The first cricket Test between England and Australia was played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 1877, which Australia won by 45 runs. However, the legendary contest between these two fierce rivals didn't become known as the Ashes until five years later.

It was after Australia had defeated England at The Oval, in London, in 1882 that The Sporting Times newspaper published a mock obituary. It read;

In affectionate Remembrance of English Cricket

Which died at the Oval on 29th August 1881

Deeply lamented by a large circle of sorrowing

Friends and acquaintances. R.I.P.

NB: The body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia.

On a tour to Australia three months later, England captain Ivo Bligh was presented with an urn containing the remains of what was either a ball or a bail, the exact contents are the subject of immense debate.

Mr Bligh considered the urn as a personal gift, so it resided on his mantle piece until he died in 1927. Since then it has found a permanent home in the MCC Museum at the home of cricket, Lords.

Even though it stands barely three inches high, the fragile little urn has become the most sought after trophy in world cricket.

With the 2009 series set to start in Cardiff, Wales tonight, the history book so far list 316 Ashes tests to date. Australia leads with 131 victories to England's 97, with 88 matches finishing in a draw. Australia has been dominant over the past 20 years, having lost only one of the ten series played in that time.

However, regardless of any form lines, an Ashes series will always capture the imagination of the cricketing world. The entire English team was even presented with MBEs by the Queen following their historic 2-1 triumph in 2005.

The term 'Ashes' has become so ingrained in Australian and English vocabulary, that is it now applied to any sporting contest between the two nations. But whatever the sport, and whatever the occasion, the prospect of either nation getting 'one up' on the other is enough of an incentive to ensure the Ashes will always be a term that stirs up the emotions.

Over the years, Ashes battles have often taken an almost war-like turn. The most infamous of these occurrences was the 1932-33 series in Australia, known as the 'Bodyline' series.

After Donald Bradman had taken the English attack apart in the previous series in England, scoring a still record 974 runs at an average of 139.14, England knew they needed to stop him if they were to stand any chance of

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