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The Ashes: Here's what you need to know about cricket's historic rivalry

Updated On: 18 November, 2025 11:34 AM IST | Sujay Shivalkar

As England and Australia gear up to engage in the much-anticipated Ashes series, here's all that you need to know about the historic rivalry (Pic: AFP)

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The Ashes Waterford Crystal Trophy and replica Urn (Pic: AFP)

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The Ashes Waterford Crystal Trophy and replica Urn (Pic: AFP)
Few sporting contests carry the history, drama and aura of the Ashes. Born from a mock newspaper obituary in 1882 and symbolised by a tiny urn, the rivalry between Australia and England has shaped more than a century of Test cricket

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Few sporting contests carry the history, drama and aura of the Ashes. Born from a mock newspaper obituary in 1882 and symbolised by a tiny urn, the rivalry between Australia and England has shaped more than a century of Test cricket

Cricket tests between the English and Australian teams started in 1877. According to the Marylebone Cricket Club, the Lord's-based custodian of the laws of the game, the term "Ashes" was first used in August 1882 in a satirical obituary for English cricket printed in The Sporting Times

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Cricket tests between the English and Australian teams started in 1877. According to the Marylebone Cricket Club, the Lord's-based custodian of the laws of the game, the term "Ashes" was first used in August 1882 in a satirical obituary for English cricket printed in The Sporting Times

The obituary reported that the body of English cricket would be cremated and the Ashes taken to Australia. English captain Ivo Bligh led a team to Australia later that year with a vow to reclaim the ashes

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The obituary reported that the body of English cricket would be cremated and the Ashes taken to Australia. English captain Ivo Bligh led a team to Australia later that year with a vow to reclaim the ashes

The Ashes series has evolved into a regular event, held approximately every two years and alternating between the two countries

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The Ashes series has evolved into a regular event, held approximately every two years and alternating between the two countries

The first match of the Ashes Test series is scheduled to be played from November 21 at the Optus Stadium in Perth

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The first match of the Ashes Test series is scheduled to be played from November 21 at the Optus Stadium in Perth

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