The Ashes, the Oldest Rivalry in Cricket

The Ashes began as a mock obituary in 1882 after Australia beat England at The Oval for the first time, announcing the death of English cricket and the body to be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia.

The urn, small enough to hold in one hand, became the prize.

Don Bradman defined the series, Botham Headingley electrified it in 1981, and the 2005 edition, decided 2-1, is called the greatest series ever played..