The Guardian Ranks Top 100 Men's Ashes Cricketers with Shane Warne Leading
The Guardian has published an extensive feature ranking the 100 greatest men's Ashes cricketers of all time, based on votes from 51 judges. This result coincides with the Ashes 2025-26 series and provides a comprehensive view of achievements in the historic England versus Australia cricket rivalry, which began in 1877.
The judging panel assigned points from 50 for their top choice down to 1 for their 50th, focusing only on Ashes performances. Judges were required to select at least 15 players from each country and include at least five players from each of five eras: pre-World War I; interwar; second World War to 1974; 1975–1999; and 2000 onwards. This approach ensured a balanced representation across time periods.
Leading the rankings is Shane Warne, who amassed 2,503 voting points, placing him ahead of Don Bradman by 121 points. Warne, known not only for his record 195 Ashes wickets but also for his style, humour, and charisma, was chosen as the number one player by 14 judges. Bradman, who holds the record for the most Ashes runs with 5,028, was selected as number one by 33 judges. Ian Botham and Glenn McGrath also surpassed 2,000 points, featuring prominently among the top players.
Although judges varied in their orders, only one judge placed the final top five in an order matching the eventual ranking apart from the position of Douglas Jardine. Australia accounts for seven of the top ten and 14 of the top 25 players, with the overall country split evenly balanced between Australia and England. Notably, only four players who debuted in the 21st century Ashes—Steve Smith, Stuart Broad, Adam Gilchrist, and Andrew Flintoff—appear in the top 25.
The list emphasizes longevity and includes 15 all-rounders, predominantly English, and run-scorers whose concentration is higher among the top ranks. Adam Gilchrist is the sole wicketkeeper appearing in the top 50 at number 21, while England’s highest-ranked keeper is Alan Knott at 53. Of the 100 players ranked, 58 are no longer living.
Six players from the list—Steve Smith, Ben Stokes, Pat Cummins, Joe Root, Nathan Lyon, and Mitchell Starc—are set to participate in the upcoming Ashes series. The Guardian invites readers to vote for their favourite Ashes cricketers, with names such as Botham, Ricky Ponting, and Andrew Flintoff highlighted as notable candidates. Readers can submit detailed responses via an interactive form, with submissions accepted anonymously solely for this feature.
This ranking was first published on 11 November 2025 and updated on 14 November 2025. It includes supporting elements such as a review video of the top 10, a methodology explanation, and access to judge voting details, providing fans an engaging way to explore the prestigious history of the Ashes.
