The Ashes

The Ashes is a test cricket series played between England and Australia. The term was originated in a British Newspaper immediately after Australia 1882 victory at the Oval, their first Test win on English soil. The obituary stated that English Cricket had died and the body will be cremated and the Ashes taken to Australia. The mythical ashes immediately became associated with 1882-83 series played in Australia, before which the English Captain Ivo Bligh had vowed to regain those Ashes.

After England had won two of the three tests on the tour, a small urn was presented to Bligh. The contents of the urn are reputed to be the Ashes of a wooden bail and were humorously described as Ashes of Australian Cricket. An Ashes series is traditionally of five tests, hosted in turn by Australia and England. Australia is the current holder, having won all of five tests. Out of 68 Ashes Series played, 32 are won by Australia & 31 by England and 5 remain as draw.

The 2015 Ashes series is hosted by England. In Last five Ashes encounters, three series are won by England. In overall, 320 Tests matches had been played out of which 128 are won by England and 103 by England. Rest of the test matches resulted in a draw. Don Bradman is the highest run maker in Ashes. Out of 37 matches he hit 19 centuries and scored more than 5000 runs at an average of 89 which is a record. Shane Warne had played Ashes for 14 years and taken 195 wickets which is a record.

In the current series, key players from Australia are Steven Smith, Michael Clarke, Mitchell Starc, Chris Rogers, and Mitchell Johnson. From England key players are Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Moen Ali, Alastair Cook, Joe Root, and Ben Stokes. The last time Australia had won Ashes in England was in back 2001, when they won Ashes by 4-1. Since then Australia had never won Ashes in England. They will try to break this streak in this year while England will play to regain their lost momentum and revenge last Ashes Clean Sweep. Stay tuned for the result.