The origins of cricket's oldest international contest go back to 1882, when the third Australian team to tour England achieved the unthinkable. Until then, the English had never been beaten on home soil. But Australia, led by WL Murdoch, shocked the "Mother Country" when England, even with the legendary WG Grace in their ranks, lost by seven runs, Aussie fast bowler Fred Spofforth taking 14 wickets for 90 runs. The following day, a mock obituary ran in the Sporting Times "in affectionate remembrance of English cricket, which died at the Oval on 29th August, 1882".

It added: "The body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia." Those mythical ashes became a reality when the next England team toured to Australia.

The Hon Ivo Bligh was presented with an urn containing the burnt remains of a bail after beating the home side 2-1. Thus "The Ashes" were now a tangible sporting prize. To this day, the Ashes remain the ultimate trophy in a bi-annual cricket competition between England and Australia and although the winner never takes physical possession of the original trophy, a copy is always presented to the victorious team captain. The original Ashes urn remains locked away in the vaults of the MCC and has been deemed too precious to be handled.