Graham Gooch and the Top 5: Ashes tashes

Mitchell Johnson's moustache cultivation coincided with a purple patch with the ball, much to England's demise. (©GettyImages).

England and Australia have attempted to out-do each other on a cricket field for the last 137 years, but sometimes ability with a bat or ball is not enough to strike fear into the opposition and gain the upper hand.

For those privileged few who have the capability of doing so, a full-length moustache can signal the masculinity of a man. And there have been plenty of Ashes participants who have attempted to pull off brave facial hair styles.

With Movember making moustaches more fashionable in recent years, there has been something of a whisker renaissance, but we must look back a few decades if we are to appreciate some brilliant metrosexual grooming.

The proud bearers of some of these tashes – representative from both Australia and England feature – have had historic moments in Ashes matches down the years.

Style, substance and success are all key factors involved in judging of the greatest moustaches in Ashes history.

You can click the 'begin slideshow' button below to discover the top five Ashes tashes.