England in Australia 2021/22

The Ashes is a men’s Test cricket series contested between England and Australia. It stands as the oldest bilateral rivalry in the sport, originating from a satirical obituary published in The Sporting Times in August 1882. That piece declared English cricket had ‘died’ and its ‘ashes’ would be taken to Australia after the visitors secured their first Test victory on English soil at The Oval. The first official series followed in England in 1882–83.

The contest centres on a small porcelain urn presented to the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in 1927. Housed at Lord’s, the original sits in a glass case; winning teams receive a replica. The series traditionally consists of five Test matches, although the number has varied throughout history. If the series ends in a draw, the team currently holding the trophy retains possession. This retention rule adds a layer of continuity to the rivalry, ensuring the physical symbol of dominance persists even when no outright winner emerges from the on-field contest.

Historical records show Australia has won the most series, with 35 victories plus six retentions, while England has claimed 32 wins. As of the conclusion of the 2025–26 series, Australia holds the Ashes after winning the series 4–1. The competition is distinct due to its exclusive two-nation format. It operates as a bilateral series rather than a tournament with multiple participants, setting it apart from league competitions that involve numerous teams competing simultaneously.

A parallel competition exists for women, known as the Women’s Ashes. First played in 1934–35, the trophy was established later in 1998 by Norma Izard. This multi-format series comprises a Test match, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). The winner is determined by an aggregate points system across all formats, contrasting with the single-trophy retention method used in the men’s version.