On this day: Birth of Ashes – one of the most iconic cricket rivalries

NEW DELHI: Few sporting rivalries are fiercer than the Ashes, with battered bodies and bloodied faces all part of more than a century of feuding between England and Australia.
Standing at little more than 10 centimetres (four inches) tall, the original Ashes urn resides in the Marylebone Cricket Club museum at the famous Lord’s ground in London.
The use of the term “Ashes” dates from England’s first home defeat against Australia at The Oval in London in 1882.
Following Australia’s victory, Sporting Times journalist Reginald Shirley Brooks printed a mock obituary of English cricket, saying: “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. RIP. The body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia”.

A few weeks later, England set off to tour Australia and, after a “social” match near Melbourne on Christmas Eve 1882, English captain Ivo Bligh was given a small terracotta urn as a symbol of the “Ashes” he had sworn to win back.
In 1998, Bligh’s 82-year-old daughter-in-law said the urn contains the remains of her mother-in-law’s veil, while others claim it is filled with the ashes of a burnt cricket bail.
In the 1932/33 “Bodyline” series, England, led by Douglas Jardine, deliberately aimed fast deliveries at Australian batters’ bodies rather than the stumps in the hope they would get out trying to protect themselves.
The aggressive tactic, led by England’s main strike bowler Harold Larwood was seen as unsporting, but unrepentant England won the series to the fury of their bruised opponents.
The 1981 series was named “Botham’s Ashes” after all-rounder Ian Botham‘s feats with bat and ball inspired England to victory.
Australia spinner Shane Warne provided one of the most iconic moments in Ashes history when his incredible “ball of the century” bowled Mike Gatting in 1993.
Arguably the greatest Ashes series was played in 2005 when England, powered by Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen, beat an Australia team packed with stars.
The tone for that series — England’s first Ashes triumph since 1986/87 — was set early in the first Test when Steve Harmison’s bouncer left Ricky Ponting with blood streaming down his face.
The last Ashes series, held in 2023 in England, ended in a 2-2 draw with Australia winning the first two Tests and England winning the third and the fifth Tests. The fourth Test was a draw.
Australia have now had their hands on the Ashes since 2018, and England would aim to win back the urn when they tour Australia in 2025-26.
The Ashes series is more than just a cricket contest; it’s a cultural event that captures the attention of fans worldwide, known for its fierce competition and historic significance.