The Ashes series is a test match series played between England and Australia for the last 137 years. This series is played alternatively in these two countries at least once every two years. The Ashes series was started in 1882. Australia has won this series 34 times while England won it 32 times.
History of Ashes Series:
The Ashes series was started in 1882 when the Australian team had won the first test by 7 runs on England soil. This defeat was published as the satirical obituary by the Journalist Shirley Brooks in 'The Sporting Times'. The obituary stated that English cricket had died, and "the body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia". So, the term 'Ashes' originated satirically.
When the England team went to Australia the same year after this defeat and won the series 2–1, the victory was described as bringing Ash (ash) back to England. From here, the test series between the two countries came to be called the Ashes Series.
The Ashes urn, made of terracotta is reputed to contain the ashes of a burnt cricket bail. The Ashes urn is tall around 15 cm or 6 inches. The winning team keeps the Ashes urn as a winning trophy.
About Ashes Test Series
The Ashes series is a test cricket series played between England and Australia for the last 137 years. There are 71 Ashes series played so far and Australia has won this series 34 times while England won 32 times and 5 series drawn.
If I talk about the overall history of the Ashes series; it is retained for 81 years by the Australian team while the England team retained for 56 years. This trophy is kept by the winning team and if the series is drawn then this trophy is kept by the defending champion. Australia has emerged victorious in the last 2 Ashes series. In 2019 the series was leveled in 2-2 but Aussies retained the trophy while in 2021-22 Ashes the Aussies defeated England by 4-0.
England under the leadership of Ben Stokes is looking strong. They will make sure Aussies will not win this time. 2023 Ashes will start from 16 June till 31st July.
Check out below some must read incidents from Ashes History:
