Tom Horan (born Midleton, Co Cork; 15 Ashes tests for Australia): Horan played in the first ever test match in 1877, and made his only century against England at the MCG in 1881/82. He played in six Ashes series, captaining his adopted country twice and is acknowledged as the father of Australian cricket journalism. Ashes record: 471 runs, 11 wickets.

Tom Kelly (born Co Waterford; 2 Ashes tests for Australia): Kelly's family first emigrated to England . . . where he played cricket as a boy with WG Grace . . . before moving on to Melbourne. He made his debut in 1876/7, making 19 and 35, and played again two years later alongside Horan. Ashes record: 64 runs.

Leland Hone (born Dublin, 1 Ashes test for England): Hone never played for a county cricket but was selected for the 1878/79 tour while playing for Phoenix and MCC. He played against Kelly and Horan at the MCG in the only test of that tour. Ashes record: 13 runs.

Timothy O'Brien (born Dublin, 2 Ashes tests for England): the irascible Sir Tim (right) was first capped in 1884 on the back of a great innings for Oxford University against Australia and played once again in 1888. He found test cricket a bit too demanding but captained England in South Africa in 1896. Later moved home and captained Ireland. Ashes record: 24 runs.

Freddie Fane (born Co Kildare; 4 Ashes tests for England) born to a military family on the Curragh, Fane played for Essex for more than 20 years. He played 14 tests for England, including four on the 1907-08 Ashes tour where he made one 50. Ashes record: 192 runs.

Martin McCague (born Larne, Co Antrim; 3 Ashes tests for England): McCague was raised in Australia but was capped by England thanks to his Ulster birthplace.

Impressed on 1993 debut in Nottingham, but 18 months later the Aussie press gave him a hard time - 'the rat that joined a sinking ship' was one headline - and he had a nightmare in Brisbane. Famously drank 72 pints of Guinness on his stag weekend in Dublin. Ashes record: 21 runs, 6 wickets.