Ashes - The history of the urn

The Ashes series between Australia and England is definitely one of the biggest fixtures in Test match cricket. This anticipated clash of titans is not only awaited by the participating nations, but all over the world, and it has been there around 135 years since it's existence. It all started on 29th August 1882, when Australia won its first test match on the English soil, which inspired a young London journalist, Reginald Shirley Brooks, to write this mock obituary - “The body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia.”, which appeared in British Journal, Sporting Times. Responding to the post, the then English Captain Ivo Bligh declared during England's upcoming tour to Australia “We will win and regain the Ashes" Which they did eventually, as they beat Australia 2-1 at their home. And following the victory, a few Melbourne women gifted the English captain a small terracotta urn. Some believe that inside the urn is the ashes of the bells used during the 3rd Test match in Australia, other evidence suggests it's the remains of a ball. Till date, there have been 70 Ashes series, of which Australia has won 33 times, England 32 times, and the remaining 5 have been drawn.