Despite not winning back-to-back Ashes series since 2002/03, Australia have had more than their fair share of happy Ashes memories.
Having won 40.6% of the Tests between the two – England have won just 32.1% - Australia have a long history of Ashes glory to look back on.
Their periods of success have often become more than that – more so than England, Australia have dominated the Ashes for long spells.
The late 1890s and early 1900s were Australia’s. The 1930s and 1940s were all Australia’s. The 1960s were Australia’s. The 1990s and early 2000s were Australia’s.
As you might imagine, there have been some special moments and magnificent series through those decades of Ashes supremacy.
Naturally, many of Australia’s fondest memories come soon after, or just before, some of England’s greatest Ashes moments.
The toing and froing of the urn is what makes the rivalry so significant, the ending of droughts, the bounce backs, create not just stories, but they are career highlights, and the making of Ashes legends.
We’ve picked Australia’s five greatest Ashes moments…
Ashes Tour In 1934
Unlike modern times, the touring team won four consecutive Ashes series between 1928/29 and 1934. Australia won the 1934 series 2-1 thanks to sensational partnerships from Donald Bradman and Bill Ponsford in the fourth and fifth Tests.
Australia hammered England in the series-opener at Trent Bridge. The hosts were bowled out for just 141 in the fourth innings as Bill O’Reilly took seven wickets, but England fought back in the second Test.
In what is known as Verity’s Match, England won their only Test of the series with Hedley Verity taking a remarkable 15 wickets.
Two draws followed, but the second one was significant. After England scored 200 in the first innings, Australia compiled 584 as Bradman and Ponsford put on 388. Bradman scored a triple-century, which set the tone for Australia to clinch the series at the Oval.
This time Bradman and Ponsford put on 451 together, with both scoring double centuries as Australia scored 701. England were bowled out for 321 and 145 as the tourists won the Test by 562 runs.
1948 Ashes Invincibles
Captained by Don Bradman, the 1948 Ashes tour saw Australia play 31 first-class matches without defeat. The Ashes finished 4-0 to the tourists, making it five consecutive unbeaten series.
Bradman, playing in his farewell tour, attracted enormous crowds around England despite the home side’s struggles.
Armed with one of the greatest ever Test match teams – including Keith Miller and Sid Barnes – Australia didn’t just win the series 4-0, they completely outplayed and embarrassed England throughout.
The series for many cricket fans is remembered not for Australia’s victories, but Bradman’s final Test match innings at the Oval. Needing just four to average exactly 100 for his career, the Australian skipper was dismissed for a second-ball duck.
While his 99.94 average is the best ever – and it’s not even close – it was a heartbreaking end to the career of the greatest to ever play the game.
Current Australian batsman Steve Smith is occasionally compared to Bradman – find out if Smith can come close to Bradman’s achievements in our 2019 Ashes betting tips.
Dominant 1989 Series
Allan Border’s captaincy changed Australian cricket. Having not won an Ashes series in England in 14 years, the tourists humiliated England 4-0 to regain the urn after England’s win down under in 1986/87.
Mark Taylor and Terry Alderman were the star men, but it was Border’s regime that was the decisive factor.
Australia took over the reigns as the best team in world cricket from the West Indies after a troubled 1980s. World Series Cricket had put their game in turmoil.
England used an astonishing 29 players in the six-match series, while Australia used just 12. After a successful 1980s for England, this turned the Ashes rivalry on its head – setting the foundations for Australia to hold the urn until 2005.
While the positive consequences for Australia were obviously enjoyed down under, England’s subsequent demise (David Gower resigning as captain, and a terrible decade through the 1990s) will have made it that bit sweeter.
Tim Paine will be hoping the 2019 Ashes can be a similar springboard after the ball tampering controversy. Follow Australia’s odds in 888’s sports betting.
Whitewash In 2006/07
While the best cricket match, and perhaps best series, was played in England in 2005, it wasn’t a summer that the Australian team will have enjoyed a great deal.
They got their revenge and a bit more in the winter of 2006/07, however, sweeping the five-match series for the first time since the 1920s.
That brilliant Australian team was back to its best. England were missing some key players from 2005, and after an awful start at Brisbane, collapsed.
Fighting back after criticism of their 2005 defeat, Australia played with their trademark ruthlessness. All five victories were emphatic, and England struggled in all facets of the game, with no bowler taking more than 13 wickets.
It was a reassertion of Australia’s superiority. The perfect farewell to Test cricket for Justin Langer, Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne.
Another Whitewash In 2013/14
Similarly to 2006/07, Australia forced England into meltdown. While the impression is often that England were to blame for their demise in the 2013/14 whitewash, Australia’s performance, persistent aggression and consistency played more than its part.
Australia put the pressure on that saw cracks emerge for England – and Mitchell Johnson delivered one of the most memorable Ashes performances.
The 2010/11 Ashes loss was Australia’s first home series defeat against England in 23 years. With the series squashed together as the international schedule was rejigged, Australia were looking to win the Ashes back for the first time since 2007.
Johnson led the way – his fast bowling rattled England in Brisbane. David Warner regularly got them off to a flier. Brad Haddin played several match-altering innings.
It was a complete team performance, grinding England into the ground and widening divides in already fractured relationships.
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
