ASHES URN

The Ashes is one of cricket's most legendary rivalries, played between England and Australia in a Test cricket series. The name originated from a satirical obituary published in a British newspaper, The Sporting Times, after Australia's victory at The Oval in 1882—its first Test win on English soil. The obituary humorously declared that English cricket had died and that "the body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia". Since then, the Ashes has been contested biennially, alternating between England and Australia. The series typically consists of five Test matches, and the team that wins the series holds the Ashes trophy until the next contest. If the series is drawn, the team that previously won retains the trophy. Australia has historically been the more successful team, winning 34 series and retaining the Ashes six times from draws, while England has won 32 series and retained the Ashes once. The original Ashes urn, believed to contain the ashes of a burnt cricket bail, remains at the MCC Museum at Lord’s, though a replica is presented to the winning team.