Top 10 Greatest Ashes Innings of All Time (Ranked 2025)

The Ashes, a fierce and competitive rivalry between Australia and England, is one of the greatest rivalries in the history of international cricket. Over the years, both of these teams have fought each other for the iconic trophy. Since 1882, it has been more than 140 years that the rivalry between the two sides has been brewing. The game of cricket in Ashes is not just about victory, but its about resilience, legacy, and national pride.

From iconic knocks to legendary bowling spells, we have seen everything in one of the greatest rivalries in cricket between Australia and England. In this article, we will talk about the best Ashes innings of all time in the history of the rivalry.

List of Greatest Ashes Innings of All Time

Over the years, fans all over the globe have witnessed many top Ashes performances in the history of cricket. Players like Donald Bradman and Alastair Cook have carried their team with outstanding and legendary knocks. Let's have a look at some of the greatest Ashes innings of all time as of 2025.

What is the Best Ashes Innings of All Time?

Since the year 1882, we have seen many exhilarating clashes between Australia and England in the Test format. The best Ashes knocks contains players from every generation and era, making the rivalry relevant and ruthless, since its inception. Between these two nations, many players have scored high runs but only a few have made their knock as of the best among the rivalry with valuable impact and defined legacy. Here are the best Ashes innings of all time:

10. Steve Smith - 144 Runs (Edgbaston, 2019)

During the 2019 Ashes in England, Australian batter Steve Smith marked his return to Test cricket with a fabulous knock of 144 runs off 219 balls after a year-long ban due to sand-paper controversy. The English bowling attack ripped through the Australian batting lineup, with wickets on regular intervals from the other end.

Steve Smith, one of the best Test batsmen in the world, took control of the match from one side managing to carry the total from 122/8 to 284 on the Edgbaston pitch. This incredible knock marked his redemption story on his return in the international cricket and became one of the greatest Ashes moments. Apart from this, he also scored 142 runs in the second innings to carry the Australian side towards victory.

9. Stan McCabe - 232 Runs (Trent Bridge, 1938)

During the 1938 Ashes in England, middle-order Australian batter Stan McCabe played a fantastic knock of 232 runs off just 277 balls, with aggressive intent and assault on the bowlers. He dominated the opposition with his attacking and breathtaking strokes, that left spectators stunned at Trent Bridge, Nottingham.

With this knock, he also became the batsman to score most runs in a session in an Ashes Test (127 runs in 100 balls). In the history of Australian cricket, he is compared with several greatest batters and this knock can be counted among the greatest Ashes innings of all time. This knock was appreciated and acknowledged by Don Bradman as one of the finest knocks seen by him.

8. Alastair Cook - 235* Runs (Gabba, 2010)

During the 2010/11 Ashes in Australia, former English captain Alastair Cook showcased his dominance by scoring 235* runs from 428 balls against a stacked bowling lineup of Australia. Before this innings, the English side was trailing by 221 runs and needed a commanding knock to survive in the match.

This is one of the greatest Ashes innings of all time as it lasted 10 hours and 43 minutes, combining defensive approach and patience of Cook. This helped in drawing the match as England won that series by 3-1, marking their Ashes win in Australia after 24 years.

7. Ricky Ponting - 156 Runs (Old Trafford, 2005)

During the 2005 Ashes in England, this was one of the most thrilling and exciting encounter in the rivalry. On the last day, Australia needed 423 runs to win the Test match, but ended by losing wickets quickly. Ricky Ponting, the GOAT of cricket, stood up to the occasion and scored 156 runs off 275 balls and ended by drawing the match with 1 wicket left at Old Trafford, Manchester. This iconic knock helped Australia to remain levelled in the series, with two matches to spare. This was one of the greatest Ashes moments of all time.

6. Steve Waugh - 157* Runs (The Oval, 2001)

During the 2001 Ashes in England, captain Steve Waugh, also known as one of the best captains in the world, played an amazing and excellent knock of 157* runs from 256 balls, showing immense determination and grit at The Oval, London. During the innings, Waugh suffered a calf injury, which troubled him by limiting his movement. This knock helped in boosting the score of Australia taking the total score to 641 runs, which England were unable to cross in two innings. With this match, the Aussies scripted a 3-2 win in the series.

5. Mark Butcher- 173* Runs (Headingley, 2001)

During the 2001 Ashes in England, top-order English batter Mark Butcher played a tremendous knock of 173* runs from 227 balls in a run-chase, which is regarded as one of the best Ashes innings of all time while chasing. In the 4th innings, The English side had to chase a target of 315 runs against the quality bowling trio of Warne, McGrath, and Gillespie. Openers Atherton and Trescothick got out early, which enabled Butcher to take the responsibility and play the knock of his life for the team.

4. Kevin Pietersen- 158 Runs (The Oval, 2005)

During the 2005 Ashes in England, middle-order batter Kevin Pietersen scored his maiden Test century, scoring 158 runs from 187 balls, helping England to draw the Test match. Against the deadly trio of Warne, McGrath, and Lee, Pietersen played a counterattacking knock and showed why he should be considered one of the most dangerous batsmen in the world. This fearless knock helped the England National Cricket Team to draw the Test match and regain the Ashes trophy after 18 years.

3. Ben Stokes – 135* Runs (Headingley, 2019)

During the 2019 Ashes in England, England all-rounder Ben Stokes played one of the most legendary Ashes knocks in the history of the rivalry amongst these two nations. In this knock, Stokes depicted strong will-power and character with patience and power for taking the English side over the target which is why it can be termed as one of the greatest Ashes innings of all time.

While chasing a target of 359, England were 286/9 with 73 runs short and then Ben Stokes came to the rescue. Stokes' unbeaten 135* from 219 balls gave us one of Test cricket’s most dramatic finishes. With this knock, he stamped his authority as one of the best all-rounders in the world and a player for crunch moments.

2. Ian Botham- 149* Runs (Headingley, 1981)

During the 1981 Ashes in England, Sir Ian Botham played a wonderful knock of 149* runs off 148 balls, powering the bowling attack of the Australia Cricket National Team. After getting all out for 174, the English side were given a follow-on and were on the backfoot in the game. Ian Botham stepped up on the moment and smashed a quick-firing knock, making the target of 130. The Aussies were dismissed for just 111 runs and Botham helped England to win a miraculous Test match.

1. Sir Donald Bradman- 334 Runs (Headingley, 1930)

The greatest Ashes innings of all time came in the 1930 Ashes by Sir Donald Bradman, also known as the Godfather of cricket, at Headingley in Leeds. The Australian batter dismantled the English bowling attack by scoring 334 runs off 448 balls, with precision and power. In this knock, he scored 309 runs on a single day, which is still a record for most runs by a batter in single day in Test cricket.

This iconic knock helped Australia to reach the total of 566 and clinch the victory easily. This powerful knock marked the dominance and emergence of Sir Don Bradman on the international stage.