The Ashes attract a lot of attention in international cricket and hold separate importance for England and Australia. Both teams are scheduled to come face-to-face for the first game of the series on 16th June.
Australia will be positive and confident with their win over team India in the final game of the WTC Championship at the Oval. England is also coming after a win over Ireland at the Lord’s and we expect a thrilling contest between the two teams. The cricket betting sites have Ashes odds on their platforms.
The Ashes has a rich history where both teams have produced some of the best moments with legendary players being part of the series. We have seen some hard-hitting batters from both sides and in this article, just to refresh your memory, we have compiled a list of the top 5 run-scorers in a single edition of the Ashes.
5) Steve Smith – 687 Runs
Smith's greatest success has come in Test cricket, where he has established himself as a modern-day batting great. He has an unconventional stance and technique, with a pronounced trigger movement before each delivery. Smith has been remarkably consistent and has amassed numerous records and accolades in the format. During the 2017-18 Ashes series, Smith played a crucial role for Australia and scored 687 runs in five matches. His total score included three tons and two fifties in five matches and seven innings. Smith was the captain of the Australian team, and his batting was instrumental in their victory.
4) David Gower – 732
David Gower was one of the most prolific English batsmen who was part of the team from 178-92. During the Ashes campaign in 1985, Gower scored a total of 731 runs in a six-match series and helped his team to score a series win in the Ashes. His total score included three centuries in nine innings of the tournament. During the fifth test, Gower played a crucial inning for England and scored 215 runs in the first inning of the game. In the final game, Gower scored 157 runs in the first inning of the match and helped England to win the match.
3) Sir Alastair Cook – 766
Alastair Cook's contribution to English cricket, both as a player and a leader, has left an indelible mark on the sport. His exceptional batting skills and records cement his status as one of the all-time greats in the game. Cook played a crucial role in England's success as they secured a historic Ashes victory in Australia, winning the series 3-1. With three centuries and two half-centuries, Alastair Cook finished the series as the highest run-scorer with a total of 766 runs at an outstanding average of 127.66. Cook's ability to occupy the crease, accumulate runs, and provide solid starts at the top of the order was instrumental in England's Ashes triumph.
2) Steve Smith – 774
Steve Smith gave rise to his career in 2019 as well by becoming the highest scorer in the Ashes series. It was because of Smith, Australia didn't lose a Test match in the Ashes after 18 years. Steve Smith amassed a remarkable 774 runs in just seven innings at an outstanding average of 110.57 during the 2019 Ashes series. His performance played a crucial role in Australia retaining the Ashes, as the series ended in a 2-2 draw, allowing Australia to retain the urn as the previous holders.
1) Mark Taylor – 839
Mark Taylor, who was a key member of the Australian team, played a significant role in Australia's dominant display in the 1989 Ashes. Nobody has even come closer to his record in the Ashes. Overall, Taylor scored 839 runs in the whole series and turned out to be the highest scorer. His leadership and batting excellence played a crucial role in Australia's comprehensive victory in the 1989 Ashes series. Taylor's contributions helped Australia regain the Ashes urn, and his performances made him one of the standout players of the series.
