Top 6 Facts About The Ashes Series You Probably Don’t Know

Often hailed as one of the longest and most intense cricket rivalries between the arch-rivals England and Australia, the Ashes Series consists of five test matches hosted alternatively by both teams after a gap of roughly two years.

One of the longest-running face-offs in the history of cricket, the Ashes Series, was first played between England and Australia in the 1882-83 Ashes Series at the iconic Oval Stadium in London, England, where Australia managed to beat England by seven wickets.

Ever since, the Ashes Series has been putting forward a saga of dramatic confrontations, intense rivalries and shocking moments for the cricket aficionados. The most recent five-match 2023 Ashes Series resulted in a 2-2 draw with Australia retaining the Ashes as they clinched the previous edition.

In this article we will take a look at the top six lesser-known facts behind the Ashes.

Top 6 Facts About The Ashes You Probably Don’t Know

• The “Birth” Of The Ashes

Although England and Australia witnessed their first-ever intense test face-off in 1882 at the Oval in London, it was only after a satirical testimonial about English cricket was published in “The Sporting Times” in 1887 that the term “Ashes” came into existence.

The satirical testimonial published in “The Sporting Times”, an English newspaper, humorously declared that English cricket had “died” and that its “body will be cremated, and the ashes will be taken to Australia.” Well, the testimonial instantly grabbed the attention of millions of cricket aficionados from all over the world and ultimately gave rise to the concept of “Ashes”.

• The Ashes “Urn”

The trophy of the Ashes Series between England and Australia is often hailed as the “Urn”. According to past reports and sources, the Urn at the Ashes is made up of the ashes of a cricket bat, bail, and stump, which symbolizes the “death” of English cricket after they lost the historic inaugural edition of the Ashes Series at the Oval in 1887.

The “Urn”, which serves as a symbol of the intense cricketing rivalry between England and Australia, is currently housed at the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) Museum at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London and a replica trophy of the Urn is presented to the winning team.

• The “Urn” Contents Are Still A Mystery

While most of the cricket aficionados and critics believe that the Ashes Urn is made up of the ashes of a cricket bat, bail or a stump, there’s still no concrete evidence to support the claims. There are many other alternative theories behind the content of the Urn that is currently displayed at the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) Museum in London.

Ivo Bligh, the England skipper who received the Urn as a trophy for the very first time, claimed that the Urn contained the ashes of Florence Morphy’s wedding veil.

• The Smallest Victory Margin At The Ashes

Well, if you’re a fan of the Ashes, you would agree with us when we claim that the second test match of the Ashes Series 2005, the Edgbaston Test, is still one of the most thrilling and intense matches ever witnessed in the history of the Ashes Series.

Steve Harmison’s short delivery that dismissed England’s Michael Kasprowicz in the final over of the match sealed England’s most dramatic and shocking 2-run victory at the Edgbaston Test.

• The First Telecasted Version Of The Ashes

Although the Ashes Series started way back in 1882, it was only during the 1938 Ashes Series between England and Australia that the concept of “Ashes” passed the significant milestone of broadcasting.

Although it was challenging to broadcast the Ashes even in 1938, broadcasting was still an alienated concept and was only limited to London. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) telecasted the 1938 Ashes Series, which ended up in a draw, with Australia retaining the Ashes as the holders.

• “No Toss” At The Centenary Test (1977)

The 100th anniversary of the first-ever test match between England and Australia in 1877 was commemorated by both teams in 1977 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Since Australia had won the match and elected to bat first during the first-ever test match, the same decision was replicated during the centenary test in 1977 and Australia was mutually allowed to bat first by both the teams foregoing the toss.

Additionally, numerous other attempts were also made to replicate the elements and relive the nostalgia of the inaugural test match between England and Australia in 1877 as both the test matches – the inaugural and, centenarian were held at the same venue; the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).