For anyone new to cricket, the Ashes may seem like a mysterious and historic rivalry whispered about in pubs which has been heightened on television and celebrated with almost mythical reverence. To seasoned fans meanwhile, it is the pinnacle of the sport, a contest which captures the hearts and minds across two nations.
If you are just beginning your venture into the world of cricket, understanding the Ashes will open the door to one of sport's most enduring rivalries - a story that is full of drama, passion and timeless competition. Here is your guide to the Ashes Cricket, written to help newbies discover exactly what makes the competition so special.
How Did the Ashes Start?
The story of the Ashes Cricket competition began way back in 1882 at the Oval in London. Australia, still considered to be underdogs in the international cricket world at the time, shocked England by winning a test match on British soil. The defeat was such a blow to the England side that a satirical obituary appeared in the newspaper declaring that English cricket had died and "the body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia".
Shortly afterward, when England toured Australia, a small terracotta urn filled with ashes was presented to the English Captain by a group of Melbourne women. That urn became the symbol of the contest, and ever since then, the series between England and Australia has been known simply as 'The Ashes".
The Rivalry Between England & Australia in Cricket
Few sporting rivalries can match the intensity of the Ashes. On one side stands England, the birthplace of cricket, proud of its traditions and history. On the other stands Australia, a nation that embraced the game and used it to forge its own sporting identity.
For over a century, the Ashes has gone far beyond a cricket series. It is woven into the cultural fabric of both countries. Victories are cherished for generations, defeats are remembered with equal intensity. Legends are made in the heat of battle.
What makes the Ashes so gripping is the balance; neither side has ever been completely dominant for too long. The Ashes continue to swing back and forth, ensuring that every series is unpredictable and fiercely contested.
Why is the Ashes Cricket so Important?
For cricket fans, the Ashes is the ultimate test. Winning a world cup brings glory, but success in the Ashes carries with it an unmatched sense of prestige. It represents history, tradition and most importantly, the relentless pursuit of bragging rights over the fiercest of rivals.
The Ashes is not just about cricket, it is about national pride. Every delivery, every run, every wicket is watched by millions, dissected by commentators and remembered for years thereafter. For players, being part of the Ashes is an honour and a career defining experience. For fans, it is a chance to witness unforgettable drama unfold over weeks of gripping Test Match Cricket.
How Many Test Matches in the Ashes?
The Ashes is always contested as a series of Test matches. A Test match is the longest form of cricket, played over five days, with each team battling and bowling twice if time allows. To newcomers, the format may sound unusual, but it is this very length that makes Test cricket, and the Ashes in particular, so enthralling. The contest is a battle of patience, skill, mental toughness and endurance.
Traditionally, the Ashes consists of five Test matches. With each Test possibly lasting up to five days, the Ashes series can stretch to over six weeks in length. To win the series, a team must secure more Test victories than the opposition. If the series ends in a draw, the team currently holding the Ashes retains them. This rule ensures that even drawn series carry tension right up until the final ball.
When Does the Ashes Take Place?
The Ashes alternates between England and Australia, with each series hosted every two years. When played in England, the matches typically take place during the British summer, from June to August. When the series heads Down Under to Australia, it is held in the Australian Summer from November to January.
This alternating cycle adds to the anticipation. Fans eagerly await the chance to see their team either defend or reclaim the urn, while travelling sports fans have the perfect excuse to experience the unique atmosphere of cricket in another country on a luxury cricket holiday.
How is the Host Country Decided?
The Ashes hosting duties are straightforward: England and Australia take turns. Every two years, the series switches location. This means that fans in both countries can plan ahead, knowing exactly when their chance will come to watch the drama unfold on home soil and also gives them plenty of time to book their next cricket holiday.
The next Ashes Cricket tournament is being held in Australia with the first Test match taking place between 21st and 25th November 2025. This first Test match will take place for the first time at the Perth Stadium, making it only the eighth different Australian venue to have hosted an Ashes Test Match. It is also the first time that Australia have hosted a home Ashes series away from Brisbane's Gabba stadium since the 1982-3 Ashes Series. This will host the 2nd Test match of the series instead on 4th - 8th December.
The other Ashes test matches will be held at the Adelaide Oval (17th - 21st December), Melbourne Cricket Ground (26th - 30th December) and Sydney Cricket Ground (4th-8th January). You can book your place in the grandstands with Elegant Sports who will be offering tailor made Cricket holiday packages to the event.
The Ashes Prize & Trophy
The original Ashes urn, believed to contain the ashes of a cricket ball, is a delicate object and is kept safely at the MCC Museum at Lord's in London. Instead of passing the urn back and forth, the winners of the series receive a replica trophy.
However, for players and fans alike, it is not the physical prize that matters. It is the honour of holding the Ashes which really matters most.
That tiny urn has come to represent more than just sport-it symbolises over a century of rivalry, pride, and achievement. Its modest size is in stark contrast to the weight of history and significance that it carries.
Which Country Has Won the Most Ashes Series?
Over the long history of the Ashes, Australia has enjoyed slightly more success than England, winning more series overall. In total, Australia has won 34 Ashes tournaments compared to 32 for England. 6 Ashes tournaments have resulted in a draw, with the 2019 and 2023 series both falling into this category.
Over the years, the balance of power has never been one-sided for too long, with both England and Australia having their own glorious eras of dominance. In fact, both countries have won a record 8 consecutive series, with England doing this first between 1882-83 and 1890, and Australia matching the record with wins between 1989 and 2002-03.
Australia has had a fair chunk more success in the Women's Ashes though, winning 11 series compared with 6 wins for England.
Most Successful Cricket Players at the Ashes
Some of the greatest cricket players in history have built their reputations on the Ashes stage. For Australia, names such as Sir Donald Bradman, Shane Warne and Steve Waugh echo through time. For England, legends such as Sir Ian Botham, Freddie Flintoff and Alastair Cook have won legions of fans through unforgettable performances.
For Australia, Don Bradman, perhaps the greatest batsman ever, tormented England during the 1930s and 1940s, scoring runs with unmatched consistency. Shane Warne, with his magical leg-spin, produced deliveries still replayed in highlight reels decades later.
For England, Sir Ian Botham's heroics in the 1981 series, often called "Botham's Ashes", defined a generation, as he almost single handedly turned matches in England's favour. More recently, players like Freddie Flintoff in 2005 and Ben Stokes in 2019 have captured the imagination with performances that will live forever in cricketing folklore.
The magic moments these players have created are no statistics; they are pieces of sporting folklore that are remembered and retold every time the two sides meet. This ultimately makes these players immortal.
Experience the Ashes with Elegant Resorts
The Ashes is more than just a series of cricket matches-it is an event that brings together history, culture, and sporting excellence. Whether played under the English sun or beneath Australia's blue skies, it offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience for fans.
For those new to cricket, there is no better way to immerse yourself in the sport than by seeing the Ashes live. Elegant Sports can make that dream a reality, curating a luxury travel experience that combines world-class cricket with the finest accommodations and unforgettable hospitality.
Imagine sitting in the stands as the first ball of an Ashes Test is bowled, feeling the energy of the crowd, and knowing you are part of something truly historic. Don't just read about the Ashes, live it. Book your tailor made Ashes
cricket holiday with Elegant Sports today.