The Ashes returns on 21 November and to get you in the mood we thought we'd Test your knowledge with a tricky quiz.
Scoring a century in an Ashes Test is the pinnacle for any English or Australian batter, but doing so on the opposition's home turf adds an extra layer of glory. The cauldron of the Gabba, the vastness of the MCG, and the unique challenge of the SCG have tested English resolve for generations.
Since the legendary 2005 series, a period encompassing eight Ashes tours down under, a select group of English batters have managed to etch their names onto the honours board with a three-figure score in Australia. Your challenge is simple: can you name every single one of them? It's a tougher task than you might think, spanning iconic triumphs and heroic rearguards.
Before you begin, consider the context. England's fortunes in Australia since 2005 have been a tale of two distinct eras: the historic victory in 2010-11 and the dramatic retention of the urn in 2023, bookending some truly dismal tours where centuries were as rare as a cool day in the Outback. As one commentator famously noted during a particularly tough spell, "The English batting appears to be allergic to the Australian sun."
The 2006-07 Series: A Whitewash and a Lone Warrior
England's defence of the Ashes in 2006-07 was nothing short of a catastrophe, culminating in a 5-0 whitewash. Amid the rubble of that tour, only one English batter stood tall enough to score a century. It was a performance of immense character, a beacon of resistance in a series defined by Australian dominance.
The sole centurion from this tour was Paul Collingwood, whose gritty 206 at the Adelaide Oval was a masterpiece of concentration and determination. His monumental effort, lasting nearly six hours, was ultimately in a losing cause, but it remains one of the great individual English performances on Australian soil.
The 2010-11 Series: A Golden Era for English Batsmanship
This was the tour that rewrote the history books. England's 3-1 victory, their first in Australia for 24 years, was built on a foundation of massive first-innings totals and a battery of batsmen in the form of their lives. Centuries were not just scored; they were compiled in clusters, demoralising a vaunted Australian attack.
The centurions from this triumphant campaign were numerous and legendary. They include:
- Alastair Cook - The series' leading run-scorer, who set the tone with an epic 235 not out in Brisbane.
- Jonathan Trott - A rock at number three, who scored a century on his Ashes debut in Brisbane.
- Kevin Pietersen - A dominant 227 at the Adelaide Oval that broke Australian spirits.
- Ian Bell - A sublime 115 in Sydney, cementing England's dominance.
- Matt Prior - An explosive 118 in Sydney from the wicketkeeper-batsman.
Reflecting on the team's mindset, captain Andrew Strauss later said, "We didn't just want to win; we wanted to bat once, bat big, and bat Australia out of the game. The centuries were a product of that ruthless mentality."
The Lean Years: 2013-14 and 2017-18
Following the highs of 2010-11, England returned to familiar struggles in the subsequent two tours. The 2013-14 series ended in another 5-0 defeat, while the 2017-18 tour saw a 4-0 loss. In these 10 combined Tests, English centuries were a scarce commodity, with only three players managing the feat.
Ben Stokes announced himself on the world stage with a brilliant 120 in Perth during the 2013-14 series, a lone hand of defiance. In the 2017-18 series, the only centurions were:
- Alastair Cook - A monumental, career-defining 244 not out at the MCG.
- Dawid Malan - A classy 140 in Perth, forming a formidable partnership.
The 2021-22 Series: A 4-0 Defeat and a New Hope
Despite another heavy series loss, this tour saw the emergence of a new batting star for England. While the team results were disappointing, one player stood out with his technique and temperament, scoring two magnificent centuries that hinted at a brighter future.
That player was Dawid Malan, who added a second Ashes century in Australia to his name, and the new hope was Joe Root. The England captain, despite a lean run by his standards in previous tours, finally broke his duck with a sublime, unbeaten 118 in the heat of Brisbane.
The 2023 Series: A Dramatic Draw and Unlikely Heroes
In one of the most thrillingly contested Ashes series in recent memory, England fought back to draw 2-2 and retain the urn. The 'Bazball' ethos produced some breathtaking cricket, and with it came centuries from both established stars and players who seized their moment in the spotlight.
The list of centurions from this tour is a testament to England's aggressive new approach:
- Joe Root - Continued his form with another century, showcasing his class.
- Ben Stokes - The captain, with a typically belligerent 155 at Lord's (though this was a home Test, his leadership defined the away approach).
- Zak Crawley - A stunning 189 in Manchester that epitomised the 'Bazball' philosophy.
- Ben Duckett - A rapid-fire 98 in Nottingham, falling just short, but his aggressive intent was symbolic.
- Harry Brook - The young gun announced himself with a blistering 85 in Leeds, showing the future is bright.
A commentator summed up the shift in approach, stating, "This isn't the England of old. They are not here to survive; they are here to conquer, one boundary at a time."
The Final Tally and Your Challenge
So, across these eight tours and countless battles, a total of thirteen English batsmen have scored a Test century in Australia since 2005. Some, like Cook and Pietersen, are legends of the game. Others, like Collingwood in 2006, are remembered for their solitary, defiant stands.
Your mission is to recall all thirteen names. Think of the openers, the rock-solid number threes, the flamboyant match-winners, the wicketkeepers, and the all-rounders. It's a quiz that separates the casual observer from the true Ashes aficionado. How will you fare?
Remember, the first ball of the next chapter in this storied rivalry is just around the corner. As the players prepare for battle, it's the perfect time to reflect on the heroes of tours past and test your own knowledge of one of sport's greatest contests.