The Ashes

The Ashes is one of the oldest and most celebrated rivalries in international cricket, contested between England and Australia in a five-Test series. The 2027 Ashes series will be a particularly historic edition, marking 150 years since the first Test match between the two nations in 1877. The series begins with a special 150th Anniversary Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in March 2027 before the traditional five-match Ashes series in England during June and July.

The 2027 Ashes schedule features major cricket grounds in Australia and England. The 150th Anniversary Test will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from 11 March 2027, followed by England hosting Australia for five Rothesay Ashes Tests at Trent Bridge, Lord's, Edgbaston, The Rose Bowl and the Kia Oval.

History of The Ashes

The Ashes rivalry began in 1882 after Australia defeated England at The Oval in London. A famous satirical obituary declared that English cricket had died and that "the body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia." The phrase gave birth to the name The Ashes and eventually became one of the most recognisable trophies in world sport.

1877: The First Test Match

The first officially recognised Test match between England and Australia was played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in March 1877. Australia won the historic match by 45 runs, establishing the foundation of what would become the most famous rivalry in Test cricket.

1882: The Birth of The Ashes

Australia's victory over England at The Oval in 1882 created the legend of The Ashes. The famous newspaper obituary mocking the death of English cricket inspired the story that the ashes of English cricket would be taken to Australia, creating the symbolic rivalry that continues today.

1890s–1900s: The Ashes Becomes a Tradition

Regular Test series between England and Australia established The Ashes as a major fixture on the international cricket calendar. Both countries produced legendary cricketers, while venues such as Lord's, The Oval and the Melbourne Cricket Ground became closely associated with the rivalry.

1930s: Bradman and the Bodyline Series

The 1932–33 Ashes series produced one of the most famous and controversial chapters in cricket history. England used the Bodyline tactic to counter Australia's legendary batsman Don Bradman. The series generated intense debate and remains one of the defining moments in Ashes history.

1940s–1960s: Post-War Ashes Battles

Following the Second World War, England and Australia resumed their regular Test rivalry. The Ashes continued to attract huge audiences, with both nations producing outstanding batsmen, fast bowlers and all-rounders. Australia's dominant teams and England's determined challenges created numerous memorable series.

1970s: A New Era of Ashes Cricket

The 1970s brought major changes to international cricket and the Ashes. Australia's fast bowlers and powerful batting line-ups produced several dominant performances, while England continued to develop teams capable of challenging their rivals. The decade also saw the emergence of Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket, which changed professional cricket significantly.

1981: Botham's Ashes

The 1981 Ashes series in England became one of the most famous Test series ever played. England all-rounder Ian Botham produced a series of remarkable performances, particularly at Headingley, where England recovered from a difficult position to defeat Australia. The series became known as "Botham's Ashes" and remains a defining chapter in the rivalry.

1980s–1990s: Australian Dominance

Australia gradually established a period of significant Ashes dominance during the late 1980s and 1990s. Players such as Allan Border, Mark Taylor, Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath helped Australia become one of the strongest Test teams in the world. England struggled to regain the Ashes during much of this period.

2005: One of the Greatest Ashes Series

The 2005 Ashes series in England is widely regarded as one of the greatest Test series in cricket history. England, led by Michael Vaughan and inspired by players including Andrew Flintoff, Andrew Strauss, Kevin Pietersen and Steve Harmison, defeated Australia 2–1 in a dramatic series featuring several unforgettable matches.

2006–07: Australia Regains the Ashes

Australia responded strongly in the 2006–07 series, winning all five Tests on home soil. The dominant performance restored Australia's control of the rivalry and demonstrated the strength of a team featuring Ricky Ponting, Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Matthew Hayden.

2009–2013: Ashes Swings Between the Rivals

England regained the Ashes in 2009 before successfully defending them in Australia during the 2010–11 series. Australia then reclaimed the urn in 2013–14 with a 5–0 victory. The period demonstrated how quickly momentum could shift between the two traditional rivals.

2015: England Wins at Home

England regained the Ashes in 2015 with a 3–2 series victory. The contest featured outstanding performances from players including Joe Root, Stuart Broad and Ben Stokes, while Australia's experienced squad continued to provide a major challenge throughout the series.

2017–18: Australia Retains the Ashes

Australia reclaimed the Ashes in 2017–18 with a dominant 4–0 series victory on home soil. Steve Smith produced outstanding batting performances, while Australia's pace attack consistently challenged England's batsmen throughout the series.

2019: A Dramatic Ashes Series

The 2019 Ashes in England ended in a 2–2 draw, allowing Australia to retain the urn. The series featured one of the greatest individual performances in Ashes history when Ben Stokes produced an extraordinary unbeaten innings at Headingley to lead England to a famous one-wicket victory.

2021–22: Australia Dominates at Home

Australia won the 2021–22 Ashes series 4–0 on home soil. England struggled against Australia's bowling attack and batting depth, while Pat Cummins, Scott Boland and other members of the Australian side played important roles in securing the series.

2023: A Memorable Ashes in England

The 2023 Ashes series in England finished 2–2, with Australia retaining the urn after winning the opening two Tests. England's aggressive Bazball approach produced several dramatic contests, including a remarkable victory at Headingley and a tense final Test at The Oval.

2027 Ashes 150th Anniversary Test

The 2027 Ashes begins with a special 150th Anniversary Test between Australia and England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The match is scheduled to start on 11 March 2027 and commemorates 150 years since the historic first Test between the two nations was played at the same venue in 1877.

Australia vs England 150th Anniversary Test tickets are available for the five scheduled days, with the match beginning on Thursday 11 March and continuing through Sunday 14 March, with the fifth-day position dependent on the progress of the Test.

2027 Ashes Series in England

After the anniversary Test in Melbourne, the traditional five-match 2027 Ashes series will take place in England. The first Test is scheduled for 18 June 2027 at Trent Bridge in Nottingham, followed by the second Test at Lord's in London on 30 June.

The third Test will be played at Edgbaston in Birmingham from 8 July 2027, followed by the fourth Test at The Rose Bowl in Southampton from 21 July. The series concludes with the fifth Test at the Kia Oval in Kennington from 29 July 2027.

England vs Australia 1st Test tickets at Trent Bridge, 2nd Test tickets at Lord's, 3rd Test tickets at Edgbaston, 4th Test tickets at The Rose Bowl and 5th Test tickets at the Kia Oval give supporters the opportunity to follow the full Ashes series across England.

Why Watch The Ashes?

The Ashes combines more than 140 years of cricketing history with the intensity of a modern Test rivalry. Legendary players, dramatic comebacks, hostile bowling spells and unforgettable individual performances have made England vs Australia one of the most anticipated fixtures in international sport.

The 2027 edition promises to be particularly significant because of the 150th Anniversary Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. With the series then moving to some of England's most historic cricket venues, supporters can experience another major chapter in the long-running story of The Ashes.

The Ashes Tickets

Fans can explore The Ashes tickets for the 2027 Australia vs England 150th Anniversary Test in Melbourne and the five-match Ashes series in England. From the historic Melbourne Cricket Ground to Trent Bridge, Lord's, Edgbaston, The Rose Bowl and the Kia Oval, the 2027 Ashes offers cricket supporters the opportunity to experience this iconic rivalry live.