One of sport's most celebrated rivalries, the Ashes dates back to 1882. Australia have won three more series than England

For many, the Ashes sparked into life 25 years ago, when Ian Botham produced some heroic deeds as England won in 1981

The same series witnessed the emergence of Australian great Allan Border, who amassed 3,548 runs in 47 Ashes Tests

Australia won back the Ashes on home soil in 1982-83, but England won a stunning match in Melbourne by three runs

England's win in 1985 featured unsung stars such as bowler Richard Ellison. He was man of the match at Edgbaston

Loyal England servants through the 80s, John Emburey and Mike Gatting celebrate during the successful '86-'87 defence

But in 1989, Australia won by an emphatic 4-0 margin in a summer that afforded plenty of time for celebration

When David Gower and John Morris took to the skies in Queensland, England were sliding to defeat in '90-'91

Shane Warne arrived for the '93 Ashes as a raw novice. He left England with 34 wickets as England were thrashed 4-1

England were by now used to defeats, though media interest remained keen for Graham Gooch's tourists in 1994-95

Another series, another star. The punishingly accurate Glenn McGrath took 36 wickets at an average of 19.47 in 1997

Australia won a sixth series on the trot in '98-99. Michael Slater's vital century in Brisbane set the ball rolling

In 2001, Steve Waugh scored a century in the final Test at The Oval with a torn hamstring. Australia won again

England were a shambles in '02-03, and Brett Lee exploited the fast, bouncy Perth surface to make the Poms suffer

Finally, in a series filled with incredible tension, the brilliant Andrew Flintoff helped deliver an England victory in '05