Reflecting on England’s period of Ashes dominance between 2009 and 2013

Every two years, the Ashes renews the intense sporting rivalry between England and Australia. This historic cricketing encounter is one of sport’s great traditions, and many sporting heroes have been made in an Ashes test over the years. 

With the 2023 Ashes series continuing apace, and with fans eagerly examining the Ashes betting odds, it’s a good time to look back on some of the historic battles between England and Australia. It’s interesting to see how trends and spells of dominance have developed throughout the list of past Ashes series.  

While much of the Ashes’ recent history is dominated by Australia, let’s zero in on England’s run of three successive Ashes triumphs between 2009 and 2013, and take a look at how this golden period unfolded for England.

2009

With Australia having claimed a stunning 5-0 home series win in 2006-07, England had a point to prove as their old rivals made the visit in the summer of 2009.

There was little to separate the two teams in the First Test, with a magnificent 150 from Australia’s Ricky Ponting the highlight of a game that ended all square. 

In the Second Test, England took control, winning by 115 runs thanks in large part to some outstanding batting from captain Andrew Strauss. The third Test ended in a draw giving England a strong position going into the final two contests.

However, Australia weren’t going down without a fight, and they levelled the series thanks to a commanding victory at Headingley. 

That set up a showdown at the Oval, where a second-innings century from Jonathan Trott helped England to a 197-run triumph, regaining the Ashes in the process.

2010-11

England travelled Down Under in search of their first Ashes win in Australia since 1987, so there was plenty of motivation among Strauss and his charges.

After a draw in the First Test in Brisbane, England secured a precious victory in Adelaide to establish a strong foothold in the Series. Australia levelled things in the next Test meaning it was all the play for in the final two meetings.

It was to be England’s moment of glory though, as successive victories in Melbourne and Sydney meant they successfully retained the Ashes, earning a rare triumph Down Under. Terrific performances from Trott and Alastair Cook meant the Aussies had no answer to England’s firepower.

2013

Following England’s success in Australia two and a half years earlier, there was plenty of optimism ahead of the 2013 series. It was Cook’s first Ashes as captain, but there was to be no let-up in England’s stranglehold on the famous old urn.

A closely contested encounter at Trent Bridge saw England get off to a perfect start, snatching a 14-run victory, before stunning batting from Ian Bell and Joe Root helped the home side to a dominant victory in the Second Test at Lord’s.

A draw in the third test meant Australia had it all to do if they were to regain the Ashes, and England twisted the knife in the Fourth Test, winning by 74 runs and sealing another Series triumph. The final Test ended in a draw, meaning England had completed an Ashes Series unbeaten for the first time since 1977.