Highest run scorers in the Ashes all time
The Ashes is a crucible that makes or breaks legends, but who are the finest run-scorers in the greatest series of all?
First played in the 1880s, Ashes records are some of the oldest in sport. The players with the most Ashes runs have enjoyed considerable success across multiple series in varying conditions.
Inevitably, these players have been part of victorious teams, often enjoying periods of dominance in Test cricket’s most historic rivalry.
The top five is dominated by Aussies, with one of their current greats aiming to climb higher in the 2025/26 series down under.
No current England player makes the list but should Joe Root pile on the runs in Australia – we're talking 700+ – he could force his way onto it.
RadioTimes.com brings you the five leading run scorers in Ashes history – as of the start of the 2025/26 series.
Most runs scored in the Ashes
5. Steve Waugh – 3,143 runs
Only Syd Gregory played in more Ashes Tests than Steve Waugh. Talismanic and ruthless as a captain, Waugh is the most successful skipper in modern Test history, leading two Ashes series wins, and claiming eight victories from nine Ashes matches as captain.
As a batter, Waugh was very aggressive in his early days, but became more effective later in his career. A long-term back issue restricted the shots available to him at times, yet he remained incredibly imposing against both pace and spin bowlers.
His Test average of around 51 was impressive, and he exceeded that in Ashes play with a mark of over 58.
4. Allan Border – 3,222 runs
Captaining 28 Ashes Tests (six more than anyone else), Allan Border brought in a new era of Australian cricket. Border was a fierce warrior, averaging 55.55 in Ashes matches, and he instilled a hard-nosed attitude into the Australian team which they built on after his retirement to dominate the Test arena.
A compact and in some ways limited batter, Border was not pleasing on the eye, and had an Ashes strike rate of under 43. He was stubborn, however, and very rarely gave his wicket away.
5. Steve Smith – 3,417 runs
A modern great. Steve Smith is the only active player who makes the top five list.
Smith was originally picked as a leg-spinning all-rounder but despite his unconventional technique, he has developed into perhaps the best batter in the modern era and one of the finest Australia have ever produced.
A complete cricket obsessive, the 36-year-old has exceptional hand-eye coordination and is a brilliant shot-maker. However, what sets him apart is his determination, resilience and patience.
It might not always be pretty but teams just cannot get him out. He has caused English bowlers headaches in previous Ashes series and will likely continue to do just that this winter.
Smith climbed to third in the list of all-time Ashes run scorers in the 2023 series and will have Jack Hobbs in his sights.
2. Jack Hobbs – 3,636 runs
Playing 41 Ashes Tests between 1908 and 1930, Jack Hobbs amassed 3,636 runs against Australia, making him the only Englishman in the top five Ashes run scorers. Hobbs notched 12 Ashes centuries, and was widely considered the best player of his era.
Able to score around the ground, and with the technique to survive even in the most challenging conditions, Hobbs was one of the earliest cricketing stars. He was not necessarily the most elegant, but many have noted his quiet confidence and adaptability.
1. Don Bradman – 5,028 runs
Accepted as the greatest batter in the history of the sport, Don Bradman averaged a shade under 90 in Ashes Tests, with a high score of 334. He was so dominant in 1930, scoring 974 runs in the series, that England adopted Bodyline for the 1932-33 tour, prompting further ill-feeling between the two teams.
Bradman averaged only 56.57 in eight innings in the series, but he was back to his unstoppable best when Australia returned to England in 1934. England had no answer for Bradman’s brilliance throughout his career.
His run tally in Ashes cricket is far clear of anyone else, and it’s one of Bradman's many records which look unbreakable.
How to watch the Ashes on TV and live stream
The Ashes will be shown live on TNT Sports.
There are multiple ways to get TNT Sports. If you already have BT Broadband, you can add TNT Sports to your existing contract from just £18 per month. You can add the ‘Big Sport’ package for £40 per month which includes all TNT Sports and 11 Sky Sports channels via a NOW pass.
You can also access TNT Sports via discovery+ and stream directly to your smart TV.
You can watch the Ashes on TNT Sports via discovery+ Premium monthly pass without signing up to a contract.
Regular subscribers can also stream matches on a variety of devices including laptops, smartphones and tablets via the discovery+ app.
discovery+ is the new streaming home of TNT Sports, showing events including live Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Premiership Rugby, UFC, Boxing and MotoGP. Learn more here: discoveryplus.com
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TNT Sports and discovery+ have exclusive live TV coverage of the Ashes, which can also be watched through Amazon Prime Video, while fans can listen to every ball of the series via Test Match Special on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra.
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