Top 5 run scorers in the history of Ashes

The Ashes series is the oldest and perhaps the most fiercely fought rivalry in the history of cricket. It all started in 1882 when England lost to Australia for the first time on English soil. Since then, the series has always been the most important one for both the English and Aussie fans.

There have been some stunning performances from both the sides in this historic face-off. Over the years, it has always been the batsman with a great temperament who has been able to score runs consistently in such demanding circumstances.

On that note, let us have a look at the top 5 run scorers from both sides in the history of the Ashes.

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#5 David Gower

David Gower

With 3037 runs at an average of 46.01, the stylish David Gower is number five on the list. He scored a brilliant 102 in his second Ashes Test on a fast and bouncy pitch at WACA, Perth. Arguably his best performance came in the 1985 series in England, where he also ended up as the victorious captain.

With three centuries, including a double century, Gower stamped his class on the Ashes. He ended his Ashes journey in the 1990-91 series scoring 407 runs with two centuries.

#4 Steve Waugh

Steve Waugh

Steve Waugh was the true embodiment of the Australian qualities of grit and determination. Not the most talented of batsmen, he was, however very tough and played some extremely important innings against England over the years. He scored 3173 runs at an average of 58.75 studded with ten hundreds in the Ashes.

His best performances came in the 1989 and 1993 series. Fittingly, he signed off against England with a well made 102 in Sydney in 2002.

#3 Allan Border

Allan Border

One of the fiercest competitors to play the game, Allan Border is credited with turning the fortunes of Australia around after taking over as the captain in 1984-85. As a batsman, he rarely threw his wicket away. Border was the kind of player you would bet your life on in an Ashes series.

Australia's former skipper scored a total of 3222 runs over a period of fifteen years from 1978-79 to 1993 with seven hundreds. He was the top batsman in the 1981 series, averaged close to 66 in 1985 and ended his Ashes journey with an unbeaten 200 in 1993.

#2 Sir Jack Hobbs

Sir Jack Hobbs

Popularly known as 'The Master', Hobbs was perhaps the most prolific batsman in cricket. With a staggering 61760 runs in first-class cricket, his tally is unlikely to be surpassed by anyone anytime soon.

In the Ashes, he scored a total of 3636 runs at an average of 54.26 in 41 matches. He is also England's highest scorer in the series and ended his Ashes journey with a well made 142 in Melbourne in 1929, becoming the oldest man to score a test century.

#1 Sir Don Bradman

Don Bradman

No surprises whatsoever at who's number one. 'The Don' as he is popularly known leads the pack with a mind-boggling 5028 runs in just 37 matches at an astonishing average of 89.78. With more hundreds than half centuries (19 to 12), he is also the only man to score two triple centuries in the Ashes.

Even when England resorted to tactics often deemed as brutal and unfair - Bodyline in the 1932-33 series - he still averaged a very respectable 56.