Queens Park Rangers' football ground in west London was the unlikely setting for the first Ashes Test on 12 December, 1908.

A crowd of just 2,000 were pitchside to see the home side, playing under the banner of Northern Union or England in the early days, share the spoils in a 22-22 draw.

The number of spectators increased tenfold for the second Test in Newcastle.

The home side won that one 15-5 before wrapping up the series with a narrow 6-5 success in Birmingham.

A year later, it was Australia's turn to play host.

But the change of hemisphere failed to result in a change of fortune for the team from down under. They lost each of the Tests in Sydney and Brisbane.

Australia eventually claimed their first victory in 1911, when the series returned to Newcastle.

But it was Britain who continued to hold the upper hand until the middle of the last century.

In recent years, the Kangaroos have been on top and Great Britain has not won a series for 31 years.

That 1970 tour started off badly for the British team, who lost the first Test in Brisbane.

The rampage continued, with the "Invincibles", who were led by Max Krilich, chalking up a whopping 99 points in three Tests.

Britain's losing run finally came to an end in 1988.

The series had already been conceded but pride was salvaged with a 26-12 win in the third Test in Sydney.

The highlight of the 1990 series was Australia's 14-0 win in the deciding third Test at Elland Road.

Great Britain also forced a decider in the 1992 series after a thrilling 33-10 win in the second Test in Melbourne, a scoreline that equalled their biggest ever margin of victory.