In pictures: The Ashes through history

The England team for the second Test of the 1899 Ashes series against Australia. The Australians won the match by 10 wickets. All the other four matches of the series were drawn. A print from The Book of Cricket, a Gallery of Famous Players, edited by CB Fry, George Newnes Ltd, London, c1899.

Tibby Cotter of Australia bowling to Wilfred Rhodes of England in the second Ashes Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, 30 December 1911 to 3 January 1912. England won the match by eight wickets. (Credit: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

The English cricket team during a team photo at the start of their Ashes campaign, 1928. SMH SPORT Picture by HH FISHWICK. (Credit: Fairfax Media/Fairfax Media via Getty Images)

Don Bradman of Australia in bat while wicketkeeper Godfrey Evans and Bill Edrich field for England during the first Ashes Test match at Trent Bridge in Nottingham, England, 1948. Australia won by eight wickets. (Credit: Allsport Hulton/Archive)

'The Ashes', a funeral trophy for which English and Australian cricket teams compete. It is kept in the Long Room of the pavilion at Lord's cricket ground in London. Picture dated 1951. (Credit: Central Press/Getty Images)

Mr and Mrs O’Neill, Mr and Mrs Williams and Mr Deane wait for day two of the third test to commence at the SCG, 5 January 1951. SMH Picture by Frank Burke.

A victorious England team carries their captain Ray Illingworth off the field after clinching the Ashes by a 62 run win in the 7th Test Match in Sydney.

Two captains, Australia's Ian Chappell, left, and England's Ray Illingworth, toast the end of The Ashes Series at the Fifth Test at The Oval, during Australia's 1972 tour of England, 10 -16 August 1972.

Ian Chappell of Australia drops the ball from Derek Pringle of England during First Ashes Test match in Perth, Australia, 1982. The match ended in a draw. (Credit: Adrian Murrell/Allsport/Getty Images)