Why England vs Australia white-ball bilateral series is not called 'The Ashes'

The first ever England vs Australia Ashes series was played in 1882.

The famous Ashes series consists of test matches between England and Australia, which is cricket’s most historic rivalry and one of the longest-running face-offs in all sports.

These two nations face each other about every two years now, with the winners claiming one of the most iconic trophies in cricket – ‘The Ashes Urn.’ The series is held alternately in England and Australia. The two sides have been facing off each other in the Ashes series since 1882-83.

What is the history of the Ashes? How is started?

Cricket’s oldest rivalry, the Ashes, began way back in 1882 when England were thrashed at the Oval for the first time by Australia. The series defeat shocked the cricketing world at that time and prompted The Sporting Times newspaper to print a satirical joke on the ‘death of English cricket.’

The newspaper read: “In affectionate remembrance of English cricket which died at The Oval, 29th August, 1882. Deeply lamented by a large circle of sorrowing friends and acquaintances, RIP. NB – The body will be cremated and the Ashes taken to Australia.”

Then, when England toured Australia in 1882-83, England captain Ivo Bligh promised to ‘regain the Ashes’ while the opponent skipper vowed to defend it. The Three Lions suffered a defeat in the first test but bounced back by winning the next two matches, and hence Bligh fulfilled the wish he made before the series.

After the series, England’s skipper Bligh was given a small terracotta urn as a symbol of the ashes that he had travelled to Australia. 

Post Bligh’s death in 1927, his wife Florence passed the urn to the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), which is now kept in the Lord’s museum. A replica is given to the victorious team that wins the Ashes series.

The Ashes Today

In the 1990s, both nations desired to compete for an actual Ashes trophy. The England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket Australia (CA) had a discussion and decided to introduce an urn-shaped Waterford Crystal trophy, which was commissioned by the MCC.

This was the first presented to Australia’s Mark Taylor after his side defeated England in the 1998-99 test series. Since then, the historic trophy has been presented to the winning skipper at the end of each of the ENG vs AUS test series. When a series is drawn, the team holding the Ashes trophy retains it.

At the time of writing, England and Australia have played 345 Ashes test matches. Australia have won 142 games, whereas England have 110 victories to their name.

Why England vs Australia white-ball bilateral series is not called The Ashes?

The first-ever Ashes series was played in 1882, when ODI cricket wasn’t played. Only the test series between England and Australia is played for ‘The Ashes’ urn trophy, not white-ball series.

The first-ever ODI match was played between England and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 1971. Interestingly, this was a last-minute replacement for a washed-out Ashes test.

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