The England vs Australia cricket rivalry is one of the biggest sports rivalries in the world. Both nations rank among the top five cricketing powerhouses globally, and with that level of pedigree comes world-class talent on both sides. Combine that calibre with a rich, deep-rooted history and fierce competitive spirit, and you get pure cricketing theatre where players leave nothing behind on the field. Therefore, it is no surprise that even after more than 500 clashes across different formats, it still manages to deliver some of the most passionate and high-quality moments you’ll ever see in the sport.
This article breaks down the numbers behind this iconic rivalry, from all-time head-to-head records to stats and results. But before we dive right in, check out the best odds on upcoming cricket matches and other exciting titles like online vortex in your free time.
A Brief History of the Rivalry
The origins of the England vs. Australia cricket rivalry date back to the late 19th century, specifically 1882. It all began with a single, fiery Test match at The Oval, which saw Australia emerge victorious.
Australia’s shock victory over England on their home turf sparked outrage and disbelief among English fans and media. One newspaper even went as far as publishing a mock obituary for English cricket, famously stating that “the body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia.” That gave rise to the term “The Ashes,” the now-iconic name by which this fierce rivalry is known today. From that moment on, England vs Australia matches became more than just a game.
Test Cricket Head-to-Head Record
The first Test match between the two sides was held in March 1877 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where Australia claimed victory. The most recent meeting took place in 2023 at The Oval, with England emerging victorious.
Below is a detailed record of the Test encounters over the years.
- Tests match played: 361
- England wins: 112
- Australia wins: 152
- Drawn: 97
Bilateral Test series head-to-head record
- Total series held: 80
- England wins: 33
- Australia wins: 39
- Drawn: 8
Other Records
- Largest margins of victory: England wins by 579 runs at The Oval in 1938.
- Top run-scorer: Sir Donald Bradman (Australia, 1928-1948) scored 5028 runs.
- Most wickets: Shane Warne (Australia, 1993-2007) took 195 wickets.
ODI Cricket Head-to-Head Record
Unlike Test matches, which are played over multiple days, ODIs, or One Day Internationals, are limited-overs games designed to be completed in a single day. Each team plays a maximum of 50 overs.
The first-ever ODI between both sides was played in 1971 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where Australia secured a five-wicket victory. Australia also won their most recent encounter, which took place in February 2025 in Lahore, Pakistan.
- ODI match played: 162
- England wins: 65
- Australia wins: 92
- Tied: 2
Bilateral ODI series head-to-head record
- Total series held: 38
- England wins: 13
- Australia wins: 22
- Tied: 1
Other Records
- Largest margins of victory: England wins by 242 runs at Nottingham in 2018.
- Top run-scorer: Eoin Morgan (England, 2009-2020) scored 1952 runs.
- Most wickets: Brett Lee (Australia, 2001-2012) took 65 wickets.
T20I Cricket Head-to-Head Record
T20 Internationals are the shortest and fastest format of the game. Each team gets just 20 overs to make their mark, and the matches are usually wrapped up in under four hours. The first-ever T20I clash between the two nations took place in June 2005 at the Rose Bowl, Southampton. England won that one by 100 runs in front of a packed home crowd. Their most recent meeting in September 2024 in Cardiff also ended with England winning by three wickets.
- T20I match played: 26
- England wins: 12
- Australia wins: 12
- No Result: 2
Bilateral T20I series head-to-head record
- Total T20I series held: 11
- England wins: 5
- Australia wins: 2
- Tied: 4
Other Records
- Largest margins of victory: England wins by 100 runs at Southampton in 2005.
- Top run-scorer: Aaron Finch (Australia, 2011-2022) scored 619 runs.
- Most wickets: Adil Rashid (England, 2015-2024) took 15 wickets.
Major Titles Won So Far
Australia and England are among the most successful cricketing nations in the history of the sport. As of now, Australia holds the No. 1 spot in the ICC Test rankings and sits at No. 2 in both ODIs and T20I rankings. England, on the other hand, is currently ranked No. 3 in both Test and T20I formats, while holding the No. 8 spot in the ICC ODI rankings.
Here’s a breakdown of their individual achievements over the years.
Australia
- ICC World Test Championship: One (2021-2023)
- ICC World Cup: Six (1987, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2015, 2023)
- T20 World Cup: One (2021)
- Champions Trophy: Two (2006, 2009)
- ICC Test Championship: Eight (2003–2009, 2016)
- ICC ODI Championship: Nine (2002–2007, 2010–2012)
England
- ICC World Cup: One (2019)
- T20 World Cup: Two (2010, 2022)
- ICC Test Championship: One (2012)
Conclusion
The England-Australia cricket rivalry has stood the test of time as one of the greatest in the world of sports. From that first fiery encounter in the late 1800s, these two powerhouses have pushed each other to the limit, delivering unforgettable moments, legendary performances, and some of the most gripping contests ever witnessed in the sport.
