The Ashes is one of the most fiercely contested competitions in international cricket. The cricket news all through the year carries mentions of the Ashes series between England and Australia, either upcoming or past, the iconic test series that both team set the greatest store by. Every series in the intervening months between one and the next Ashes seems to be a preparation for the next Ashes series.
When in 1882, England were defeated on home soil for the first time, the Sporting Times, carried a mock obituary in the tradition of true British wit: "In affectionate remembrance of English cricket, which died at the Oval on 29th August, 1882. Deeply lamented by a large circle of sorrowing friends and acquaintances. R.I.P. The body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia," said the ‘obituary’.
When the English team next toured Australia, they beat the home side 2-1, and were then presented the urn containing the ashes of an item of cricket. Thus began the ‘Ashes Series’ and England went on to win the next seven Ashes series. It is believed by some that the actual urn is the trophy in series, but that is not actually so. The urn remains in the in the Marylebone Cricket Club Museum at Lord's since being presented to the MCC by Ivo Bligh's widow upon his death. Since the 1998-99 Ashes series, a Waterford Crystal representation of the Ashes urn has been presented to the winners of an Ashes series as the coveted official trophy of that series.
It was also the desire for the winning the Ashes that gave rise to the Bodyline cricket controversy, one of the most famous in international cricket history. At the time the Australians had a formidable batting line up, which included the likes of Sir Donald Bradman, Archie Jackson, Stan McCabe, Bill Woodfull and Bill Ponsford. It was the prospect of bowling at this line-up that caused England's 1932-33 captain Douglas Jardine to adopt bodyline which involved bowling at the body of the batsman. This caused a serious diplomatic rift between the two countries and Jardine famously remarked, "I've not travelled 6,000 miles to make friends. I'm here to win the Ashes"!
Of the interesting statistics of the Ashes so far: Australia have won the series most number of times since 1882, 31 times. The most runs scored were by Sir Donald Bradman, 5,028 runs. Shane Warne is the highest wicket taker in the Ashes, with 195 wickets.
