | England | 6 | Australia | 4-0 |
| 1990/91 | Australia | 5 | Australia | 3-0 |
| 1993 | England | 6 | Australia | 4-1 |
| 1994/95 | Australia | 5 | Australia | 3-1 |
| 1997 | England | 6 | Australia | 3-2 |
| 1998/99 | Australia | 5 | Australia | 3-1 |
| 2001 | England | 5 | Australia | 4-1 |
| 2002/03 | Australia | 5 | Australia | 4-1 |
| 2005 | England | 5 | England | 2-1 |
| 2006/07 | Australia | 5 | Australia | 5-0 |
| 2009 | England | 5 | England | 2-1 |
| 2010/11 | Australia | 5 | England | 3-1 |
| 2013 | England | 5 | England | 3-0 |
| 2013/14 | Australia | 5 | Australia | 5-0 |
| 2015 | England | 5 | England | 3-2 |
| 2017/18 | Australia | 5 | Australia | 4-0 |
| 2019 | England | 5 | Drawn | 2-2 |
| 2021/22 | Australia | 5 | Australia | 4-0 |