The Ashes is cricket’s most famous rivalry between England and Australia
Abbie Meehan Sports Writer U-35s
06:00, 05 Dec 2025
The Ashes will continue this week in Brisbane(Image: Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Australia lead the Ashes 1-0 following an eight-wicket triumph over England in the opening Test. However, many fans may wonder why this legendary cricket battle between nations is known by its famous title.
The Ashes represents a historic cricket contest that has been contested in Test match format since 1882. England and Australia compete in this fixture every two years, with Australia boasting the superior record of victories and retentions.
Australia currently holds the Ashes title, having retained the trophy following the 2023 series, which ended in a draw. However, what are the roots behind the event, and why do both nations compete for a little old urn?
Here, Mirror Sport reveals the background of the Ashes and precisely what lies within the urn.
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Why is it called The Ashes?
The Ashes name stems from a mock death notice published in an English newspaper after Australia’s maiden Test cricket triumph on foreign soil in 1882. The defeat, which occurred on August 29 that year, represented a massive setback for English cricket who considered themselves the superior side.
The mock obituary appeared in the Sporting Times several days afterwards and read: “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. R.I.P.
The Ashes urn is one of sport’s most famous trophies(Image: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
“N.B. The body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia.”
When the England squad departed for Australia later that year, the press labelled this journey as the quest to “regain the Ashes,” and thus the name was created.
What is inside the urn that England and Australia compete for?
After England’s 2-1 victory in Australia, a group of local women, including his future wife, presented captain Ivo Bligh with a small urn. Bligh married Florence Rose Morphy in February 1884, and they had two sons and a daughter.
The urn was believed to hold the ashes of a burnt cricket bail, symbolising the rivalry between the two nations. The original urn is on permanent display at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London and is never awarded to the competition’s victor.
However, each year, a larger replica trophy is presented to the winning team.
