The Ashes
The Ashes is a symbol of international cricket matches played between England and Australia. The Ashes were supposedly what remained of English cricket after the Australians had beaten them in the first test match played in England.
| File:Ashes Urn.jpg The Ashes urn, made of terracotta and about 10.5
cm (4") tall, is reputed to contain the ashes of a burnt cricket bail. | |
| Countries |  AustraliaFile:Flag of England.svg England |
|---|---|
| Administrator | International Cricket Council |
| Format | Test cricket |
| First Edition | 1882–83 (Australia) |
| Latest Edition | 2023 (England) |
| Next Edition | 2025–26 (Australia) |
| Tournament format | 5-match series |
| Number of teams | 2 |
| Current trophy holder | Australia (Series drawn) (2023) |
| Most successful | Australia (34 series wins, six retentions) |
| Most runs | Donald Bradman (5,028) |
| Most wickets | Shane Warne (195) |
| 33px 2023 Ashes series | |
The name comes from a small pot (known as an "urn") of ashes, which was made and presented to the England captain in 1882. It was based on a joke printed in The Sporting Times, an English newspaper. Someone placed an advertisement in the pages of the paper, describing how English cricket had died and its body had been cremated.
The Ashes Media
Fred Spofforth, "The Demon Bowler", was instrumental in Australia's 1882 victory over England with 14 wickets for 90.
- DeathofEnglishCricket.jpg
The death notice that appeared in The Sporting Times
- SCG 1883 01-3 SLNSW FL1616387.jpg
England v. Australia Cricket Match at the Sydney Cricket Ground, 27 January 1883
- Ashes Urn 1921.jpg
The earliest published photo of the Ashes urn, from The Illustrated London News, 1921
- Rupertswood mansion side angle shot.jpg
Rupertswood outside Melbourne, where the urn was presented to Bligh
The full version of the song from the Melbourne Punch, the fourth verse of which is pasted onto the urn
Caricature of Ivo Bligh, 8th Earl of Darnley.
- Herbert Sutcliffe 1924.jpg
Herbert Sutcliffe sweeps Arthur Mailey during the first Ashes Test in Sydney, 1924.
- 4th Test Woodfull.jpg
Bill Woodfull evades a ball from Harold Larwood with Bodyline field settings.
- Peter May.jpg
Peter May driving Bill Johnston on his way to a century at Sydney.
Related pages
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