Most Runs in Ashes History

The Ashes is back as Australia hosts England for a blockbuster five-Test campaign, which gets underway at Perth Stadium from 21-25 November. So, before the start of the series, let's have a look at the batters with most runs in Ashes history.

Payal DebnathNovember 18, 2025 at 01:13 PM3 min read
Most Runs in Ashes History
The Ashes is back as Australia hosts England for a blockbuster five-Test campaign, which gets underway at Perth Stadium from 21-25 November. So, before the start of the series, let's have a look at the batters with most runs in Ashes history.

The Cricket’s oldest rivalry, the Ashes is back as Australia hosts England for a blockbuster five-Test campaign, which gets underway at Perth Stadium from 21-25 November. It will be the 74th Test series between the rivals, with Australia the victor on 34 occasions compared to England’s 32.

That fixture will be a day-night match using a pink ball - the first time an Ashes Test has been held under floodlights at the ground. England will then head to the Adelaide Oval for the third Test from 17 to 21 December. That match will be followed by the traditional Boxing Day Test at the 100,024-capacity Melbourne Cricket Ground from 26 to 30 December. The five-match series concludes at the Sydney Cricket Ground from 4 to 8 January.

So, before the start of the series, let's have a look at the batters with most runs in Ashes history.

Most Runs in Ashes History

5. Steve Waugh | 3173 Runs

Most Runs in Ashes History

Memories of facing Steve Waugh are likely to be particularly painful for England fans, even though he lost his first Ashes series in 1986–87. After that defeat, Waugh was part of the team which won eight straight Ashes series up until his final campaign in 2003. He also did score 3173 runs with 10 hundreds, 14 fifties and an impressive 58.75 batting average.

4. Allan Border | 3222 Runs

Most Runs in Ashes History

The former Australia captain scored seven centuries and marked his final Ashes series in 1993 with an incredible 200 not out in the fourth Test at Headingley. Border batted in 73 innings against England, more than anyone else in the top eight, and smashed 3,222 runs registering a total of 26 scores of 50+ runs with an impressive average of 55.55.

3. Steve Smith | 3417 Runs

Most Runs in Ashes History

Modern great Steve Smith is third on the list and the highest-scoring active Ashes batter scoring 3417 runs. In the 2023 Ashes series, Smith surpassed Australian icons Allan Border and Steve Waugh. Smith has scored 12 hundreds in The Ashes, the most of any player on either team since Bradman retired in 1948. He has added a further 13 fifties and averages 56.01 with the bat against England.

Smith's best performance came in Perth, as he scored an astonishing 239 from 399 balls in the third Test in 2017. 

2. Jack Hobbs | 3636 Runs

Most Runs in Ashes History

England legend Jack Hobbs is second on the list of most runs scored in Ashes Tests. His Ashes career spanned 22 years, ending in 1930, just as Bradman began his domination. Hobbs hit 12 hundreds and 15 fifties, totalling 27 scores over 50, second only to Bradman. With 3,636 Ashes runs, Hobbs remains England’s all-time leading Ashes run-scorer.

Also Read: Most Sixes in Test Cricket

1. Don Bradman | 5028 Runs

Most Runs in Ashes History

Sir Donald Bradman tops the list for most runs Ashes history. Widely regarded as the greatest Test batter of all time, Bradman amassed 5,028 runs against England between 1928 and 1948; a record that’s unlikely to ever be broken. He played 37 Ashes Tests and scored 19 centuries, seven more than any other player in history.

Payal Debnath

Payal Debnath is a content writer with a deep passion for cricket. With years of experience covering sports content, she brings a unique perspective to every piece, from player analyses to match previews and game recaps. A lifelong fan of MS Dhoni, she draws inspiration from Dhoni's calm under pressure, leadership skills, and unmatched finishing ability. Combining a love for the game with a decent writing style, she delivers captivating content that keeps fans informed and engaged.

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