The Ashes is a test series played between Australia and England. It has a rich history and tradition, as they were the two nations that started playing international cricket, and for a large part of cricket’s history, test cricket was the only format. The rivalry still holds good, after more than 140 years. We will now have a look at the highest individual scores in 21st century in Ashes.
10. Ricky Ponting (2006)
Ricky Ponting was the captain of the Australian side, which hosted the English side. This was the first game of the series, in Brisbane. Australia batted first and scored a massive total of 602, thanks to a 209-run partnership between Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke. Ponting was the lead-scorer in this innings. Australia eventually won the match by 277 runs. Ricky Ponting scored 196 runs in this innings.
9. Matthew Hayden (2002)
This game was also in Brisbane, like the one just mentioned above. Australia had a dominating win in this game, winning the match by 384 runs. Matthew Hayden was terrific in this game scoring 300 runs across both the innings. Australia batted first in this game and scored 492. This was mainly due to a massive century by Hayden. Matthew Hayden scored 197 runs in this innings.
8. Paul Collingwood (2006)
England batted first against Australia in this game. They were trailing 0-1, ahead of the match. Paul Collingwood notched up an excellent double hundred. What made the knock special was that, the last time an English player scored a double hundred in Australia, was nearly 70 years ago, when Wally Hammond did it. England reached 551, thanks to Collingwood’s knock. Paul Collingwood scored 206 runs in this innings.
7. Steve Smith (2019)
Steve Smith was in a fine run of form in this series, scoring 774 runs. This was the fourth game of the series, with the series level 1-1. In this game, Australia batted first, and scored 497, due to Smith’s double hundred. Eventually Australia won the game by 185 runs. Steve Smith scored 211 runs in this innings.
6. Steve Smith (2015)
England hosted Australia this series, and had won the first match. Australia was on the backfoot. However, Australia exhibited absolute domination in this game. Australia batted first, and scored 566, thanks to a double hundred by Steve Smith. Australia eventually won the match by 405 runs and levelled the series. Steve Smith scored 215 runs in this innings.
5. Kevin Pietersen (2010)
England have historically been poor in Ashes held at Australia. However, in this series, England managed to perform really well. After the first game got drawn, England bowled first and restricted Australia to 245. England in response to that managed to score 620, thanks to Kevin Pietersen’s double hundred. England managed to attain an innings victory. Kevin Pietersen scored 227 runs in this innings.
4. Alastair Cook (2010)
This game was the first test of the 2010 Ashes. England batted first, and conceded a 221-run lead to Australia. However, from there on, English opener Alastair Cook, managed to fight back in a terrific manner. He had a 188-run opening partnership, and then was a part of an unbeaten 329-run partnership for the second wicket. England declared at 517-1. Alastair Cook scored 235 not out in this innings.
3. Steve Smith (2017)
This game was the third test of the 2017-18 Ashes. England batted first and scored 403. Australia, in response to that, put up an even bigger total of 662, thanks to Steve Smith’s double hundred. Australia eventually won the game by an innings and 41 runs. Steve Smith scored 239 runs in this innings.
2. Alastair Cook (2017)
Alastair Cook was at the fag end of his career, and was considered to be getting out of form. However, he produced an absolute masterclass in this innings. Australia scored 327 in the first innings, and in response to that England managed to score 491, thanks to a double hundred from Cook. He carried the bat, and led England to a lead of 164 runs. This was the only game in the series which England managed to draw, as they lost the other four games. Alastair Cook scored 244 not out in this innings.
1. Justin Langer (2002)
Justin Langer was an Australian opener. This game was the 2002 Boxing Day Test. Australia batted first and scored 551, thanks to Langer’s double hundred. Eventually Australia managed to win the game by five wickets. Justin Langer scored 250 runs in this innings.
