Ashes fans
The way we used to be
Scenes from the Test that started it all: an illustration of the crowd from the 1882 Oval Test that Australia won by seven runs•Getty Images

Before face paint and vuvuzelas, there were souvenir cricket balls. Spectators stand in line to get into Lord's, 1921•Getty Images

An early precursor to the beer snake. Young fans build a hat tower during tea, at Headingley again, this time in 1938•Getty Images

An Aussie typecast - chilling out with a beer or 20. (What's the kid drinking?) Sydney, 1966•Getty Images

The jubilation following England's extraordinary win at Headingley in 1981 was scarcely contained•PA Photos


Crowds turned out in hordes for the 2006-07 series, since there was a contest in an Australia-England series at long last•Getty Images


There was a time when you could see if it was a head or tail yourself, rather than have to wait for it to be announced over the PA. Bill Woodfull and Percy Chapman toss ahead of the 1930 Old Trafford Test. Woodfull won and chose to bat; the match was drawn•PA Photos

The ladies were admiring but restrained after Jim Laker took a match haul of 11 wickets at Headingley, 1956•PA Photos

The 1970s were certainly not restrained. Here, John Snow is grabbed by a spectator angry at him having felled Terry Jenner with a bumper, in Sydney, 1971•Getty Images

Merv Hughes-style moustaches were all the rage in 1993•Paul McGregor/Getty Images

The crowd shows its support for Shane Warne in Melbourne, 2002•PA Photos

Who said players are not approachable anymore? Graeme Swann celebrates England retaining the Ashes in 2013 by chugging a mug with fans•Associated Press

One way of putting bums on seats. Spectators are encouraged to rent cushions at Headingley, 1930•Getty Images

The Gabba long before multi-coloured bucket seats took over•PA Photos

And here Geoff Boycott is mobbed by fans - mostly shirtless - after he got his 100th first-class hundred, at Headingley, 1977•PA Photos

Two Australian fans get a bird's eye view of the action from a hired cherry picker outside Headingley, 2001•Getty Images

The party spilled out into Trafalgar Square when England won the Ashes in 2005•Getty Images