Guardian Ranks 100 Greatest Men's Ashes Cricketers: Warne Tops, Bradman Close Behind
The Guardian published an interactive feature ranking the 100 greatest men's Ashes cricketers of all time, authored by Barney Ronay and released initially on November 11, 2025, with updates around November 14. This comprehensive project involves a detailed methodology section, interactive elements including a No. 1 ranking, a video review of the top 10, and insight into how the judges voted.
The Ashes rivalry between Australia and England began in 1877, and 853 players have competed in Australia v England Tests since then. The Guardian engaged 51 judges who selected their top 50 Ashes cricketers, awarding points from 50 for the No. 1 player down to 1 for the 50th, culminating in the Guardian’s Ashes Top 100 list. Judges had to include at least 15 players from each country and five from five different eras, interpreting 'performances in Ashes cricket' as they saw fit. Notably, the list features a 50:50 split between Australian and English players, with Australia featuring prominently with seven of the top 10 and 14 of the top 25 players. Most top-25 players debuted between 1946 and 1975, with only four 21st-century debutants in the top 25: Steve Smith, Stuart Broad, Adam Gilchrist, and Andrew Flintoff. The list includes 15 all-rounders, nine English, and the sole wicketkeeper among the top 50 is Gilchrist at 21, while Alan Knott is the highest-ranked English keeper at 53. The Ashes XIs were formed by role, with Broad included in the all-time XI ahead of Miller due to Miller’s classification as an all-rounder.
Leading the list is Shane Warne, who amassed 2,503 voting points and was No. 1 on 14 of the 51 judges' ballots. Warne tops the all-time Ashes wicket list with 195 wickets and is praised not only for his performance but also for his style, humour, and charisma. He finished 121 points ahead of Don Bradman, who leads with 5,028 Ashes runs and was No. 1 on 33 judges' ballots. Ian Botham and Glenn McGrath followed, both exceeding 2,000 points. The gap between ranks five to seven was notably tighter than that between ranks eighty-five and eighty-six, reflecting close competition among top players.
Alongside the rankings, The Guardian invited readers to pick their favourite Ashes cricketer and share memories. Other popular choices include Ian Botham for his aggressive style, Ricky Ponting for his centuries, and Andrew Flintoff for both sledging and sportsmanship. Six current players named as likely to feature in future Ashes include Steve Smith, Ben Stokes, Pat Cummins, Joe Root, Nathan Lyon, and Mitchell Starc.
This feature, hosted by Guardian Sport and covering the Ashes 2025-26 context, presents a comprehensive look back at a storied rivalry, blending historical performance with modern perspectives from judges and fans alike.
