Remembering some of the most iconic Ashes moments

The 2023 Ashes series got underway last month and the first Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham will go down in folklore, with both pundits and cricket fans alike in agreement that Australia’s surprise victory over England in the opener will likely make it into the top 10 moments in the Ashes’ long and storied history.

Who will take home the urn remains in the balance, with very little to separate the Aussies and the English in the Ashes 2023 betting odds. So, as we watch on in anticipation to see whether the visitors will retain the Ashes or if Ben Stokes and co. will regain the urn for the first time since 2015, let’s take a look back at some of the most iconic moments in the event’s history.

1930: Bradman’s dominance

England entered the 1930 Ashes as the favourites on home soil, and they got off to the perfect start with a 93-run victory in the first Test at Trent Bridge. But Sir Donald Bradman, who is widely considered the best batsman of all time, proved he was going to be a danger with a score of 131 in the second innings.

‘Don’ scored another 254 runs in the first innings of the second Test as Australia won by seven wickets at Lord’s before racking up an incredible 334 from 448 in one day as the third Test was drawn at Headingley. The series was deadlocked at 1-1 going into the final Test at the Oval, but Bradman scored another 232 runs as Australia won by an innings and 39 runs. 

The Aussie scored a total of 974 runs across the course of the series, a record that remains unmatched to this day and he has inspired generations of Australian cricketers. 

1981: ‘Beefy’ steps up at Headingly

Ian Botham’s remarkable display during the third Test of the 1981 Ashes series at Headingley is widely considered one of the greatest individual performances in cricket history. The third Test of the 1981 Ashes series began with England trailing 1-0 in the five-match series. Australia dominated the first two Tests, and England faced a daunting task in the third Test. 

However, what unfolded at Headingley was nothing short of miraculous. With England following on, Botham produced a remarkable innings of 149 not out — which included 27 boundaries and one six — leading his team to an improbable victory. Botham’s heroics reignited England’s hopes, and the series, famously known as “Botham’s Ashes,” saw England complete a historic comeback from 1-0 down to win the series 3-1.

1993: Warne’s ‘Ball of the Century’

Shane Warne’s “Ball of the Century” is one of the most iconic deliveries in cricket history and remains etched in the memories of cricket fans around the world. It occurred during the first Test of the 1993 Ashes series between England and Australia at Old Trafford.

On the second day of the match, Warne, a relatively unknown Australian leg-spinner at the time, was entrusted with the responsibility of opening the bowling for his team. The batsman at the receiving end was England’s Mike Gatting.

As Warne prepared to bowl his first delivery, nobody could have predicted the impact it would have on the game and the cricketing world. With his unique bowling action and prodigious spin, Warne released a magnificent leg-break that drifted away from Gatting, pitched outside the leg stump, and sharply turned back towards the off stump.

The delivery completely bamboozled Gatting, who misjudged the amount of turn. It was a moment of absolute astonishment as the bails were dislodged, and Gatting was left dumbfounded.