When one thinks about the Test matches, The Ashes is something that comes to the mind of every cricketing fan, primarily because of the fact that over the years, the rivalry has produced some mouth-watering clashes over the year. One more major reason which has the fans follow the series so curiously is that both the teams have been stalwarts of the cricketing world from primitive times to the modern era.
Also, Ashes is also a series where stars are born. It is a series where players become stars to superstars and certainly a player to watch out for in the future. Moreover, winning the Player of the Match award in an Ashes match is a matter of great pride and a feat for any player. Here are some of the players who have won the most prestigious award the maximum number of times.
Steven Smith (7 times)
Arguably one of the best Test batters that the world has ever seen, Steven Smith is leading the chart with the maximum number of Player of Match awards in the history of the Ashes. With his unorthodox style of batting, the prolific middle-order batter is arguably the best Test batter of this generation. Smith has won the Player of the Match award in the Ashes on seven different occasions.
Ian Botham (5 times)
Ian Botham was regarded as one of the most versatile all-rounders of the late 1970s and 1980s. He came to fame when Botham led England to an astonishing Ashes victory with three match-winning performances which compromised two performances with bat and one with the ball. Throughout his career, Botham received the Player of the Match award on five different occasions in the Ashes.
Ricky Ponting (5 times)
Arguably, one of the best captains and Top order batters who was known for his aggressive captaincy as well as attitude on the field is Ricky Ponting. With those mind blowing hooks, and hooping footwork, Ponting accumulated a lot of runs throughout his career. Throughout his Ashes career, Ponting won the Player of the Match award on five occasions.
Shane Warne (5 times)
The spin wizard as well as one of the greatest spinners that the world has ever seen, Shane Warne has taken above 700 wickets throughout his career. Warne, throughout his Ashes career, has bagged the Player of the Match award on five occasions.
Mitchell Johnson (4 times)
A prime example of an aggressive attitude for fast bowler, Mitchell Johnson did trouble a lot of batters throughout his International Test career for Australia. Johnson won the Player of the Match award on four occasions in the Ashes.
Glenn McGrath (4 times)
With smooth as well as rhythmic run-up and his ability to seam the bowl even in adverse conditions certainly helped Glenn McGrath make a name for himself. With over 900 International wickets, McGrath won the Player of the Match on four different occasions playing for Australia in Ashes