5 best Ashes performers for Australia

The Ashes is one of the most decorated trophies in world cricket. It is also regarded as the most historic and important Test series in the cricketing calendar.

In 1877, England and Australia played first ever Test in the history of the game. But, it was only in 1882 that the series was named the Ashes. And it has been even as far as series results are concerned, with Australia and England both winning 32 each.

With England and Australia set to resume the rivalry this November (70th Ashes), let’s have a glance at the top 5 Australian stars who have been standout performers in the Ashes.

Honourable Mentions – Dennis Lilee, Mark Taylor, Bill Lawry, Hugh Trumble

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#5 Steve Waugh

Steve Waugh is perhaps one of the most successful Ashes skippers of all time. He has a staggering win percentage of 88.88% (8 wins in 9 Tests). In his career, Steve Waugh was never on the losing side of an Ashes series.

He loved batting against England. His first two centuries came in the Ashes (177 and 126). Again, in the 1997 Ashes, the elder Waugh brother notched up a pair of centuries to inflict a heavy defeat on England in the third Test.

The momentum of the series changed dramatically as Australia won the 4th and the 5th Test to clinch the urn after being 1-0 down.

He is also the fourth highest run-getter in the history of the Ashes. With 3173 runs in 45 Tests, Waugh had a brilliant average of 58.75 against England showing how much he liked playing the Ashes. Also, 10 out of his 32 Test centuries have come against England.

#4 Allan Border

Allan Border revolutionized Australian cricket.

From winning the World Cup in 1987 to winning two back-to-back Ashes (both home and away) in 1989 and 1990-91, Australia started to dominate world cricket under Allan Border. He has played most games as captain in the Ashes (28 Tests) – winning 13, the most by any captain in the Ashes, and losing 6.

As a batsman, he was even better. 3222 runs (almost 30% of his Test runs) in 73 innings at an average 55.55, he is the 3rd highest run-getter in the Ashes.

One of his two double hundreds – 200 came against England in his last Ashes. In that series, he scored 433 runs in 9 innings helping Australia retain the urn. He also scored 7 hundreds and 19 fifties against England in his career.

#3 Glenn McGrath

McGrath picked up his 500th Test wicket in the 2005 Ashes.

Statistically, Glenn McGrath was the greatest Test fast bowler, taking 563 wickets ( highest for a fast bowler and fourth highest overall) in a 124-Test career.

Out these staggering 563 Test scalps, almost 30% of his career Test wickets against England. He formed a splendid partnership with Warne dominating most teams.

McGrath’s Ashes record is phenomenal. He has taken 157 wickets at an average of 20.92 and a strike-rate of 46. 10 of his 29 five-wicket hauls have come against England. In 1997 he rattled the English batsmen picking up 36 wickets helping Australia win a closely contested series.

This series included 8/38 at Lord’s – which was his first spell on English soil. Except for two Tests in 2005, McGrath never missed an Ashes Test in his career.

#2 Shane Warne

Warne reached his landmark -700 wicket-mark in Melbourne in 2007.

Shane Warne was always in the headlines during his playing days, either for on-field achievements or some off-field mishaps. But make no mistake, he was a star cricketer.

Warne was one of the spinners who made spin bowling (especially leg-spin) look beautiful. He started off badly but soon came into his own and by the time he finished his career he was the second highest wicket-taker (708) in Test match history.

He had a special connection with England. Warne’s first ball in Ashes cricket is still one of the best deliveries bowled in Test cricket.

It later became the ‘Ball of the Century’ as he bowled Mike Gatting with a jaffa. He hasn’t looked back since. He has picked up a staggering 195 wickets against England at a stunning average and strike-rate (23.25 and 55.1 respectively).

His best figures (8/71) in an innings also came against England at Brisbane in 1994. Warne enjoyed a stellar Ashes career as he finished as the highest wicket-taker in Ashes history.

#1 Sir Don Bradman

The greatest ever batsman to have played the game - Don Bradman.

There is one number you would associate with Sir Don Bradman and that is 99.94! In his last Test, he needed four runs to finish his career with an average of 100 and he fell for a duck. But he still is the best Test batsman to have ever played the game.

Out of the 52 Tests, he played in his career, 37 were against England. He scored heavily against his Ashes rivals. 63 innings, 5028 runs at an average touching 90 are mind-blowing numbers.

Also, 19 out of his 29 Test hundreds and 12 out of his 13 Test half-centuries have come against England. He is by far the best Ashes batsman (statistically and consistency-wise as well) and the highest run-scorer in the history of the Ashes.