<P> The Ashes is a Test cricket series played between England and Australia . The series have varied in length, consisting of between one and seven Test matches, but since 1998 have been consistently five matches . It is one of sport's most celebrated rivalries and dates back to 1882 . It is generally played biennially, alternating between the United Kingdom and Australia . Australia are the current holders of the Ashes, having clinched the 2017 - 18 series in the third test in Perth . </P> <P> Although the first Test series played between England and Australia was in the 1876--77 season, the Ashes originated from the solitary Test which the two nations contested in 1882 . England lost the match, played at The Oval, and a mock obituary was posted in The Sporting Times, declaring the death of English cricket . It stated that: "The body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia ." The Honourable Ivo Bligh adopted the term and, as captain of the English party that travelled to Australia the following winter, promised to bring the "Ashes" home . </P> <P> After their loss to Australia in 1882, England won the next eight series between the two sides, during which time they lost only four of the 22 Tests . Australia won an Ashes series for the first time in 1891--92, when they beat England 2--1 . The 1932--33 tour was known as the "Bodyline series" as, in response to the talented Australian batsman Don Bradman, England developed a tactic of bowling quickly at the body of the batsmen with most of the fielders placed in a close ring on the leg side . England won the series, but the tactic prompted changes to the laws of cricket, and the Australians, buoyed by the batting of Bradman, regained the Ashes during the next series and then held them for six series, spanning nineteen years . It was during this period that the Australians travelled to England in 1948, and remained unbeaten during the whole tour, gaining the nickname of "The Invincibles". In addition to winning the five match Test series 4--0, Australia won or drew all of their 29 other matches against county and representative sides . </P> <P> Australia have won more Ashes Tests than England, winning 134 of the 330 matches, compared to England's 106 victories . Australia also holds the edge in Ashes series won, having won on 33 occasions compared to England's 32 . There have been five drawn series, and on four of these occasions, Australia have retained the Ashes due to being holders going into the series . England have retained the Ashes after a drawn series once . On only three occasions has a team won all the Tests in an Ashes series; Australia won all five matches in 1920--21, then repeated the feat in 2006--07 and in 2013--14 . England's largest winning margin in an Ashes series was in 1978--79, when they won 5--1 . Both England and Australia have held the Ashes for eight series in a row, England doing so between 1882--83 and 1890, while Australia achieved the feat from 1989 to 2002--03 . Since 1882, a small number of Test series have been played between the two sides that have not been allocated as Ashes series; those played in 1976--77, 1979--80, 1980 and 1987--88, these series are not listed in the table below . </P>

Who has scored the most runs in ashes history