The Ashes, cricket's most storied and intense rivalry, returns on 21 November, and to get you in the mood we thought we'd Test your knowledge with a quiz. Forget about batting averages and bowling figures for a moment; this challenge is about geography and history. The hallowed turf, the iconic stands, the very grounds where legends have been made and hearts have been broken. So, we ask you: can you name every ground that's hosted an Ashes Test?
The Hallowed Turf of England and Wales
The first-ever Ashes Test was played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 1877, but the legend truly began in 1882 after England's shocking loss at The Oval, which prompted the famous satirical obituary. Since then, a select group of grounds have been entrusted with hosting this iconic contest. In England and Wales, the list is a tour of the nation's most famous cricketing cathedrals.
The most frequent host is, unsurprisingly, Lord's in London, often called the 'Home of Cricket'. Its first Ashes Test was in 1884. It is joined by the other staples of the English international summer:
- The Oval (London) – The birthplace of The Ashes in 1882.
- Old Trafford (Manchester) – A venue known for its pace and bounce.
- Headingley (Leeds) – The scene of Ian Botham's miraculous innings in 1981.
- Trent Bridge (Nottingham) – A ground with a rich history of swing bowling.
- Edgbaston (Birmingham) – Famous for its raucous, partisan atmosphere.
A few other English grounds have had the honour, but less frequently. These include Bramall Lane in Sheffield (a single Test in 1902), St George's Road in Harrogate (1899), and in the modern era, Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, which hosted its first and only Ashes Test in 2009, a memorable draw secured by the last-wicket pair of James Anderson and Monty Panesar. The Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street also hosted a Test in the 2013 series.
The Fortresses of Australia
Across the globe, Australia's grounds are just as iconic, often larger in scale and bathed in fierce sunlight. The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is the colossus, hosting the first Test and the traditional Boxing Day Test. It is joined by the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), home of the New Year's Test, and the Adelaide Oval, renowned for its beautiful setting and day-night Tests.
The other mainstays of the Australian circuit are:
- The Gabba (Brisbane) – A fortress for Australia, known for its pace and bounce.
- The WACA (Perth) – Historically feared for its ferocious pace, though its Ashes role has now been superseded.
- Perth Stadium (Optus Stadium) – The modern, state-of-the-art venue that took over from the WACA for the 2021-22 Ashes.
- Bellerive Oval (now Blundstone Arena, Hobart) – Which hosted its first Ashes Test in the 2021-22 series.
The Historic Australian Venues
Like England, Australia has several historic grounds that are no longer on the Ashes roster. These include the Exhibition Ground in Brisbane (1931), the Brisbane Exhibition Ground (1928-1931), and the St Kilda Cricket Ground in Melbourne (1882). Reflecting on the evolution of these venues, a cricket historian might note, "The grounds themselves are living museums, each brick and blade of grass whispering stories of past glories."
A Surprising Shared History
While the battle is between England and Australia, the Ashes have, on three rare occasions, been contested on neutral territory. All three of these Tests were played in the United States, a fascinating quirk of cricketing history. The occasions were:
- 1879 at the St George's Cricket Club in New York.
- 1880 at the St George's Cricket Club in New York.
- 1883 at the St George's Cricket Club in New York.
These matches were part of broader tours and are officially recognised as Test matches, making a tiny corner of New York a unique, if forgotten, part of Ashes folklore. An official from the time might have boasted, "We are bringing the greatest contest in cricket to a new world, to showcase its brilliance on a global stage."
The Final Count
So, how many grounds are we talking about? When you tally up all the venues in England, Wales, Australia, and the neutral sites, the total number of grounds to have hosted an Ashes Test stands at twenty-three. This includes the historic venues no longer in use and the modern additions like Perth Stadium and Blundstone Arena.
The list is a testament to the enduring and evolving nature of the sport. From the rustic charm of Bramall Lane to the towering stands of the MCG, each ground has contributed its own unique chapter to the Ashes narrative. They have witnessed everything from Don Bradman's final duck to Ben Stokes' unforgettable Headingley heist.
As we anticipate the first ball on 21 November, consider the stage itself. It's more than just grass and dirt; it's where history is written. So, the next time you settle in to watch, you'll appreciate not just the players, but the sacred ground beneath their feet. The legacy of the Ashes is etched into these twenty-three venues forever.