Australia vs England is one of the oldest and most famous rivalries in international cricket. Their Test rivalry began with the first-ever official Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in March 1877. Since then, the two teams have played hundreds of Tests, with the rivalry becoming synonymous with The Ashes. Australia vs England head to head in test
As of the end of the 2025–26 Ashes series in January 2026, Australia and England have faced each other 366 times in Test cricket. Australia have won 156 Tests, England have won 113, and 97 matches have ended in draws. There have been no tied Tests between the two sides.
Australia vs England Test Head-to-Head Record
| Category | Australia | England |
|---|---|---|
| Tests played | 366 | 366 |
| Matches won | 156 | 113 |
| Matches lost | 113 | 156 |
| Draws | 97 | 97 |
| Ties | 0 | 0 |
| First Test | 1877 | 1877 |
| Most recent Test | January 2026 | January 2026 |
Australia have won 42.6% of the 366 Tests, while England have won 30.9%. Draws account for 26.5% of the meetings. Australia vs England head to head in test
Beginning of the Rivalry
The Australia-England Test rivalry began on 15 March 1877 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. It was not initially known as the Ashes rivalry because the term “The Ashes” had not yet been created.
Australia won that historic match by 45 runs. Charles Bannerman made 165, becoming the first batter to score a century in Test cricket. The match established Australia and England as the first two teams to compete in Test cricket.
The rivalry became even more significant after Australia’s famous victory over England at The Oval in 1882. Following England’s defeat, the Sporting Times published a mock obituary referring to English cricket’s death and the “ashes” being taken to Australia. This eventually gave birth to the name The Ashes.
The Ashes: The Heart of Australia vs England Tests
Although Australia and England have played 366 Tests in total, 350 of those matches have been Ashes Tests. In Ashes history, Australia have won 146 Tests, England have won 111, and 93 have been drawn.
The teams have contested 74 Ashes series. Australia have won 35 series, England have won 32, while seven series have been drawn.
The Ashes are traditionally played as a five-Test series, although some historical series had four or six Tests.
Ashes Series Record
| Ashes category | Australia | England | Drawn |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashes series | 35 | 32 | 7 |
| Ashes Tests | 146 wins | 111 wins | 93 |
| Ashes Tests in Australia | 94 wins | 57 wins | 26 |
| Ashes Tests in England | 52 wins | 54 wins | 67 |
The historical numbers show how important home conditions have been. Australia have won more Ashes Tests in Australia, while England have a narrow advantage in Ashes Tests played in England.
Australia vs England in the 2025–26 Ashes
The most recent Test series between Australia and England was the 2025–26 Ashes, played in Australia from November 2025 to January 2026.
Australia won the five-Test series 4–1. They won the opening Test in Perth by eight wickets, followed that with another eight-wicket victory at Brisbane, and then defeated England by 82 runs in Adelaide.
England responded with a four-wicket victory at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Australia then finished the series with a five-wicket victory at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The five results were:
| Test | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | Perth | Australia won by 8 wickets |
| 2nd Test | Brisbane | Australia won by 8 wickets |
| 3rd Test | Adelaide | Australia won by 82 runs |
| 4th Test | Melbourne | England won by 4 wickets |
| 5th Test | Sydney | Australia won by 5 wickets |
Mitchell Starc was named Player of the Series after taking 31 wickets, while Travis Head was Australia’s leading run-scorer with 629 runs. England’s leading run-scorer was Joe Root with 400 runs.
Australia vs England: Major Test Records
The rivalry has produced some extraordinary individual and team performances.
Australia’s highest team total against England is 729 for 6 declared, made at Lord’s in 1930. England’s highest total is 903 for 7 declared, made at The Oval in 1938.
Australia’s lowest completed total against England is 36, recorded at Edgbaston in 1902. England’s lowest total is 45, recorded at Sydney in 1887.
Sir Donald Bradman produced several memorable performances in the rivalry. His highest individual score against England was 334, achieved at Headingley in 1930. He also scored 304 at Headingley in the same year.
These records demonstrate the enormous statistical history behind one of cricket’s most enduring Test contests.
Home Advantage in the Rivalry
Australia have traditionally been particularly successful when playing England at home. Across Ashes Tests played in Australia, Australia have recorded 94 wins compared with England’s 57, with 26 draws. In England, the numbers are much closer: England have won 54 Ashes Tests, Australia 52, with 67 draws.
The difference can be explained partly by the contrasting conditions. Australian pitches and climate can provide different challenges from English venues, where swing and seam bowling have historically played an important role.
The rivalry has therefore produced different patterns depending on where the series is played.
Famous Players in Australia vs England Tests
Many of cricket’s greatest players have made their reputations in this rivalry.
For Australia, names such as Sir Donald Bradman, Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Ricky Ponting, Steve Waugh and Mitchell Starc have played major roles in Ashes history.
England have also produced legendary performers including Sir Ian Botham, Alastair Cook, Joe Root, James Anderson and Stuart Broad.
The rivalry has frequently provided a stage for players to produce career-defining performances. Batters have scored huge totals, while fast bowlers and spinners have created memorable spells across generations.
Why Australia vs England Test Cricket Remains Special
The Australia-England rivalry is different from an ordinary bilateral Test series because of its extraordinary history. It combines sporting competition, tradition, statistics and the unique history of the Ashes.
The first Test between the countries was played in 1877, and more than a century later the rivalry continues to attract enormous attention. The teams have experienced dominant periods, dramatic comebacks, close series and memorable individual performances.
The 2025–26 Ashes once again demonstrated the competitive nature of the rivalry. Australia won four of the five Tests, while England’s Melbourne victory prevented a clean sweep.
Conclusion
Australia vs England is the oldest major Test rivalry in international cricket and remains one of the sport’s most important contests. Across 366 Tests, Australia have won 156, England have won 113, and 97 have been drawn.
The Ashes form the central part of this rivalry, with 350 Tests played for the famous urn. Australia have won 35 Ashes series and England 32, with seven series ending level.
The latest chapter came in the 2025–26 Ashes, when Australia won the series 4–1. With a history stretching back to the first Test in 1877, Australia vs England remains a fixture filled with historic performances, famous players and unforgettable Test matches.
5 Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many Tests have Australia and England played?
Australia and England have played 366 Test matches against each other, with the latest meeting taking place in January 2026.
2. Who has won more Australia vs England Tests?
Australia have won 156 Tests, compared with England’s 113 victories. The remaining 97 matches were drawn.
3. How many Ashes series have Australia and England played?
Australia and England have contested 74 Ashes series. Australia have won 35, England 32, and seven have been drawn.
4. Who won the latest Ashes series?
Australia won the 2025–26 Ashes 4–1. England won the fourth Test at Melbourne, while Australia won the other four matches.
5. When was the first Australia vs England Test?
The first Test was played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 15 March 1877. Australia won the historic match by 45 runs.