England vs. Australia: 5 Greatest Ashes Heroes of All Time

From Botham to Brearley and Lillee to Larwood, the Ashes is there to create heroes. With the series now in full swing, it's already created a few mini heroes within just four days.

With so many players having been featured throughout the years, it's nearly impossible to pick five heroes. We've put our necks on the line and managed to whittle what should be an illustrious list, down to just five players.

Doubtless, we've missed some of the greats. Add your thoughts in the comments. 

England: Ian Botham

Everybody knows about the year of 1981, which will forever be remembered as "Beefy's Ashes". He was not only a brutal, bashing batsman, but he was equally destructive with the ball and reliable in the slips.

Botham combined with Bob Willis to win the third Test at Headingley from a near impossible position.

England were 500-1 with the bookies, as they collapsed to 105-5. Botham hammered an unbeaten 145 to help England set the visitors a target of 125. Willis then ripped the heart out of the attack and skittled the Aussies out for 111.

He finished his career with an average of 33.54 with the bat and a bowling average of 28.40. 

Australia: Don Bradman

Forever written into cricketing folklore with his batting average of 99.94, was the skipper of the Australian 'Invincibles" team. He led the Aussies on a record-breaking tour of England in 1948 when they finished unbeaten.

While he did struggle during the bodyline tour of 1932-33, he was far less fussed later in his career. Those tactics were seemingly the only way England could contain him. Those tactics weren't around during that momentous tour in 1948.

Australia: Shane Warne

For over a decade, Shane Warne tormented cricketing teams across the world. He was, arguably, the best spinner of all time.

The finest leg-spinner to ever grace the stage, he will be remembered for his "Ball of The Century" which was the first ball he ever bowled in Ashes Cricket.

Mike Gatting was at the receiving end of a ball which ripped across him from outside his leg stump and sent him on his way.

Warne ended his career with a bowling average of 25.41.

Australia: Dennis Lillee

Despite a rather silly head band, Dennis Lillee was always at the heels of the English. During the 1970s, he ripped through the batting attack.

He had the uncanny ability of breaking partnerships and picking up wickets in the most impossible conditions. He was instrumental in two Ashes victories and his career was littered with illustrious figures.

Many will say that Lillee is possibly one of the best quicks of all time and he certainly is one of the most complete bowlers to ever play the game.

England: Jim Laker

During the 1956 Test at Old Trafford, the Yorkshireman took 19-90 in a match, claiming all 10 Aussie wickets in the second innings.

It's a feat unlikely to ever be repeated again. He suffered against the Australians in his first Ashes series, though. Laker averaged 59-35 in 1948 and wouldn't return to the Test squad until 1956.

His performance at Old Trafford earned him a more regular spot in the side.

Honourable Mentions: McGrath, Jardine and Larwood

Glenn McGrath is one of the greatest fast bowlers all time. Taking 563 wickets in his time, he was incredibly quick. His duel with Michael Atherton is one of the greatest mini-rivalries in the Ashes.

He retired from cricket after England were whitewashed 5-0 by Australian in 2007.

Douglas Jardine captained England to victory during the 1932-33 series. He was the mastermind behind the "Bodyline" tactics. Harold Larwood was one of the quicks to take part in the Bodyline tactics.

Larwood took 33 wickets in the 1932-33 series and even managed to keep a lid on Don Bradman's antics.