The Ashes, ENG vs AUS: Top 5 run-scorers in Ashes History

The Ashes 2023: Top 5 run-getters in Ashes History

The Ashes is a Test series played between two of the giants of world cricket - England and Australia. The origin of the famous series lies in Australia's tour of England in 1882 when the tourists beat the hosts to register their first Test victory over them. Following the match, the English news outlet, The Sporting Times had stated that English cricket had died, and "the body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia".

The first edition of the series was played in the 1882/83 season and was won by England by a margin of 2-1. England won the first eight Ashes series before Australia finally won the series in the 1891/92 season. The series has witnessed an intense rivalry over the years with players from the countries giving their all to ensure that their respective teams retain the famous urn.

Through this piece, we are taking a look at such players who have made a big impact in The Ashes with their batting. We are presenting to you the five highest run-scorers in the series' history.

The Ashes 2023: Top 5 run-getters in Ashes History

5. Steven Smith

Steven Smith is the only active player in this list and this just shows how big an impact he has had in the Ashes in recent years. The former Australia skipper began his international career predominantly as a leg-spinner before taking the cricket world by storm with his batting. And it is safe to say that he has really enjoyed batting against England.

He has played 32 Ashes Tests so far and has scored 3,044 runs with the help of 11 centuries and as many half-centuries. Smith averages an impressive 59.68 against England and still has the opportunity to pile more misery on England.  

Smith also has a fantastic track record as captain in the Ashes. He has led Australia in six Ashes Tests and guided them to victory in five of those matches while the other one ended in a draw. Australia are all set to take on England in the Ashes 2023 and will be hoping that Smith delivers as per his reputation as they look to retain the Ashes.

4. Steve Waugh

At number four on this list is the former legendary Australia skipper, Steve Waugh. The legend played in 45 Ashes Tests and scored 3,173 runs at an average of 58.75. He scored 10 centuries and 14 half-centuries against England in the longest format of the game.

Waugh's record as a captain in the Ashes is also very impressive. While he managed to lead Australia in just nine Ashes Tests against England, he led them to victory in eight of them. Waugh was the captain who began Australia's dominance in world cricket in the late 90s and early 2000s. He led Australia in Tests from 1997 to 2004. The former batsman also guided Australia to the 1999 World Cup triumph.

Waugh ended his career after representing Australia in 168 Tests and 325 ODIs. He scored 10,927 runs in Tests and 7,569 runs in the 50-over format. Waugh scored 35 international centuries and 95 half-centuries. With the ball, he picked up 92 and 195 wickets in Tests and ODIs, respectively.

3. Allan Border

Former Australia captain Allan Border is third on the list. Border played 42 Ashes Tests against England and scored 3,222 runs at an average of 55.55. He scored seven centuries and a record 19 half-centuries in the Ashes. No player has managed to score more fifties than him in the history of the series. Apart from his batting, Border also made a big impression in the Tests as a captain.

He still holds the record for most wins in the Ashes as captain. The former batsman led Australia in 28 Tests and guided them to win 13 of them. Border enjoyed a glorious career and retired as one of Australia's most decorated batsmen and captains. In 1987, he led the Aussies to the first of their five World Cup titles.

 At the time of his retirement, he was Australia's most-capped player and leading run-scorer in both Tests and ODIs. He also held the world record for the number of consecutive Test appearances of 153, before England's Alastair Cook surpassed him in 2018. Overall, Border played 156 Tests for Australia, scoring 11,174 runs at an average of 50.56 with the help of 27 centuries and 63 half-centuries. He also scored more than 6,500 runs in the 273 ODIs he played.

2. Jack Hobbs

The England legend, Jack Hobbs, occupies the second spot in this prestigious list and is also the only English player on this list. He finished his illustrious Test career as the Englishman with the most number of Ashes runs and almost a century after his retirement, the record still stands. Hobbs played 41 Ashes Tests and scored an impressive 3,636 runs at an average of more than 54.

He scored a record 12 centuries and 15 half-centuries against Australia with 187 being his highest score. No England player has managed to score more centuries than him in the Ashes. Hobbs is regarded as one of the greatest England cricketers and remains one of the most decorated batters in the history of the game.

He finished his career after scoring a staggering 61,760 runs and a mind-boggling 199 centuries. He also scored 273 fifties in first-class cricket. For England, Hobbs played 61 Tests and scored 5,410 runs with the help of 15 centuries and 28 fifties.

1. Sir Donald Bradman

Legendary Donald Bradman holds the record for scoring the most runs in the Ashes. Widely regarded as the greatest batter to have graced the game, the former Australia skipper scored a staggering 5028 runs in 37 Tests at an average of 89.78 against England. He scored a record 19 centuries against England in addition to scoring 12 half-centuries.

Apart from Bradman, no other batsman from Australia and England has managed to breach the 4000-run mark in the Ashes let alone touching the 5000-run mark. Overall, Bradman holds the record for scoring the most runs, most centuries and the best batting average in the Ashes. The legendary batsman retired from Test cricket as one of the greatest if not the greatest batsman in Tests.

Bradman played 52 Tests, scoring 6,996 runs with the help of the-then record 29 centuries and 13 fifties. His average of 99.94 is still the best average in Tests and is unlikely to be broken anytime soon.

CricTracker Desk

content powered by