England Cricket Team vs Australian Men’s Cricket Team Timeline
England and Australian cricket team rivalry is not new, it has always been in limelight due to their intense competition in every match they play. One of the main reasons for the popularity of the England and Australia cricket team rivalry is the Ashes. Thor matches are not just the games for the audience, but it has various emotions connected. Fans celebrate their victory like a festival.
Both the cricket teams have contributed majorly in world cricket history with their epic matches and extraordinary performances of the players. Here, we will be discussing the details about the England Cricket team vs Australian men’s cricket team timeline.
England vs Australia Key Matches Timeline (1882 – 2025)
| Year | Match / Series | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1882 | England vs Australia (The Ashes begins) | The Oval, London | Australia won by 7 runs – led to the birth of “The Ashes” legend. |
| 1932-33 | “Bodyline” Series | Australia | England won 4-1 |
| 1948 | The Invincibles Tour | England | Australia went unbeaten under Don Bradman – legendary tour. |
| 1981 | Botham’s Ashes | England | England 3-1 series win. |
| 2005 | Ashes Thriller | England | England won 2-1 – the greatest Ashes series ever. |
| 2013-14 | Whitewash Down Under | Australia | Australia won 5-0 |
| 2019 | Ashes Drawn 2-2 | England | First drawn Ashes series since 1972 – highlighted by Ben Stokes’ Headingley miracle. |
| 2021-22 | Australia Crush England | Australia | Australia won 4-0 – England struggled with batting collapses. |
| 2023 | Controversial Drawn Series | England | Series drawn 2-2 |
| 2023 | Cricket World Cup | India | Australia won 33 runs |
| 2024 | T20 World Cup | USA & West Indies | Australia won 36 runs |
| 2025 | ICC Champions Trophy | Pakistan | Australia won by 5 wickets |
England Cricket Team vs Australian Men’s Cricket Team Timeline (1877 – 2025)
Early Encounters (1800s)
The very first time Australia and England played their international match was in Melbourne in 1877, where Australia won by 45 runs. As a result of this event, a fierce rivalry was born and grew over the years.
The name “The Ashes” originated after England’s defeat by Australia in a series in 1882, where Australia defeated England at The Oval in London.
The Ashes and the Rise of Australia (1900s)
In the 1930s and 1940s, the Australian side was synonymous with the genius of Sir Donald Bradman, quite simply the greatest batsman of all time.
Bradman made a significant impact on the Ashes, particularly in the 1930 Ashes series, when he scored an incredible 974 runs, handing Australia a 2-1 series victory.
Bradman’s next appearance in the Ashes was in 1948, in England. The Australian team – invincibles with their unbeaten streak – went on to win the Ashes series 4-0. Bradman retired from Test cricket after this series with an almost mythic-like batting average of 99.94.
The Post-War Era (1940s–1960s)
With the end of World War II, the England – Australia rivalry gained renewed significance, as legendary cricketers turned out for both teams. There was the 1950 – 51 Ashes series where Australia had a notable victory in the series (4-1). England won by 2-1 in the 1956 series.
The 1970s: Australia’s Fast Bowling Dominance
The decade of 1970s was a time of Australia establishing itself as a cricketing powerhouse – particularly with its fast-bowling threat, with players such as Dennis Lillee, and Jeff Thomson. The 1974-75 Ashes series was a key point in the rivalry, as Australia took advantage of a woeful England team and won 4-1 at home thanks to a fearsome pace attack, spearheaded by Lillee and Thomson.
1981: Botham’s Ashes
The 1981 Ashes series in England is regarded as one of the most memorable and thrilling in cricket history. Australia looked poised to take control of the series, but England’s Ian Botham had other plans. He then took 6 wickets in the second innings, and England went on to win the Test Match. England went on to win the series 3-1 and Botham’s contribution became a defining episode in the history of the Ashes. The 1981 Ashes is often called “Botham’s Ashes” because of his match-winning heroics.
1990s: Australia’s Dominance
In the 1990’s, Australia experienced a comeback to the top of the cricket world, led by a cohort of stellar players including Mark Taylor, Steve Waugh, Shane Warne, and Glenn McGrath. At the time, England had such unstable performances that they were easily beaten by Australia in the Ashes series. For instance, Australia won the 1994-95 Ashes series 3-0 in Australia and 1998-99 Ashes series was won by Australia 4-0 in Engand. Australia’s bowling attack at the time limited England’s batsmen and bowlers, who struggled especially against the spin of Warne and the quick pace of McGrath.
2000s–2010s: A Period of Shifting Fortunes
In 2006-07, Australia again won the Ashes by 5-0 but 2010-11 again the victory was England.
The 2013-14 Ashes series was dominated by Australia who won 5-0, with players such as Mitchell Johnson doing match-winning performances. However, England bounced back and took a thrilling victory in the 2015 series 3-2 with key performances from Ben Stokes and Joe Root.
2019: A Dramatic Ashes Series
The 2019 Ashes series in England was one of the closest contests in living memory with Australia, captained by Tim Paine. The match was drawn 2-2 and Australia retained the Ashes.
The Rivalry Today
The Ashes competition remains the apex of all English-Australian cricket. Australia is still regarded as one of the strongest teams in world cricket – in players like Pat Cummins, Marnus Labuschagne, and David Warner they have world-class players. The 2020-21 Ashes series that were delayed with COVID-19 will be yet another exciting episode to this age-old rivalry.
England vs Australia Head to Head Record
| Matches | England | Australia |
| Total Matches | 361 | 361 |
| Matches won | 112 | 152 |
| Mathes Lost | 152 | 112 |
| Matches Drawn | 97 | 97 |
| Year | Series/Tournament | Winner Team | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | The Ashes (Australia in England) | drawn | 2-2 (5) |
| 2021/22 | The Ashes (England in Australia) | Australia | 4-0 (5) |
| 2019 | The Ashes (Australia in England) | drawn | 2-2 (5) |
| 2017/18 | The Ashes (England in Australia) | Australia | 4-0 (5) |
| 2015 | The Ashes (Australia in England) | England | 3-2 (5) |
| 2013/14 | The Ashes (England in Australia) | Australia | 5-0 (5) |
| 2013 | The Ashes (Australia in England) | England | 3-0 (5) |
| 2010/11 | The Ashes (England in Australia) | England | 3-1 (5) |
| 2009 | The Ashes (Australia in England) | England | 2-1 (5) |
| 2006/07 | The Ashes (England in Australia) | Australia | 5-0 (5) |
| 2005 | The Ashes (Australia in England) | England | 2-1 (5) |
| 2002/03 | The Ashes (England in Australia) | Australia | 4-1 (5) |
| 2001 | The Ashes (Australia in England) | Australia | 4-1 (5) |
| 1998/99 | The Ashes (England in Australia) | Australia | 3-1 (5) |
| 1997 | The Ashes (Australia in England) | Australia | 3-2 (6) |
| 1994/95 | The Ashes (England in Australia) | Australia | 3-1 (5) |
| 1993 | The Ashes (Australia in England) | Australia | 4-1 (6) |
| 1990/91 | The Ashes (England in Australia) | Australia | 3-0 (5) |
| 1989 | The Ashes (Australia in England) | Australia | 4-0 (6) |
| 1987/88 | Bicentenary Test (England in Australia) | drawn | – |
| 1986/87 | The Ashes (England in Australia) | England | 2-1 (5) |
| 1985 | The Ashes (Australia in England) | England | 3-1 (6) |
| 1982/83 | The Ashes (England in Australia) | Australia | 2-1 (5) |
| 1981 | The Ashes (Australia in England) | England | 3-1 (6) |
| 1980 | Centenary Test (Australia in England) | drawn | – |
| 1979/80 | England in Australia Test Series | Australia | 3-0 (3) |
| 1978/79 | The Ashes (England in Australia) | England | 5-1 (6) |
| 1977 | The Ashes (Australia in England) | England | 3-0 (5) |
| 1976/77 | Centenary Test (England in Australia) | Australia | – |
| 1975 | The Ashes (Australia in England) | Australia | 1-0 (4) |
| 1974/75 | The Ashes (England in Australia) | Australia | 4-1 (6) |
| 1972 | The Ashes (Australia in England) | drawn | 2-2 (5) |
| 1970/71 | The Ashes (England in Australia) | England | 2-0 (7) |
| 1968 | The Ashes (Australia in England) | drawn | 1-1 (5) |
| 1965/66 | The Ashes (England in Australia) | drawn | 1-1 (5) |
| 1964 | The Ashes (Australia in England) | Australia | 1-0 (5) |
| 1962/63 | The Ashes (England in Australia) | drawn | 1-1 (5) |
| 1961 | The Ashes (Australia in England) | Australia | 2-1 (5) |
| 1958/59 | The Ashes (England in Australia) | Australia | 4-0 (5) |
| 1956 | The Ashes (Australia in England) | England | 2-1 (5) |
| 1954/55 | The Ashes (England in Australia) | England | 3-1 (5) |
| 1953 | The Ashes (Australia in England) | England | 1-0 (5) |
| 1950/51 | The Ashes (England in Australia) | Australia | 4-1 (5) |
| 1948 | The Ashes (Australia in England) | Australia | 4-0 (5) |
| 1946/47 | The Ashes (England in Australia) | Australia | 3-0 (5) |
| 1938 | The Ashes (Australia in England) | drawn | 1-1 (4) |
| 1936/37 | The Ashes (England in Australia) | Australia | 3-2 (5) |
| 1934 | The Ashes (Australia in England) | Australia | 2-1 (5) |
| 1932/33 | The Ashes (England in Australia) | England | 4-1 (5) |
| 1930 | The Ashes (Australia in England) | Australia | 2-1 (5) |
| 1928/29 | The Ashes (England in Australia) | England | 4-1 (5) |
| 1926 | The Ashes (Australia in England) | England | 1-0 (5) |
| 1924/25 | The Ashes (England in Australia) | Australia | 4-1 (5) |
| 1921 | The Ashes (Australia in England) | Australia | 3-0 (5) |
| 1920/21 | The Ashes (England in Australia) | Australia | 5-0 (5) |
| 1912 | Triangular Tournament | England | – |
| 1912 | The Ashes (Australia in England) | England | 1-0 (3) |
| 1911/12 | The Ashes (England in Australia) | England | 4-1 (5) |
| 1909 | The Ashes (Australia in England) | Australia | 2-1 (5) |
| 1907/08 | The Ashes (England in Australia) | Australia | 4-1 (5) |
| 1905 | The Ashes (Australia in England) | England | 2-0 (5) |
| 1903/04 | The Ashes (England in Australia) | England | 3-2 (5) |
| 1902 | The Ashes (Australia in England) | Australia | 2-1 (5) |
| 1901/02 | The Ashes (England in Australia) | Australia | 4-1 (5) |
| 1899 | The Ashes (Australia in England) | Australia | 1-0 (5) |
| 1897/98 | The Ashes (England in Australia) | Australia | 4-1 (5) |
| 1896 | The Ashes (Australia in England) | England | 2-1 (3) |
| 1894/95 | The Ashes (England in Australia) | England | 3-2 (5) |
| 1893 | The Ashes (Australia in England) | England | 1-0 (3) |
| 1891/92 | The Ashes (England in Australia) | Australia | 2-1 (3) |
| 1890 | The Ashes (Australia in England) | England | 2-0 (2) |
| 1888 | The Ashes (Australia in England) | England | 2-1 (3) |
| 1887/88 | The Ashes (England in Australia) | England | 1-0 (1) |
| 1886/87 | The Ashes (England in Australia) | England | 2-0 (2) |
| 1886 | The Ashes (Australia in England) | England | 3-0 (3) |
| 1884/85 | The Ashes (England in Australia) | England | 3-2 (5) |
| 1884 | The Ashes (Australia in England) | England | 1-0 (3) |
| 1882/83 | England in Australia Test Match | Australia | 1-0 (1) |
| 1882/83 | The Ashes (England in Australia) | England | 2-1 (3) |
| 1882 | Australia in England Test Match | Australia | 1-0 (1) |
| 1881/82 | England in Australia Test Series | Australia | 2-0 (4) |
| 1880 | Australia in England Test Match | England | 1-0 (1) |
| 1878/79 | England in Australia Test Match | Australia | 1-0 (1) |
| 1876/77 | England in Australia Test Series | drawn | 1-1 (2) |
Australia Cricket Team Squad 2025
England Cricket Team Squad 2025
Conclusion
The England-Australia cricket rivalry stands to be one of the most significant in sporting history. From the first test match in 1877 to the first Ashes series in 1882 in which was played by England and Australia until the latest meetings and series – the two teams have provided legendary performances, breathtaking events and unbelievable matches. Whether it’s Australia’s dominance throughout the 1990s or the England series win in 2005, every series and rivalry adds its own story to the huge tapestry of the Ashes..
FAQs
When did England and Australia first play each other in international cricket?
England and Australia first played each other in international cricket In 1877.
How many matches did England and Australia play?
They have played over 550 international matches across all formats.
Which format has the most matches between England and Australia?
England and Australia have played most Test Matches – 361
Do England and Australia play bilateral ODI and T20I series outside of ICC tournaments?
Yes, they regularly play limited-overs series outside Ashes contests.
Are all England vs Australia Test matches part of the Ashes?
Yes, all bilateral Test matches between the two are classified under the Ashes. However, there are few matches that are not included in Ashes such as the 1979–80 series.