The Ashes – What you should know!

Nov 12 2010

Since March 1877, England and Australia have been battling it out in Test cricket matches although ‘The Ashes’, as we now know them, only began in 1882 following an unexpected and devastating home defeat for England.

The day after the loss- which was England’s first ever at home- a mock obituary appeared in The Sporting Times, stating that English cricket was in ashes. This prompted the then England captain Ivo Bligh to publicly promise to win back the Ashes during the next Australian tour. To the delight of the British public, he succeeded and the victory was marked by the presentation of an urn, which is rumoured to have contained the ashes of the equipment used in the series, hence what we now know to be the Ashes.

Years later, after England’s win in the extremely closely fought and now legendary 2005 series, the Ashes have become even more competitive and regained massive popularity. Australia won back the Ashes in 2006-07, with England regaining them in last year’s 2009 series. Who will prevail this time around is anyone’s guess, but to see how the two teams have compared statistically from the start of the Ashes in 1882 until last year’s 2009 series, here are some Ashes statistics comparing England VS Australia:

England Australia

Ashes series won 29 of 65, 5 drawn (England retaining the Ashes once) 31 of 65, 5 drawn (Australia retaining the Ashes 4 times)

Matches won 97 of 305 (drew 86) 122 of 305 (drew 86)

Win Loss ratio 0.79 1.25

Runs scored 140153 143401

Highest Inning Score 364 334

Batting Average 28.08 29.83

Hundreds Scored 215 274

Wickets Taken 4624 4850

Best bowling in an innings 10/53 9/121

Different players 408 335

Bowl average 31.23 29.12

Five wickets in an inns 230 259

Catches taken 2695 2816

Stumpings made 93 134

Highest team score 903 729

Average Runs per wicket 29.68 31.36

Lowest completed score 45 36

England versus Australia is now one of sport’s most celebrated rivalries and cricket is certainly one of the most hotly contested disciplines. Ashes tickets for the 2010-2011 series are on-sale now, with the matches taking place in Australia between 25th November and 6th February. If you’d rather stick to home comforts, you can catch a glimpse of the action when England take on other great cricketing nations at the Oval or at Lords. For all England cricket tickets, visit www.getmein.com