Who have been the last five destroyers in the Ashes?

The Ashes gets underway at midnight on Wednesday at the Gabba with England looking to defend the urn.

Both Australia and England possess key bowlers who could make the difference for their countries, such as Mitchell Starc and Jimmy Anderson.

Starc could be the superstar of this series, joining these bowlers who have produced Ashes heroics in the last decade…

2015 – Stuart Broad (England) – 21 wickets at an average of 20.90 each

Delivered one of the most thrilling bowling spells in Ashes history on the first day of the fourth Test, taking an unforgettable 8-15 as Australia were routed for just 60 as England retained the urn at Trent Bridge. 

He passed 300 wickets during the spell and equalled the fastest Test five-wicket haul – 19 deliveries – as the tourists were dismissed in 111 balls.

Stuart delivered one of the most thrilling bowling spells on the first day of fourth Test in 2015

2013-14 – Mitchell Johnson (Australia) – 37 wkts at 13.97

The undisputed man of the series. The previously much-maligned left-armer bowled at the speed of light to blow away England’s batsmen. His thunderbolts ensured a 5-0 whitewash and ended several careers.

Mitchell Johnson’s onslaughts ensured a 5-0 whitewash in the 2013-14 Ashes series

2013 – Graeme Swann (England) – 26 wkts at 29.03

From pure pace to craft and guile as England’s superlative off-spinner had Australia in a twist. He took more than double the wickets (26) than Australia’s frontline spinners Nathan Lyon and Ashton Agar managed between them (11) in the series.

England’s Graeme Swann had Australia in a twist during the 2013 series in England

2010-11 – James Anderson (England) – 24 wkts at 26.04

Often derided for his performances overseas but England’s king of swing showed he could be deadly Down Under, as he played a huge role in Andrew Strauss’s memorable 3-1 win – with a scarcely believable three innings victories. Anderson claimed seven more wickets than anyone else in the series.

James Anderson claimed seven more wickets than anyone else in the 2010-11 series

2006-07 – Stuart Clark (Australia) – 26 wkts at 17.03

This great Australian side gained revenge for losing the great 2005 series by claiming a whitewash back on home soil. Their attack boasted Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath, but it was the unheralded steady Eddie seamer Clark who proved England’s nemesis. 

Stuart Clark proved England’s biggest foe in a 5-0 whitewash during the 2006-07 series

In 2009, Australia’s Ben Hilfenhaus was the leading wicket-taker (22wkts at 27.45avg) in a 2-1 series defeat. England’s most prolific bowler was Broad (18wkts at 30.22 avg).