An introduction to the Ashes

The Ashes is a Test cricket series played between England and Australia. Since it began, Australia has come out on top, having won the most matches. The Australian team has won 33, England 32, and five series have ended in a draw. If the series is drawn, the team that currently holds the trophy will keep it for another season.

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Where does the name come from?

The name originates from a small pot, known as an urn, that was given to a former England cricket captain in the 1880s. Australia had triumphed over England and someone inserted an advertisement in the Sporting Times, an English newspaper, describing how England had died and its body had been cremated or burned.

An Ashes series comprises five Tests, hosted by England and Australia. The tests take place at least every two years and there have been 70 Ashes series altogether.

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England and Australia were on an even footing until the first world war began in 1914. In 1905, England captain Stanley Jackson took the team to victory, winning the series 2-0. Monty Noble as captain helped Australia to secure a victory in both the 1907-08 and 1909 tests. England enjoyed a win in 1911-12, winning four matches to one.

Rugby also popular in British colonies

Cricket is just one of many sports enjoyed by people of all ages. The aim is to score as many points as possible against the opposing team, as is customary with any sport. Each team has 11 players and take it in turns to field and bat. Points are scored by running from one side to the other before the game ends or you are put out by the opponents.

Another popular sport is rugby, which has millions of participants worldwide. Rugby is popular in many of the former and current British colonies, including New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Fiji and Canada. Coaches wishing to improve or be inspired to become more creative with their rugby drills can check out resources such as https://www.sportplan.net/drills/rugby.

According to the Guardian, England has plenty of work to do to regain the Ashes in Australia in two years’ time.

Australia currently holds The Ashes and cricket is the country’s favourite sport. There are over 100 countries that play cricket, so it remains a much-loved pastime.