Ashes is the legendry biennial Test series played between Australia and England. This traditional rivalry started in 1882 where Australia won the series beating England. This loss was reported by the media as the “Death of England’s cricket and the body will be cremated and Ashes will be taken back to Australia”. This led to great sporting rivalry between the two nations and from then on whenever England and Australia lock horns in Test cricket the series is called Ashes.

Traditionally, Ashes is 5- Test Match series between Australia and England and the winner is presented with trophy containing the urn which are reputed to be the ashes of an item of cricket equipment, possibly a bail, ball or stump. However, the teams are presented with replicas and not the original urn. The original urn is kept in Marylebone Cricket Club Museum at Lords .

The tournament is hosted in England and Australia alternately. Cricket being a summer sport, and the venues being in opposite hemispheres means the break between series alternates between 18 and 30 months.

Ashes facts

A team must win a series to gain the right to hold the Ashes. A drawn series results in the previous holders retaining the Ashes. Sixty-four series have been played, with Australia winning 31 and England 28. The remaining five series were drawn, with Australia retaining the Ashes four times (1938, 1962–63, 1965–66, 1968) and England retaining it once (1972). The win-loss ratio in Ashes Tests. (up to and including the 2006/07 series) stands at 121 wins for Australia to 95 wins for England, with 84 draws.