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AUS vs ENG Head-to-Head Stats in Test

Originally posted on Crictoday | Last updated Dec 12, 2025 7:43 AM ET

When it comes to the biggest rivalry in the game of cricket, the Ashes Test series between Australia and England is the first that comes to mind. This historic contest has a legacy of over 100 years, and the reason it remains the most celebrated Test series in the world is the intense competition and high-voltage matches it produces. Every Ashes edition is filled with drama, passion, and unforgettable moments that unfold across the traditional five-match Test series.

Traditionally contested over five gripping Test matches, the Ashes series travels between England and Australia every two years. Since their earliest encounters, the two teams have met in roughly 361 Tests, with Australia winning 152 and England claiming 112. The remaining 97 matches have ended in draws, a reflection of earlier eras when the traditional style of Test cricket often favoured a cautious stalemate over a risky defeat.

With a history of over 100 years, the Ashes has delivered some of the most iconic moments in the sport. Don Bradman’s dominance in the 1930s, Ian Botham’s extraordinary heroics in 1981, Shane Warne’s famous Ball of the Century and Ben Stokes’ incredible rescue act at Headingley in 2019 all stand as defining chapters of this rivalry. The Ashes is far more than a cricket series. It is a living tradition that binds players and fans across eras. Each contest adds new emotion, new drama and new memories, keeping the rivalry alive as one of the most compelling spectacles in the world of Test cricket.

How did a test match series get the name ‘Ashes’?

The story of the Ashes is one of sport’s most fascinating tales. Its origins date back to 1882 after a historic Test match between England and Australia at The Oval. In that match, Australia defeated England on English soil for the very first time. The defeat created a sense of national embarrassment in England, where cricket was more than a sport and stood as a symbol of dignity and cultural pride. Soon after the loss, a satirical obituary appeared in the Sporting Times. It stated that English cricket had died and that its body would be cremated, with the ashes taken to Australia. This mock obituary sparked the idea of “the Ashes.”

Source: ICC/Twitter

Later that same year, England travelled to Australia for another series. Their captain, Ivo Bligh, took the challenge to heart and promised that he would bring back the so-called ashes. During the tour, Bligh and his teammates were welcomed with warmth and humour by their Australian hosts. In one of the small social gatherings held during the series, a tiny urn was presented to Bligh. According to popular belief, it contains the burnt remains of either a cricket bail or a piece of fabric belonging to one of the women who took part in the lighthearted ceremony.

Since then, the small urn has come to be regarded as the symbolic trophy of the five match Ashes Test series. It represents pride, rivalry and the true spirit of cricket shared between England and Australia. What began as a harmless joke in a newspaper grew slowly into one of the most treasured traditions in the sport.

How Many Times Have Australia and England Played in a Test?

Australia and England are two of the oldest teams in the history of international cricket, and their rivalry stretches back more than one hundred and fifty years. Over this long journey, they have faced each other in roughly 361 Test matches. Australia has won 152 of those encounters, while England has secured 112 victories. The remaining ninety seven Tests have ended in draws.

Matches Played	Australia won	England Won	Tie	Draw
361	152	112	N/A	97

First Meeting: Australia and England played the first Test match in cricket history on 15 March 1877 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. England had travelled to Australia for what would become a landmark moment, the birth of international cricket. Batting first, Australia posted 265 runs, led by a remarkable innings from opener Charles Bannerman, who scored 165 before retiring hurt. England, in response, could only manage 196 runs, struggling to match the discipline and precision of the Australian bowlers. In the second innings, Australia added 104 runs, setting England a target of 154. They were bowled out for 108, handing Australia a famous 45-run victory in the first-ever international Test match.

Last Meeting: England and Australia last met in the fifth and final Test of the 2023 Ashes series, played at The Oval on 31 July 2023. Batting first, England posted a competitive total of 283, powered by a fighting 85 off 91 balls from Harry Brook. Australia replied with 295, gaining a slender lead of 10 runs and setting up a tense second half of the match.

In their second innings, the English batters displayed remarkable resilience and discipline. All of the top six contributed more than forty runs, allowing England to build a strong total and set Australia a challenging target of 384. Australia began their chase with determination but could only manage 334 runs in the final innings. With this victory, England levelled the series at two all, bringing the 2023 Ashes to a dramatic and fittingly competitive end.