Alas, the Ashes are lost. Console yourself by blasting through these fantastic facts of past Australian cricketing glory.

Don Bradman needed just four runs in his final test to record an average of 100. Unfortunately, the Don was bowled in just his second ball by English spinner Eric Hollies and had to settle for 99.94. The ABC’s PO Box number in every state and territory is 9994 to commemorate the Don’s famous average.


The very first Ashes Test in 1877 was so tense that one spectator chewed through his umbrella. Another spectator was overcome with excitement and died. Fast-bowling legend Fred Spofforth took seven wickets in each innings to lead Australia to victory.

English batsmen Robin Smith has the dubious record for most Ashes matches without a victory. Smith played 15 matches against Australia between 1989 and 1993, losing all of them. Most recently, Australian fast-bowler Michael Kasprowicz played six matches between 1997 and 2005 without ever winning.


In the 1971 Sydney Test, English captain Ray Illingworth led his side off the field after SCG spectators bombarded the team with (presumably empty) beer cans. 

The world’s very first streaker, Michael Angelow, stormed the ground at Lords during the second Test in 1975.


Aussie batsmen Syd Gregory's 201 in Sydney is the highest score in an Ashes loss. Gregory has also played the most Ashes Tests with 52.

Australia's heartbreaking 2 run loss to England at Edgbaston in 2005 was the closest match ever.


The Ashes isn’t the world’s oldest cricketing rivalry. That honour belongs to the legendary 1844 cricketing contest between Canada and the United States. 

Not surprisingly, Sir Donald Bradman holds the batting record for Australia, with a sterling 334 in 1930. But Englishman Len Hutton has the overall Ashes record, with his 364 at The Oval in 1938. The Poms registered a score of 7/903 that match – the second highest innings in history.


In 1905, English captain Stanley Jackson almost won the Ashes by itself. He had the leading batting and bowling averages for the series and he won all five coin tosses. Basically, he was the exact opposite of 2010/2011 Ricky Ponting.


The SCG is England's most successful Ashes venue. The Poms have played 15 of their 28 matches there. Sadly, expect that to become 16 out of 29 very soon...