The Ashes History

With the latest round of one of the worlds most bitterly fought contests in the sporting calendar about to commence – I mean of course the 2009 Ashes Test Series between England and Australia, it is but right that we should look back to past clashes between these two mighty adversaries in cricket to learn where the history of the enmity between these two sides originated.

The Ashes Test Series dates back to 1882-83, when the then national sides of Australia and England played a game at the Oval which in 1882 England lost. It originated from a newspaper article stating that English cricket had died and its body would be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia. Hence the 1882-83 series in Australia was considered to be the first Ashes series as the England team went on a vengeful quest to regain the Ashes. This they duly did and upon winning, England were presented with a small urn with the ashes of an unknown object – often stated to be a bail – the original is now in the museum at Lord's. A replica is given to the winning captain of each Ashes Test series.

England dominated all of the early Ashes series winning 11 of the first 12 Test’s Australia's first win came in the ninth series – in 1891/92 in Australia. They have since become more successful. Of the 64 completed series, Australia has won 31 to England's 28 (with five drawn ) In the recent era Australia has become the dominant cricket team defeating England in nine of ten Ashes Tests.

What England cricket fan can forget the glorious 2005 Ashes Test when English cricket dominated the sports news and Michael Vaughan lifted the fabled urn. The series is destined to go down in history alongside along with three other Ashes series – Botham's Ashes, the Invincibles and of course the Bodyline Series.

The 1981 Ashes Test more commonly known as Botham's Ashes this was because of the heroic efforts of Sir Ian Botham. ( aka Beefy). He was commonly acknowledged the best player of the series, Ian Botham – or Beefy, turned the Ashes around. After one drawn game and one loss, England were heading for yet another defeat by the old enemy as they were made to follow on at Headingley. A huge 149 not out from Beefy, followed by an impressive eight wicket haul by Bob Willis, turned the tied in England's favour. Inspired by that win, England won further games and drew the last match to win the series 3-1. In all three of England's games in the 1981 Tests Sir Ian Botham was namedrightly man of the match.

The 1932-33 Ashes tour of Australia is one that has gone down as a black time in the annals of cricket history.The English cricket team were so worried by the batting skills of a certain Sir Donald Bradman that the bowlers set out to intentionally injure Bradman – and the other Aussie batsmen, hoping to force them to give away their wicket easily or even to retire hurt. The infamous Bodyline tests.

If you were to choose the best ever test side, the 1948 Australian cricket team arriving England led by Don Bradman would be a strong contender. It contained such cricketing greats as Sid Barnes, Ray Lindwall and Lindsay Hassett Known as the Invincibles they were the first Test match side to go undefeated for an entire tour, a total of 31 matches. This Ashes series saw “The Don” play his last ever Test match. As he went out to bat for the final time at the Oval, he was awarded a standing ovation. He needed just four runs to record a staggering career average of 100, unfortunately Bradman was bowled second ball without scoring a run and leaving his average stuck on 99.94 – still a fantastic feat.

The current Ashes series are five games long, having varied between six and seven, and been as low as a three-match series. The 2009 Ashes series will be the five-Test format and will start at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff- which will be the first ever Test match played there as England captained by Andrew Strauss look to make it two from two on home soil.

Ashes 2009 Test Series

1st Test: Wednesday 8 July – Sunday 12 July (Cardiff)

2nd Test: Thursday 16 July – Monday 20 July (Lords)

3rd Test: Thursday 30 July – Monday 3 August (Edgbaston)

4th Test: Friday 7 August – Tuesday 11 August (Headingley)

5th Test: Thursday 20 August – Monday 24 August (The Oval)