Ashes (test cricket series)

The Ashes is a prestigious cricket series played between England and Australia, typically over five Test matches. It originated in 1882 when Australia unexpectedly defeated England, prompting a satirical obituary claiming English cricket had "died," and a mock urn was presented as a humorous trophy. The series symbolizes intense sporting rivalry and national pride, with the team that wins the majority of matches claiming the Ashes. The urn itself is a small, symbolic trophy believed to contain ashes of a cricket bail, representing the rivalry's historical and cultural significance.