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The oldest rivalry between England and Australia in Test Cricket is called the Ashes. This contest has produced moments that made the entire cricketing world stop to watch. Every Ashes series brings a different story, but the intensity remains the same.
Since its inception, the iconic clash has seen some breathtaking batting masterclasses. From tough openers to fearless stroke makers, from Alastair Cook to Ricky Ponting. Both England and Australia have produced some of the finest batters the game has ever seen. Below is the detailed list of the top 5 batters with the most runs in Ashes:
Top 5 Most Runs in Ashes History
1. Don Bradman – 5028 runs
The Australian great, who not only dominated the Ashes but also taught the cricketing world how batting should be done. Don Bradman’s numbers remain shocking even decades after he played his last Test.
2. Steve Smith - 3691 runs
Arguably one of the greatest Test batters, Steve Smith is currently placed in the second position with 3,691 runs to his name between 2010 and 2026. He is the latest player to score 13 centuries in the Ashes series and has been batting in fine form in Sydney. Steve Smith has an average of 56.78 in 73 innings and is remembered as one of the finest players and known for his unorthodox batting style.
His memorable comeback after facing a one-year ban was in the 2019 Ashes, which is still regarded as one of the greatest test batting performances in Ashes history, where he single-handedly carried Australia to a 2-2 draw in an unforgettable series. He also performed exceptionally to get the position of the most runs in Ashes 2021, with a score of 244 runs.
Steve Smith scored 373 runs to help Australia retain the series. He averaged 37.30, making it into the list of most runs in Ashes 2023.
3. Jack Hobbs – 3636 runs
The first Englishman featured in the 3rd position for the most runs in Ashes is Jack Hobbs, who was the main backbone for more than two decades because he was playing for England from the late 1900s.
He scored 3636 runs with an average of 54.26 from 1908 to 1930. In his 22-year career, he also scored 12 centuries with his ability to play big innings in high-pressure matches.
4. Allan Border – 3222 runs
Allan Border is a renowned name in Australian Test history. He stamped his authority in the rivalry with a brilliant average of 55.55 and 3,222 runs to his name in the Ashes from 1978 to 1933. His consistency truly defined his Ashes career because of his several iconic knocks over the years.
5. Steve Waugh – 3173 runs
The right-hander Steve Waugh is the last but not least in the most runs in Ashes. He was a standout figure in world cricket from 1986 to 2003 and was widely known for his strong technique and unmatched strength. He averaged 58.75 in the Ashes, scoring 3,173 runs across 72 innings. These numbers highlight just how valuable his contributions were during a phase when Australia was completely dominating England in this summit clash.
Hence, there are several players whose names are listed in the most runs in Ashes series, but an aggressive left-hand batter topped the list at a very young age. He led the 2025–26 average series with 600 runs and an average of 66.66. He fantastically made 3 centuries at that moment. He made an 85-ball century in the first test of the Ashes series of 2021-22.
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