United rivals- The all time best Ashes XI

3. Sir Don Bradman (Australia, captain):

Ashes statistics – Matches: 37. Runs: 5,028. Average: 89.78. Centuries: 19. Highest Ashes score: 334.

Bradman stands a man apart in the world of cricket and is the first name on any all-time team sheet. Talk in sport often gravitates towards lengthy discussions about the best, but in cricket the focus is on second. Bradman was the most prodigious run-scorer ever and, although his average against England was lower than his legendary life-time Test mark of 99.94, it still exceeds all other batsmen.

He was dropped after his debut against England in Brisbane in 1928-29, but following a first century on his return he never looked back and records made way, wherever he went. As captain, he never lost a series against England, culminating with the 1948 “Invincibles”, who finished their tour – Bradman’s last – unbeaten. In his own words: “When you play Test cricket, you don’t give the Englishmen an inch. Play it tough, all the way. Grind them into the dust.” He’s captain, and there are no vice-captains. It’s obvious – the great Don is at number three.