Marylebone Cricket Club organised the England cricket team's tour of Australia in the 1924âÂÂ25 season. Australia won the Ashes series 4âÂÂ1.
The series was the first Test series to be hosted in Australia for four years, with Australia holding the Ashes courtesy of their 3-0 victory away during the 1921 Ashes series. The tourists were led by Arthur Gilligan, a Cambridge-educated man from a wealthy family, while the Australian captain was Herbie Collins, a compulsive gambler who had been known to run card games and spend time in Monte Carlo during the 1921 tour. On the field, six Australians made their Test debuts, including Clarrie Grimmett, Bill Ponsford and future Australian captain Vic Richardson. Australia won the series 4-1 and were considered the better team overall, although they won the 3rd test only narrowly, by just 11 runs. Herbert Sutcliffe was considered the best batter of the series despite his team's losing effort, scoring 734 runs at an average of 81.55, including four centuries.
The first Test included a record 127-run tenth-wicket partnership between Johnny Taylor and Arthur Mailey, which stood as Australia's best for that wicket until Phillip Hughes and Ashton Agar set a new world record by scoring 163 against England in the First Test at Trent Bridge in July 2013.
The English team had a stopover in Colombo en route to Australia and played a one-day single-innings match there against the Ceylon national team, which at that time did not have Test status.
Off the field, English captain Gilligan was investigated by the Commonwealth Investigative Branch due to his fascist links, as an active member of the British Fascists. Gilligan attempted to recruit for the organisation and establish branches throughout the country, although no negative outcomes occurred for Gilligan.
The third test was controversial, as Australian captain Collins well known for his gambling, was reported to have been offered ã100 to throw the match. Despite his denials, including vowing to "throw the man downstairs". Collin's bowling choices on the final day were questioned as Australia only won by 11 runs.