The Ashes: The best batsmen to have graced the famous series

Over the past 141 years, plenty of Australian and English batsmen have thrived in the heat of an Ashes contest.

The likes of Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow will be trying to make their mark in the 2023 series — but we have picked out the best to have ever starred in the classic rivalry.

5. Herbert Sutcliffe, England (1924-34)

Yorkshire and England great Herbert Sutcliffe was a commanding force at the top of the order.

He scored 2,741 runs from his 46 innings between 1924 and 1934 to end up with an average just shy of 67.

Sutcliffe was a member of the successful England team that took part in the infamous Bodyline tour of 1932-33 and scored a career-best 194 as England won the First Test in Sydney by 10 wickets.

4. Steve Waugh, Australia (1986-2003)

Ahead of the 1989 Ashes series, Steve Waugh had a batting average of 30.52 from 26 Tests. 

His maiden Test century came in the First Test at Headingley, where he bagged 177 not out — his career-best against England. 

In the Second Test at Lord’s he collected another 152 not out and set a marker for what was to come over the next 15 years. 

He rattled 3,173 career runs against England from 72 innings, in 18 of which he remained undefeated at the crease. 

The right-handed batsman could also deliver some right-arm medium deliveries and enjoyed seven years as Aussie captain.

3. Allan Border, Australia (1978-93)

A formidable captain and left-handed batsman, Allan Border frustrated English bowlers for nearly two decades.

His finest Ashes moment was a contribution of 200 not out as Australia beat England by an innings and 148 runs in the Fourth Test at Headingley in 1993. 

And he is second only to Don Bradman in the list of all-time scorers against England with 3,222 from 73 innings.

2. Jack Hobbs, England (1908-30)

There can be no better way to make your mark against the Aussies than by setting a Test record. 

When Jack Hobbs helped himself to 142 runs in Melbourne in 1929 he became the oldest man to score a Test century at 46 years and 82 days, a record that still stands to this day. 

He scored the most runs by any England batsman against Australia, with 3,636 in 71 innings (four not out), hitting 12 centuries along the way.   

1. Don Bradman, Australia (1928-48)

The Don’s numbers do the talking. 

Bradman is the only man to score two triple centuries in Ashes matches, with a career-best 334 at Headingley in 1930 — the second highest individual score in Ashes history — and 304 at the same ground in 1934. 

He also amassed 5,028 runs in 63 innings (remaining not out in seven of those) and smashes 19 centuries for an Ashes career average of nearly 90. Figures that will surely never be beaten.